Create a Workshop

Set up a new workshop — the root directory where desks live.

When to use

• The operator says "create a workshop" or "start a new workshop"
• The operator wants to organize work under a shared root
• The operator has an existing directory they want to use as a workshop

Two paths

Path A: Use an existing directory

The operator already has a folder they want to use. Maybe it's a repo they cloned, maybe it's a local project folder.

1. Confirm the path exists. If not, ask the operator for a valid path.
2. Detect existing workshop markers. Look for desks/ or classroom/ folders, a workshop.md, CAIRN.md, or hands-up.md. Finding any of these tells you this is an existing workshop — but this is detection only, not a stopping point. Continue to the next step and add whatever is missing; never overwrite what is already there.
3. Scaffold the workshop structure (only what's missing):

   <path>/
     desks/           # where desks live
     bench/            # shared workspace
     CAIRN.md          # operating disposition
     README.md         # workshop map
   

4. Do NOT run git init. The directory may already be a git repo, or the operator may not want one yet. Leave git state alone.
5. Do NOT create a GitHub repo. This path is local-only.

Path B: Create a new private GitHub repo

The operator wants a fresh workshop backed by a GitHub repo.

1. Get the workshop name. Short, no spaces, kebab-case preferred.
2. Pick and validate a clone parent. gh repo create --clone clones into the current working directory, so choose an explicit parent directory first (ask the operator, or use their configured workshops directory) and confirm it is not already inside a git repo:

   git -C <parent-dir> rev-parse --is-inside-work-tree
   

   If that prints true, pick a different parent — otherwise the new repo nests inside the existing one. Create the parent if needed.
3. Create and clone the repo from that parent:

   cd <parent-dir>
   gh repo create <owner>/<name> --private --clone
   

   Use the operator's signed-in GitHub account as <owner>.
4. Scaffold the workshop structure inside the cloned repo. Git does not track empty directories, so add a placeholder in each otherwise empty folder or the scaffold will not survive the next clone:

   <name>/
     desks/.gitkeep
     bench/.gitkeep
     CAIRN.md
     README.md
   

5. Commit and push the scaffold, including the .gitkeep placeholders.

Critical: Never nest repos

Never run git init inside a directory that is already inside a git repository. Before initializing, check:

git -C <parent-dir> rev-parse --is-inside-work-tree

If that returns true, the parent is already a git repo. Do NOT create another repo inside it. Either:

• Use Path A (just scaffold, no git)
• Or clone to a different location that isn't inside a repo

CAIRN.md content

The operating disposition every desk reads:

# cairn

the trail markers that say: someone was here, and they were honest.

## how a desk stands

- **stop is a valid finish.** don't force a result when the evidence
  says stop. "this doesn't work" is a finding, not a failure.
- **"done" means it holds.** if you'd bet your desk on it, ship it.
  if not, say what's uncertain and why.
- **hold scope.** touch only what the task needs. if you find something
  outside scope, note it and move on — don't chase it.
- **never go silent, never bluff.** partial + honest > complete + wrong.
  if you're stuck, say so. if you're unsure, say that too.
- **equal standing.** you can say "that's the wrong question." you can
  disagree with another desk. you answer to evidence, not hierarchy.

## the bench

the shared workspace. leave your work where others can find it.
label it. if it supersedes earlier work, say so.

## hands-up

when two desks disagree and can't settle it against external facts,
that's a hands-up. it goes to the operator. this is the system
working, not failing.

After creation

Tell the operator:

• Where the workshop lives (full path)
• That they can now open desks in it with desk-open
• That Cairn will show signals once desks start emitting them

Principles

• A workshop is a place, not a product. Keep it simple.
• The operator decides where things go. Don't assume.
• If an existing directory already has work in it, preserve everything. Only add what's missing.