CtrlK
BlogDocsLog inGet started
Tessl Logo

bl-init

Initialize git-branchless in the current repository from the current branch

81

Quality

77%

Does it follow best practices?

Impact

Pending

No eval scenarios have been run

SecuritybySnyk

Passed

No known issues

Optimize this skill with Tessl

npx tessl skill review --optimize ./plugins/git-workflow/skills/bl-init/SKILL.md
SKILL.md
Quality
Evals
Security

/bl-init - Git-Branchless Repository Initialization

Category: Git Workflow

Initialize git-branchless in the current repository, using the current branch as the main branch by default. Automatically detaches HEAD so you're ready to start stacking commits.

Usage

/bl-init [options]

Options

OptionDescription
(none)Initialize using current branch as main, then detach HEAD
--main-branch <branch>Specify a different branch as main
--no-detachInitialize without detaching HEAD

Examples

# Initialize with current branch as main
/bl-init

# Initialize with a specific branch as main
/bl-init --main-branch develop

Execution

This command delegates to the bl-init-expert agent:

Task(subagent_type="git-workflow:bl-init-expert",
     prompt="Initialize git-branchless: <options>")

Execution Instructions

  1. Check Prerequisites

    • Verify this is a git repository
    • Check if git-branchless is installed
    • Check if already initialized
  2. Determine Main Branch

    • Use current branch if no --main-branch specified
    • Validate the branch exists
  3. Initialize Git-Branchless

    • Run git branchless init --main-branch <branch>
    • Configure recommended settings
  4. Detach HEAD (unless --no-detach)

    • Run git checkout --detach
    • This prepares you for the stacked commits workflow
  5. Verify Installation

    • Run git sl to confirm working
    • Show current state with detached HEAD
  6. Provide Next Steps

    • Explain basic commands (git sl, git sync, git submit)

Interactive Flow

User: /bl-init

Agent: Initializing git-branchless...

Current branch: main
Repository: /path/to/project

Checking prerequisites...
✓ Git repository detected
✓ git-branchless is installed (v0.9.0)
✗ Not yet initialized

Initializing with main branch: main

$ git branchless init --main-branch main
Created config file at .git/branchless/config
Installed hooks at .git/hooks/
branchless: processing 1 update: main

Detaching HEAD for stacked workflow...
$ git checkout --detach

✓ Git-branchless initialized successfully!

Current state:
◆ abc1234 (main) Latest commit message
┃
● abc1234 (HEAD)  ← You are here (detached)

Ready to stack commits! Next steps:
1. Use `git record -m "msg"` to create commits
2. Use `git sl` to see your commit stack
3. Use `git sync --pull` to sync with remote
4. Use `git submit` to create/update PRs
User: /bl-init
(already initialized)

Agent: Checking git-branchless status...

✓ Git-branchless is already initialized in this repository.

Current main branch: main
Config file: .git/branchless/config

Current state:
◆ abc1234 (main) Latest commit
┃
◯ def5678 Your feature commit

To reinitialize with different settings:
1. Remove: rm -rf .git/branchless .git/hooks/post-*
2. Run: /bl-init again
User: /bl-init --main-branch develop

Agent: Initializing git-branchless with develop as main...

$ git branchless init --main-branch develop
Created config file at .git/branchless/config
Installed hooks at .git/hooks/
branchless: processing 1 update: develop

Detaching HEAD for stacked workflow...
$ git checkout --detach

✓ Git-branchless initialized with main branch: develop
User: /bl-init --no-detach

Agent: Initializing git-branchless (without detaching)...

$ git branchless init --main-branch main
Created config file at .git/branchless/config
Installed hooks at .git/hooks/
branchless: processing 1 update: main

✓ Git-branchless initialized successfully!

Current state:
◆ abc1234 (main) Latest commit message

Note: HEAD is still attached to main.
When ready to stack commits, run: git checkout --detach

Error Handling

ErrorResolution
Not a git repositoryRun git init first
git-branchless not installedInstall with brew install git-branchless or cargo install git-branchless
Branch does not existList available branches, suggest correct one
Already initializedShow current config, offer reinit instructions
Repository
jpoutrin/product-forge
Last updated
Created

Is this your skill?

If you maintain this skill, you can claim it as your own. Once claimed, you can manage eval scenarios, bundle related skills, attach documentation or rules, and ensure cross-agent compatibility.