> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://mintlify.com/dotandev/hintents/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# erst init

> Scaffold a local Erst debugging workspace

The `init` command creates project-local scaffolding for Erst debugging workflows.

## Usage

```bash theme={null}
erst init [directory]
```

## Description

This command generates:

* `erst.toml` configuration file
* `.gitignore` entries for local artifacts
* Directory structure for traces, snapshots, overrides, and WASM files

When run in an interactive terminal, it launches a setup wizard to configure the preferred RPC URL and network passphrase.

## Examples

<CodeGroup>
  ```bash Initialize in current directory theme={null}
  erst init
  ```

  ```bash Initialize in specific directory theme={null}
  erst init ./my-project
  ```

  ```bash Non-interactive with specific network theme={null}
  erst init --network testnet --rpc https://soroban-testnet.stellar.org
  ```
</CodeGroup>

## Flags

<ParamField path="--force" type="boolean" default="false">
  Overwrite existing configuration files
</ParamField>

<ParamField path="--network" type="string" default="public">
  Network to configure: `public`, `testnet`, `futurenet`, or `standalone`
</ParamField>

<ParamField path="--rpc" type="string">
  Custom RPC URL to use
</ParamField>

<ParamField path="--network-passphrase" type="string">
  Custom network passphrase
</ParamField>

<ParamField path="--interactive" type="boolean" default="true">
  Run interactive setup wizard (auto-detects terminal)

  Alias: `-i`
</ParamField>

## Interactive wizard

When run in an interactive terminal, `erst init` launches a setup wizard that guides you through:

<Steps>
  <Step title="Select network">
    Choose from public, testnet, futurenet, or standalone
  </Step>

  <Step title="Configure RPC URL">
    Enter custom RPC endpoint or use network defaults
  </Step>

  <Step title="Set network passphrase">
    Optionally specify custom network passphrase
  </Step>

  <Step title="Confirm settings">
    Review and confirm configuration before creating files
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Generated structure

After running `erst init`, your project will contain:

```
.
├── erst.toml           # Main configuration file
├── .gitignore          # Updated with erst artifacts
└── .erst/
    ├── traces/         # Saved execution traces
    ├── snapshots/      # Ledger state snapshots
    ├── overrides/      # Custom state overrides
    └── wasm/           # Local contract WASM files
```

## Configuration file

The generated `erst.toml` includes:

```toml theme={null}
# Network configuration
network = "testnet"
rpc_url = "https://soroban-testnet.stellar.org"

# Simulator settings
[simulator]
max_cpu_insns = 100000000
max_memory_bytes = 41943040

# Cache settings
[cache]
enabled = true
max_size_mb = 500
```

## Related commands

* [doctor](/commands/doctor) - Verify Erst environment setup
* [upgrade](/commands/upgrade) - Simulate contract upgrades