# Elsa Initialize Agent Preferences

> Bootstrap Elsa local agent preferences. Use when .agent-prefs has no preference files other than .gitkeep, or when a user asks to set up repository-local agent preferences for Git workflow, session execution model, or other personal workflow choices.

- Skill: `elsa-workflows/elsa-initialize-agent-preferences` (Agent Skill)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add elsa-workflows/elsa-initialize-agent-preferences`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/elsa-workflows/elsa-initialize-agent-preferences/raw
- Safety review: pending
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: AI & ML
- Author: elsa-workflows (https://skillmd.com/u/elsa-workflows)
- Updated: 2026-09-17
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/elsa-workflows/elsa-initialize-agent-preferences

---


## User Input

```text
$ARGUMENTS
```

## Outline

1. Read `AGENTS.md#personal-operating-preferences`.
2. Read `docs/skills/catalog.md#initialize-agent-preferences`.
3. Read `docs/reference/agent-preferences.md#expected-preference-files` to discover known preference files and ask triggers.
4. Read `docs/reference/git-operating-models.md` only when Git workflow setup is relevant.
5. If `.agent-prefs/` already has preference files besides `.gitkeep`, summarize the existing preferences and do not overwrite them without explicit user approval.
6. Ask brief setup questions only for preferences needed by the current task.
7. Create selected local `.agent-prefs/*.md` files using `docs/skills/catalog.md#create-agent-preference`.
8. Leave skipped preferences unset; deciding per session is valid.

Never commit `.agent-prefs/*.md`; only `.agent-prefs/.gitkeep` may be committed.