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

# dex init

> Set up a Dex project, try a local demo, adopt existing dbt, or explore without dbt. Managed docs, connection checks and readiness for agents and terminals.

set up a Dex project, adopt dbt, or explore without dbt

```text theme={null}
dex init [--mode {new,demo,adopt,explore}] [--project-dir PROJECT_DIR]
    [--target TARGET] [--dev-destination DEV_DESTINATION]
    [--agent-file {AGENTS.md,CLAUDE.md}] [--no-agent-instructions]
    [--no-interactive] [--layered-schemas] [--in-place] [<name>]
```

**Arguments**

| Argument | Description | Default |
| - | - | - |
| `[<name>]` | dbt project name; '.' is in-place; .dex stays at repo root | |

**Options**

| Option | Description | Default |
| - | - | - |
| `--mode {new,demo,adopt,explore}` | new project, complete demo, adopt dbt, or explore without dbt | |
| `--project-dir PROJECT_DIR` | existing dbt project to adopt (repository-relative) | |
| `--target TARGET` | existing dev target to adopt | |
| `--dev-destination DEV_DESTINATION` | dev namespace: dataset, schema, or database/catalog.schema | |
| `--agent-file {AGENTS.md,CLAUDE.md}` | agent instruction file to update; repeat to select both | |
| `--no-agent-instructions` | skip managed agent instructions | |
| `--no-interactive` | return structured missing inputs without terminal questions | |
| `--layered-schemas` | build each dbt layer into its own schema | |
| `--in-place` | scaffold dbt in the current directory | |

Every command here also accepts the [global options](https://docs.exmergo.com/dex/cli/overview.md#global-options).

Source: [`packages/dex-core/src/exmergo_dex_core/cli.py`](https://github.com/exmergo/dex/blob/v1.17.9/packages/dex-core/src/exmergo_dex_core/cli.py) ([edit on main](https://github.com/exmergo/dex/edit/main/packages/dex-core/src/exmergo_dex_core/cli.py)). This page is generated; change the source, not the site.


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