build from nothing. ⚒️
A global CLI that takes a developer from an empty folder to a scaffolded, git-ready project through a conversational AI interview. No config. No assumptions. Never leaves the terminal.
v0.3.0-beta — full flow is functional end-to-end: interview → blueprint → repo → workflow → build.
npm install -g groundup-cli@betaAlways install with
@betato get the latest version. Runningnpm install -g groundup-cliwithout the tag may install an older release.
The welcome screen runs automatically on install.
groundup dig my-projectThat's it. groundup takes it from there.
| # | Phase | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| 01 | Seed | Answer two questions — what are you building and what kind of thing is it |
| 02 | Providers | Pick your AI providers and models for interview and build phases |
| 03 | Interview | AI conducts an adaptive interview to shape your blueprint |
| 04 | Blueprint | Review and approve your full project spec |
| 05 | Repo | Git init, host selection, push to develop |
| 06 | Workflow | AI generates a phased execution plan (WORKFLOW.md) from your blueprint — review and approve |
| 07 | Build | groundup dispatches each workflow phase to your chosen AI agent, one at a time. After each phase: review the recap and diff, then approve, retry with feedback, or abort. Resume any time with groundup continue. |
| 08 | Teardown | Option to clean up .groundup/ project files, then the done screen |
| Command | Description |
|---|---|
groundup dig [name] |
Start a new project |
groundup continue |
Resume a paused session |
groundup site |
View current session details |
groundup site-clear |
Discard session and start fresh |
groundup foreman |
Full command reference and help |
groundup update-models |
Refresh available models from provider APIs |
| Key | Action |
|---|---|
h |
Contextual help for current question |
ctrl+o |
Expand decisions list |
/ |
Commands reference |
ctrl+c |
Quit with confirmation |
| File | Description |
|---|---|
README.md |
Project name, purpose, and ⚒️ footnote |
.gitignore |
With .groundup/ excluded |
.groundup/BLUEPRINT.md |
Your approved project spec |
.groundup/WORKFLOW.md |
Phased execution plan generated from blueprint |
.groundup/GROUNDUP.md |
Agent-agnostic project instructions |
.groundup/agents/ |
Agent-specific context files |
.groundup/phases/ |
Per-phase prompt and recap files |
| Provider | Notes |
|---|---|
| Claude Code | Local — uses your claude.ai subscription |
| Anthropic API | claude-sonnet / claude-opus |
| OpenAI | gpt-4o / gpt-4o-mini |
| Gemini | gemini-2.5-pro / flash |
| Ollama | Local — llama3 |
| GitHub Copilot | Coming soon |
No assumptions. Ever. groundup never installs, configures, or recommends anything you didn't explicitly confirm.
Stay in the terminal. From empty folder to shipped project without leaving the terminal once.
Blueprint before build. Nothing gets built until you've read and approved the blueprint. The spec is the contract.
Your project is yours. No lock-in. No injected dependencies. No runtime dependency on groundup. Walk away any time.
BMAD is for teams orchestrating AI agents. groundup is for one developer with an idea and an empty folder.
MIT — see LICENSE
See CONTRIBUTING.md