Create

Create the smallest agent system that can prove one useful outcome. Add capabilities only when the workflow requires them.

Scaffold and prove

recipes create ./my-recipe
recipes check ./my-recipe
recipes setup
pi --recipe ./my-recipe --agent agent

recipes create scaffolds files but does not install the companion Pi extension. Run setup before the first direct local launch. A later recipes install also performs setup automatically when needed.

The starter separates recipe-wide instructions in SYSTEM.md from specialized behavior in agents/agent.yaml. An agent's skills list selects the skills Pi discovers for that agent. Add skills for reusable procedure and extensions when the agent needs new Pi-native tools or lifecycle behavior. See the composition guide.

Canonical guide

Follow the maintained recipe flow for the complete create, check, and run contract.