> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.fased.ai/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Agent Bootstrapping

# Agent Bootstrapping

Bootstrapping is the **first‑run** ritual that prepares an agent workspace and
collects identity details. It happens after onboarding, when the agent starts
for the first time.

## What bootstrapping does

On the first agent run, Fased bootstraps the workspace (default
`~/.fased/workspace`):

* Seeds `AGENTS.md`, `SOUL.md`, `TOOLS.md`, `IDENTITY.md`, `USER.md`,
  `HEARTBEAT.md`, `MEMORY.md`, and `memory/`.
* Seeds `BOOTSTRAP.md` only for a brand-new workspace that has not already
  completed onboarding.
* Runs a short Q\&A ritual (one question at a time).
* Writes identity + preferences to `IDENTITY.md`, `USER.md`, `SOUL.md`.
* Removes `BOOTSTRAP.md` when finished so it only runs once.

The canonical memory file is uppercase `MEMORY.md`. A lowercase `memory.md` can
be loaded as a legacy/alternate memory root when present, but it is not the
default file.

## Where it runs

Bootstrapping always runs on the **gateway host**. If the macOS app connects to
a remote Gateway, the workspace and bootstrapping files live on that remote
machine.

<Note>
  When the Gateway runs on another machine, edit workspace files on the gateway
  host (for example, `user@gateway-host:~/.fased/workspace`).
</Note>

## Related docs

* macOS local app surface: [Onboarding](/start/onboarding)
* Workspace layout: [Agent workspace](/concepts/agent-workspace)