---
title: "Quick Start — ghScaff docs | UniverLab"
source: "https://univerlab.org/ghscaff/docs/quickstart/"
---

[← ghScaff](/ghscaff/)Documentation

# Quick Start

Last updated 2026 · Sol 224 · 13:08 UTC (2026-08-12T13:08Z)

## Create a new repository

    ghscaff
    # or explicitly:
    ghscaff new

On first run ghscaff asks for a GitHub token and stores it in the [encrypted vault](/ghscaff/docs/authentication/). The wizard then walks you through [7 steps](/ghscaff/docs/wizard/) — basics, visibility, teams, template, branches, features, review — and creates the fully configured repository.

## Enable Sponsor button on existing repo

    ghscaff --sponsor owner/repo

Enables the GitHub Sponsor button on a repository without running the full wizard.

## Validate status checks

    ghscaff doctor owner/repo
    
    # Auto-detects owner/repo from the git remote if omitted
    cd my-existing-project
    ghscaff doctor

Verifies that required status checks can be satisfied by the CI workflow.

## Configure an existing repository

    ghscaff apply owner/repo
    
    # Auto-detects owner/repo from the git remote if omitted
    cd my-existing-project
    ghscaff apply

See [Apply Mode](/ghscaff/docs/apply-mode/) for exactly what gets applied.

## Preview without touching anything

    ghscaff --dry-run
    ghscaff apply owner/repo --dry-run

Dry-run shows every change that would be made, without any API calls.

## Reconfigure credentials

    ghscaff config

Wipes the vault (with confirmation) and starts fresh — new token, optional passphrase.