---
name: ship-setup
description: Set up ship for the first time or add a new VPS host. Saves host config to ~/.config/ship/config.json and installs server dependencies. Use when configuring ship for the first time, or adding/changing a host.
argument-hint: "[host-nickname]"
---

# ship-setup

Configure ship and prepare a VPS for deployments.

## Companion Script

Server setup is handled by `setup.sh` in this skill's directory. It is idempotent,
handles all branching logic, and mirrors the behavior of the original `ship host init`
Go CLI command.

```
skills/ship-setup/setup.sh <ssh-host> <base-domain> <nickname> [--default]
```

## Config File

All ship skills read from `~/.config/ship/config.json`. The setup script creates or
updates it — never overwrites the whole file.

```json
{
  "default": "prod",
  "hosts": {
    "prod": {
      "host": "ubuntu@1.2.3.4",
      "domain": "example.com"
    },
    "staging": {
      "host": "ubuntu@5.6.7.8",
      "domain": "staging.example.com"
    }
  }
}
```

## Steps

### 1. Read existing config

Check if `~/.config/ship/config.json` exists:

```bash
cat ~/.config/ship/config.json 2>/dev/null
```

If it exists, show the user the current hosts so they know what's already configured.

### 2. Get host details

If not already known, ask the user:
- **Nickname** — short name for this host (e.g. `prod`, `staging`)
- **SSH connection string** — e.g. `ubuntu@1.2.3.4` or an alias from `~/.ssh/config`
- **Base domain** — the domain pointing to this server (e.g. `example.com`)
- **Default?** — if this is the first host, make it default. Otherwise ask.

### 3. Run the setup script

```bash
bash ~/.claude/skills/ship-setup/setup.sh <ssh-host> <domain> <nickname> [--default]
```

The script will:
1. Test the SSH connection — stops early if it fails
2. Detect OS (Ubuntu/Debian only)
3. Install Caddy if not present
4. Configure the main Caddyfile if not already set up
5. Create required directories (`/etc/ship/env`, `/etc/ship/ports`, `/etc/caddy/sites-enabled`, `/var/www`)
6. Enable and start Caddy
7. Save the host to `~/.config/ship/config.json`

### 4. Confirm

Tell the user:
- Host nickname and SSH target saved
- Whether it's the default host
- That the server is ready for deployments
- How to add another host: `/ship-setup`
- How to deploy: `/ship-deploy`

## Notes

- Safe to run multiple times — all steps are idempotent
- The SSH host can be an alias from `~/.ssh/config`
- If a nickname already exists in config, the script overwrites it — confirm with the user first
- Default host is used by all other ship skills when no host is specified