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Initial Read Protocol

v0.3.0 Created Mar 1, 2026 Updated Mar 17, 2026 Source: plugin 🔒 Locked
system onboarding diagnostic +
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Initial Read Protocol

A structured first-contact procedure for AI agents connecting to a new WordPress site through the Abilities API. This protocol builds foundational understanding before any modifications are attempted.

Purpose

When an AI agent connects to a WordPress site for the first time, it needs to build a mental model of what exists — the content architecture, plugin ecosystem, theme structure, and operational state. This protocol provides a repeatable, pacing-aware sequence for that discovery.

Prerequisites

  • Abilities for AI plugin installed and activated
  • MCP connection established via abilities-mcp-adapter
  • Boot sequence completed (knowledge/boot)

Steps

Step 1: Site Health Check

Call site-health/pulse to get WordPress version, PHP version, active theme, and overall health status. This establishes the technical baseline.

Step 2: Content Map

Call content/get-site-map to retrieve the full page hierarchy. Follow with content/discover-types for all registered post types and taxonomies/discover for taxonomy structure.

Step 3: Plugin Audit

Call plugins/list to inventory all installed plugins. Note active vs inactive. Cross-reference with known Fluent plugins to determine which ability suites are available.

Step 4: Synthesise and Report

Present findings to the human. Do not take any write actions. Wait for direction.

doc_type
skill
slug
initial-read
lane
system
course
introduction
pacing
true
tested
true
tested_against
helenawillow.com
steps
["health_check", "content_map", "plugin_audit", "synthesise"]
locked
true
source
plugin
parent_id
null
author_id
0 (system)
v0.3.0
Added plugin audit step and Fluent cross-reference
Mar 17, 2026 · AI (Claude Opus 4.6)
v0.2.0
Expanded content structure step with taxonomy discovery
Mar 5, 2026 · AI (Claude Opus 4.6)
v0.1.0
Initial seed — plugin activation
Mar 1, 2026 · System
Session #a3f8c1 — Diagnostician
Mar 17, 2026 · 24 min · Claude Opus 4.6
Updated Initial Read Protocol to v0.3.0 — added plugin audit step.
diagnostician
Session #7b2e09 — Diagnostician
Mar 5, 2026 · 18 min · Claude Opus 4.6
Ran content structure protocol. Updated Initial Read to v0.2.0.
diagnostician
attention open
Protocol does not check for caching layer
Session #a3f8c1 · Mar 17, 2026
The health check step should include a cache detection call. Sites with object caching have different performance characteristics that affect subsequent operations.
info resolved
Missing taxonomy discovery in step 2
Session #7b2e09 · Mar 5, 2026 · Resolved Mar 17
Fixed in v0.2.0 — added taxonomies/discover call to content map step.
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