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xerg init is the default first-run path for the CLI.
init is interactive. Use direct doctor / audit commands when you need non-interactive behavior or explicit flags immediately.

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What xerg init does

Run:
init:
  • checks the local OpenClaw, Hermes, and Claude Code defaults
  • auto-selects the only detected runtime or asks you to choose when more than one is present
  • runs the first audit with local snapshot persistence enabled
  • prints the normal terminal summary
  • tells you to use audit --compare after the next fix
  • offers optional hosted follow-up with connect and mcp-setup

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Supported local runtimes

init covers local OpenClaw, Hermes, and Claude Code detection. Current defaults:
  • OpenClaw gateway logs: /tmp/openclaw/openclaw-*.log
  • OpenClaw session transcripts: ~/.openclaw/agents/*/sessions/*.jsonl
  • Hermes v0.17+ state database: ~/.hermes/state.db (preferred, read-only)
  • Optional Hermes observer ledger: ~/.hermes/xerg/events/; legacy files remain fallback inputs
  • Claude Code session transcripts: ~/.claude/projects/
Cursor usage CSVs remain a direct doctor / audit --cursor-usage-csv workflow rather than part of init.

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When to use init versus audit

Use init when:
  • you are onboarding for the first time
  • you want the CLI to choose between detected local runtimes
  • you want a guided path from first audit to optional hosted setup
Use audit directly when:
  • you need non-interactive behavior
  • you already know the runtime
  • you want JSON, Markdown, CI gates, or explicit path flags immediately
  • you want remote OpenClaw audits over SSH or Railway
Examples:

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What happens when no local data is found

init does not guess. It prints:
  • the default local paths it checked (OpenClaw, Hermes, and Claude Code)
  • explicit local-path commands for OpenClaw, Hermes, and Claude Code
  • the Cursor usage CSV alternative (audit --cursor-usage-csv ./usage.csv)
  • remote OpenClaw-only next steps:
    • npx @xerg/cli@latest audit --remote user@host
    • npx @xerg/cli@latest audit --railway
Remote SSH and Railway guidance are OpenClaw-only.

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What happens after a successful audit

After the first audit, init tells you to re-run:
Then it offers optional hosted follow-up:
  • connect for authentication and pushing the latest audit
  • mcp-setup for generating hosted MCP config for Cursor, Claude Code, Codex, or another client
Hosted follow-up is optional. Local audits and compare remain available if you skip it.