STARTUP.md
Runs once after cloning. Personalizes the template, fills in identity files, and confirms the system is ready.
Open guideDocumentation
Everything CenterOS is.
The lightweight AI operating system for building a personalized home for your AI: workflows, wikis, memory, templates, and repeatable systems.
5
Core files
4
System areas
1
Startup command
Overview
What CenterOS is
CenterOS is a cloneable AI operating system. It turns a plain repo into a structured workspace where an AI can learn your preferences, follow your rules, run documented workflows, and maintain useful knowledge over time.
It is intentionally lightweight. The system uses Markdown files, simple folders, relative paths, and append-only logs so anyone can inspect it, change it, and move it between tools.
Start Here
The first command
After cloning the template, open the repo in your AI coding harness and say:
Read STARTUP.md and follow its instructions.The startup process asks a short questionnaire, replaces identity placeholders, and converts the public template into your own personalized AI operating system.
BOOTSTRAP.md
Loads the AI's operating context for normal sessions after the first-run setup is complete.
View referenceArchitecture
Explains how workflows, wikis, memory, templates, and logs fit together as one operating system.
Read architectureArchitecture
The CenterOS spine
Workflows
Repeatable procedures live in workflows/. Each workflow documents what it needs, what it produces, and the steps the AI should follow.
Wikis
Knowledge bases live in wikis/. Raw source material stays immutable while synthesized pages build a useful reference layer.
Memory
Durable memory lives in memory/. It stores durable preferences, decisions, feedback, and context inside the repo.
Templates
Reusable scaffolds live in templates/. They keep new workflows and wikis consistent.
Logs
Append-only logs record meaningful workflow runs and system changes so future sessions can see what happened.
System Index
SYSTEM_INDEX.md is the internal map of the personalized operating system after startup.
Operating Rules
The rules that keep it usable
- Every important directory explains itself with
CONTEXT.md. - Every active component keeps an append-only
LOG.md. - Project files use paths relative to the repo root.
- Workflows are self-contained and documented where they live.
- The AI reads context before acting.
90-10 Protocol
Use code for the repeatable parts
CenterOS pushes deterministic work into scripts and repeatable procedures whenever practical. AI judgment is reserved for summarization, writing, nuanced classification, ambiguous interpretation, and decisions that actually need context.
Reference
Core file reference
STARTUP.mdFirst-run setup and questionnaire.
BOOTSTRAP.mdEvery-session loading instructions.
AGENTS.mdOperating rules for Codex and compatible harnesses.
CLAUDE.mdOperating rules for Claude and compatible harnesses.
SOUL.mdAI identity, purpose, disposition, and writing rules.
PRINCIPAL.mdUser profile and collaboration preferences.
SYSTEM_INDEX.mdInternal map of the operating system.