PERSONAS · DIRECTORY TEMPLATE

Start an agent with files from GitHub

A Directory Template copies files from a GitHub repository into the agent’s home when its worker starts. Use it for project notes, checklists, and other files the persona should have available.

Before you start

Open a PersonaStack-run persona from Agent Personas. Directory Template is not shown for linked external agents.

Have the GitHub repository name ready in owner/repo form. A public repository can use None for the SSH key. For a private repository, first configure an SSH key integration in the current workspace with access to that repository.

1. Prepare the template files

Arrange files the way you want them placed in the agent’s home. For example:

project-notes.md
checklists/
  website-review.md
reference/
  writing-style.md

The template uses the repository’s default branch. It copies files and folders, including dotfiles, but does not copy the repository’s .git directory. Keep credentials in the app’s connection settings rather than in template files.

2. Save the template

1. Scroll to Directory Template below Token Quota.
2. Turn on Enable agent home directory template.
3. Enter the GitHub repository, such as your-team/agent-home. Do not include the GitHub URL or a .git suffix.
4. Select a configured GitHub SSH Key if the repository needs one.
5. Choose Save template and wait for the confirmation.

If there are no SSH options, create the key integration first and return to the persona. The template setting selects that saved connection. It does not ask you to paste a private key here.

3. Understand when it applies

The template is applied during worker startup before runtime configuration. Saving it does not update the files of an already-running worker. Repository changes are picked up during a later startup, rather than continuously synchronized.

4. Check the files after startup

After a new worker starts, ask the persona to read a known template file and summarize it. Confirm that the contents match the repository version you expected.

Worker startup can continue if template setup fails. If files are missing, check the repository name, whether it is public or private, the selected SSH key’s access, and GitHub connectivity from the agent’s location.

To stop applying the template on future starts, turn off its switch and choose Save template. For files the persona creates during work, review Keep Files Between Runs.

Need a hand? Contact the PersonaStack team.