# Docs

> ModernCI documentation: concepts, commands, MCP tools, and the runbook your agent follows to set it up.

Ten concepts, six commands, four MCP tools. Start with the three commands, then read the concepts in order. Or hand the runbook to your agent.

## Start

- [Deploy ModernCI with your agent](https://modernci.dev/docs/agents.md)
- [Get started](https://modernci.dev/get-started.md): install, `repo add`, `host join`, your first branch file

## Concepts

move · branch file · check · input key · backend · verdict · agent host · work item · failure ladder · appeal · question and ruling · cost per merged change

## Guides

Moving off Actions: import and shadow. The failure ladder and prompts. Sealed paths. Warm pools. The operator MCP. Connecting to the cloud.

## Reference

Branch file keys. Commands. MCP tools. Alarms and hooks. The usage record.

## Plugins

The seam protocol: JSON over stdin and stdout. The conformance suite. Seams: forge, backend, store, secrets, notify, auth.

## The smallest branch file

```yaml
# .ci/default.yaml
to: main
checks:
  test: { run: make test }
on_green: merge
```