gastownhall/beads: README-based editorial guide

gastownhall/beads describes itself in the README as "Beads - A memory upgrade for your coding agent". This article keeps to facts that can be checked in the repository. Stars, forks, and promotional badges are signals of attention, not proof of quality. Under "bd - Beads", the README says: Distributed graph issue tracker for AI agents, powered by Dolt.. That establishes the project's stated boundary, not a production test.

The README's "🛠 Features" section gives a useful starting point for deciding whether the project fits: Agent-Optimized: JSON output, dependency tracking, and auto-ready task detection.. If that problem is not yours, popularity is a poor reason to adopt it. Project names, commands, and component names are kept as written so a reader can return to the primary source without guessing at terminology. Another checkable README item is: Dolt-Powered: Version-controlled SQL database with cell-level merge, native branching, and built-in sync via Dolt remotes.. It can shape a first test, but it does not replace testing in the intended environment.

The operating model is spread across sections such as "⚡ Quick Start". The source evidence includes: Note: Beads is a CLI tool you install once and use everywhere. You don't need to clone this repository into your project.. This article does not turn missing architecture, performance, or security details into claims. A real deployment still needs a look at the repository layout, configuration files, and release history.

Start installation from the README's documented entry point. A command that can be checked in the source is: # Install beads CLI (system-wide - don't clone this repo into your project) curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/gastownhall/beads/main/scripts/install.sh | bash # Initialize in YOUR project cd your-project bd init # Optional: refresh or install richer instructions for your agent bd setup codex # Codex CLI - installs skill, AGENTS.md guidance, and hooks bd setup claude # Claude Code - installs hooks/settings bd setup factory # Factory.ai Droid - creates/updates AGENTS.md When the README contains no runnable command, this article does not invent one. Open its "⚡ Quick Start" section and confirm system dependencies, default ports, and first-run initialization before using a public server.