FAQ
Frequently asked questions about ContextForge.
Is ContextForge an MCP gateway?+
No. ContextForge is a repo-level AI-agent instruction installer. It does not proxy tool calls, intercept API requests, or act as middleware between your agent and external services.
Does ContextForge store huge prompts in AGENTS.md or CLAUDE.md?+
No. Root files are tiny pointers — they tell the agent where to look. Real instruction content lives in .contextforge/agents/ and .contextforge/skills/. This keeps your root clean and lets sync update instructions without touching root files.
Does init install every registry pack?+
No. init installs two sets of packs: mandatory core packs (always installed) and detected stack packs (based on what ContextForge finds in your project). You can add more packs manually with the add command.
Can I add more packs after init?+
How do I repair or update my setup?+
How do I check if everything is installed correctly?+
Can I use a custom registry?+
Yes. Pass --registry <url> to any command, or set it in config.json. The registry must serve the same JSON structure as the official registry.
Where is the registry hosted?+
Where is the main source code?+
Where is the registry source?+
Should I commit .contextforge to version control?+
Yes. Commit the entire .contextforge directory including config.json, lock.json, and the installed instruction files. This lets collaborators run sync to get an identical setup.
Does ContextForge work with monorepos?+
Run ContextForge from each sub-package root that has its own AI agent setup. Each package gets its own .contextforge directory.
Is ContextForge a replacement for skills.sh?+
No. ContextForge focuses on repo-level AI-agent instructions — the behavioral layer that guides how agents work in your codebase. It is a different tool with a different purpose.
Does ContextForge work without internet access?+
The first install requires internet access to fetch packs from the registry. Once installed, the instruction files are local. sync and add require internet access to fetch new/updated packs.
Still have questions? Check the source or open an issue.