FAQ

Why not just use .config?

The XDG Base Directory Specification defines ~/.config/ as a location for application configuration. dotStandards directories serve a different purpose — they are not application config but structured data intended for discovery by multiple tools. .agents stores identity and knowledge data; .forge stores project metadata and automation. Mixing these into ~/.config/ would lose the discoverability that a well-known top-level path provides.

Can I use multiple dotStandards together?

Yes. Each dotStandard is self-contained and independent. They are designed to cover different scopes or purposes, so there is no overlap or conflict between them. Adopt whichever ones are useful to you — one, several, or all.

Who decides on new standards?

Anyone can propose a new dotStandard. Proposals are discussed openly in the dotStandards GitHub repository. Each standard needs a clear problem statement, a proposed directory layout, and a governing body willing to maintain it. See the governance page for the full process.

Do I need special tools to use dotStandards?

No. dotStandards directories are plain files and folders. You can create them with mkdir and your text editor. Specialized tools (like the Forge CLI or an AgentFinger daemon) add convenience but are never required. The convention works because of predictable paths and plain-text formats, not because of any particular tool.