---
name: trellis-meta
description: "Understand and customize the local Trellis architecture inside a user project. Use when modifying .trellis plus platform hooks, settings, agents, skills, commands, prompts, or workflows generated by trellis init."
---

# Trellis Meta

This skill is for local Trellis users who have already run `trellis init` in a project. After
reading it, an AI should understand the Trellis architecture, operating model, and customization
entry points inside that user project, then modify the generated `.trellis/` and platform directory
files according to the user's request.

The default operating scope is local files in the user project:

- `.trellis/`: workflow, config, tasks, spec, workspace, scripts, and runtime state.
- Platform directories: `.claude/`, `.codex/`, `.cursor/`, `.opencode/`, `.kiro/`, `.gemini/`,
  `.qoder/`, `.codebuddy/`, `.github/`, `.factory/`, `.pi/`, `.kilocode/`, `.agent/`, `.windsurf/`,
  and similar directories.
- Shared skill layer: `.agents/skills/`.

Do not assume the user has the Trellis source repository. Do not default to modifying the global npm
install directory or `node_modules`.

## How To Use

1. Read `references/local-architecture/overview.md` first to establish the local Trellis system
   model.
2. If the request involves a specific AI tool, read `references/platform-files/platform-map.md` and
   the relevant platform file notes.
3. If the user wants to change behavior, read `references/customize-local/overview.md`, then open
   the specific customization topic.
4. Before editing, read the actual files in the user project and treat local content as
   authoritative.

## References

### Local Architecture

- `references/local-architecture/overview.md`: The three-layer local Trellis architecture and
  customization principles.
- `references/local-architecture/generated-files.md`: Files generated by `trellis init` and their
  customization boundaries.
- `references/local-architecture/workflow.md`: Phases, routing, and workflow-state blocks in
  `.trellis/workflow.md`.
- `references/local-architecture/task-system.md`: Task directories, active tasks, JSONL context, and
  task runtime.
- `references/local-architecture/spec-system.md`: How `.trellis/spec/` is organized and injected.
- `references/local-architecture/workspace-memory.md`: `.trellis/workspace/`, journals, and
  cross-session memory.
- `references/local-architecture/context-injection.md`: Hooks, sub-agent preludes, and context
  injection paths.

### Platform Files

- `references/platform-files/overview.md`: How shared `.trellis/` files relate to platform
  directories.
- `references/platform-files/platform-map.md`: Platform directories and paths for skills, agents,
  hooks, and extensions.
- `references/platform-files/hooks-and-settings.md`: How settings/config files, hooks, plugins, and
  extensions connect to Trellis.
- `references/platform-files/agents.md`: Local file responsibilities for `trellis-research`,
  `trellis-implement`, and `trellis-check`.
- `references/platform-files/skills-and-commands.md`: Differences between skills, commands, prompts,
  and workflows, plus how to change them.

### Local Customization

- `references/customize-local/overview.md`: Choose the right local customization entry point for the
  user's request.
- `references/customize-local/change-workflow.md`: Change phases, routing, next actions, and
  workflow-state.
- `references/customize-local/change-task-lifecycle.md`: Change task creation, status, archive
  behavior, and hooks.
- `references/customize-local/change-context-loading.md`: Change how tasks, specs, journals, and
  hook context are loaded.
- `references/customize-local/change-hooks.md`: Change platform hooks, settings, and shell session
  bridges.
- `references/customize-local/change-agents.md`: Change research, implement, and check agent
  behavior.
- `references/customize-local/change-skills-or-commands.md`: Add or modify local skills, commands,
  prompts, and workflows.
- `references/customize-local/change-spec-structure.md`: Adjust the project spec structure under
  `.trellis/spec/`.
- `references/customize-local/add-project-local-conventions.md`: Put team rules into project-local
  specs or local skills.

## Current Rules

- `.trellis/workflow.md` is the local workflow source of truth.
- `.trellis/config.yaml` is the project-level Trellis configuration and task hook configuration
  entry point.
- `.trellis/spec/` stores the user's project-specific coding conventions and design constraints.
- `.trellis/tasks/` stores task PRDs, technical notes, research files, and JSONL context.
- `.trellis/workspace/` stores developer journals and cross-session memory.
- Platform settings/config files decide which hooks, agents, skills, commands, prompts, and
  workflows actually run.
- `.trellis/.template-hashes.json` and `.trellis/.runtime/` are management/runtime state files.
  Confirm necessity before editing them.

## Do Not

- Do not treat Trellis upstream source code as the default target for local customization.
- Do not modify the global npm install directory or `node_modules/@mindfoldhq/trellis` to implement
  project needs.
- Do not overwrite user-modified local files with default templates.
- Do not put team-private project rules into the public `trellis-meta`; put project rules in
  `.trellis/spec/` or a project-local skill.
- Do not describe removed historical mechanisms as current Trellis behavior.