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Install Context Vault

Set up a local-first context system for you and the agents you work with.

Context Vault is an opinionated workspace made from ordinary Markdown, folders, Git, and agent instructions. It installs into a location you control and keeps its public upgrade state separate from your personal notes.

Install with your agent

Install the skill for each agent you use:

gh skill install MDerman/the-context-vault-template skills/ctx9-install-context-vault --agent codex --scope user
gh skill install MDerman/the-context-vault-template skills/ctx9-install-context-vault --agent claude-code --scope user

Start a new Codex or Claude Code session, then tell your agent:

Use $ctx9-install-context-vault to install Context Vault. Ask me where it should live, run the setup wizard with me, and verify the finished Vault.

Your agent creates the Vault in a folder you choose, asks you to name three teamspace folders, installs the configured Obsidian plugins and command-line tools, adds the vault command, starts local Git/LFS history, and registers a daily refresh on macOS. The optional CTX9 skill system is a separate choice.

Context Nine for Obsidian

Context Nine is the Vault's companion Obsidian plugin. The installer adds and configures it as part of the finished Vault.

It provides TaskNotes capture, context routing, attachment cleanup, a Vault Command Center, periodic note refresh, and the vault tui control room without making Obsidian the source of truth. The files remain ordinary Markdown on disk.

Check an upgrade

Preview changes before applying them:

vault upgrade --dry-run

Apply the reviewed upgrade:

vault upgrade --apply

If something looks wrong, inspect the current state and generate repair context:

vault upgrade status
vault upgrade doctor
vault upgrade repair-prompt

Upgrade reports are written under _system/state/upgrade-reports/. Failed upgrades keep the previous installed version recorded, so repair work can see both the starting point and the attempted target.

Understand the main folders

  • Your teamspace folders contain the tasks, projects, notes, and reference material you own.
  • _system/ contains bootstrap behavior, templates, skills, documentation, and managed system files.
  • _system/state/ contains ignored local state, backups, reports, and the export manifest.

The complete implementation and bootstrap internals live in the Context Vault repository.

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