New Config

Create a new smug configuration

Scaffold a new smug session config by interviewing the user with the AskUserQuestion tool, then writing a valid YAML file in the smug format.

Do not write the file until you have asked the questions below. Ask in small batches, infer sensible defaults, and only ask what you can't infer.

1. Gather requirements (interactive)

Ask with AskUserQuestion. Group related questions into a single call when you can. Always offer a clear default and let the user override via "Other".

1. Session name — the tmux session name (session:). Suggest the current directory's basename as the default.
2. Where to save — one of:
   • .smug.yml in the current working directory (used by default by smug).
   • ~/.config/smug/<session>.yml (loadable as smug start <session>).
   • A custom path the user types.
3. Root directory — the session root: (where windows start). Default . for a cwd config, or the cwd's absolute path for a ~/.config/smug config.
4. Windows — ask how many windows and, for each, the name and what it runs (e.g. "editor", "server", "tests"). Keep it light; one window with a command is a fine minimal config. Only dig into panes/layout if the user wants a split window.
5. Optional extras — only ask if the user signals they want them:
   • attach: true (auto-attach after creation).
   • env: variables.
   • before_start: / stop: commands (e.g. docker-compose up -d).
   • attach_hook: / detach_hook:.

If the user says "just give me a basic one" or similar, skip straight to a minimal config (session + root + one window) — don't force the full interview.

2. Smug config schema (reference)

Generate YAML matching this structure. Omit empty/optional fields.

session: my_project        # tmux session name (required)
root: ~/code/my_project    # base dir for the session
attach: true               # optional: auto-attach after creation (default false)

env:                       # optional: environment variables
  FOO: bar

before_start:              # optional: runs once before the session is created
  - docker-compose up -d
stop:                      # optional: runs once before the session is killed
  - docker-compose stop

attach_hook: echo hi       # optional: runs each time first client attaches
detach_hook: echo bye      # optional: runs each time last client detaches

windows:
  - name: code             # window name
    root: .                # optional: path relative to session root
    selected: true         # optional: focus this window on start
    manual: false          # optional: only start via `-w` when true
    layout: main-vertical  # optional: tmux layout (e.g. tiled, main-horizontal)
    commands:              # commands run in the window's first pane
      - $EDITOR .
    panes:                 # optional: extra split panes
      - type: horizontal   # horizontal | vertical
        root: .            # optional
        commands:
          - npm run dev

Notes:

• session is the only truly required field. A useful minimal config is session + root + one windows entry with a commands list.
• ${var} in the YAML is substituted from custom settings passed on the CLI (smug start project var=value) or the environment — only use it if the user asks for parameterization.
• Quote nothing unnecessarily; keep it idiomatic, readable YAML.

3. Write and confirm

1. Write the file to the chosen path with the Write tool. If saving to ~/.config/smug/, expand ~ to the home directory and ensure the directory exists (it normally does — smug creates it).
2. Show the generated YAML to the user.
3. Tell them how to use it:
   • cwd .smug.yml: smug start
   • ~/.config/smug/<session>.yml: smug start <session>
   • custom path: smug start -f <path>
4. Offer to validate it. If a smug binary is on PATH, run smug print -f <path> (parses the config and prints the tmux commands without starting a session). Inside this repo you can instead run go run . print -f <path>. If it errors, fix the YAML and retry.

Keep the result minimal and tailored to what the user actually asked for — no speculative windows, panes, or hooks they didn't request.