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

# theo init

> Initialize Theo in a project — creates config, detects IDEs, writes MCP configs.

```bash theme={null}
theo init [directory]
```

`theo init` sets up Theo in your project by:

1. **Creating `theo.config.json`** — project-level config with persona, skills, and default mode
2. **Detecting installed IDEs** — Cursor, Claude Code, Warp, Windsurf, VS Code
3. **Writing MCP configs** — correct JSON for each detected IDE (see [MCP / Overview](/mcp/overview))
4. **Generating `.theo/RULES.md`** — context file so IDE agents know how to use Theo

## Example

```bash theme={null}
$ theo init
[theo] Initializing Theo in this project...

[theo]   ✓ Created theo.config.json

[theo] Detecting IDEs...
[theo]   Found: Cursor, Warp

[theo] Writing MCP configurations...
[theo]   ✓ Cursor: .cursor/mcp.json
[theo]   ✓ Warp: .warp/mcp.json

[theo] Generating agent context...
[theo]   ✓ Created .theo/RULES.md

[theo] ✅ Theo initialized!
```

## What It Creates

### theo.config.json

```json theme={null}
{
  "persona": "You are an AI assistant for the my-project project.",
  "skills": [],
  "defaultMode": "auto"
}
```

### MCP Config (per IDE)

```json theme={null}
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "theo": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "@hitheo/mcp"],
      "env": { "THEO_API_KEY": "${env:THEO_API_KEY}" }
    }
  }
}
```