diff --git a/init.go b/init.go
index 6c56223..161408f 100644
--- a/init.go
+++ b/init.go
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ import (
 	"os"
 	"time"
 
+	"go.wit.com/lib/config"
 	"go.wit.com/lib/fhelp"
 	"go.wit.com/lib/gui/shell"
 	"go.wit.com/lib/protobuf/gitpb"
@@ -22,6 +23,18 @@ func Default(opts ...OptionFunc) *Engine {
 }
 */
 
+func Init() *Forge {
+	cfg := new(ForgeConfigs)
+	err := config.ConfigLoad(cfg, "forge", "forge")
+	if err != nil {
+		log.Info("forge has not been configured yet")
+		log.Info("go install go.wit.com/apps/forge@latest")
+		os.Exit(-1)
+	}
+	f := initFromConfig(cfg)
+	log.Info("forge.Init() ok len(repos) =", f.Repos.Len())
+	return f
+}
 func (f *Forge) InitScan() {
 	if f.hasFullScan {
 		// duplicate time checking below. which one to keep?
@@ -54,7 +67,7 @@ func (f *Forge) InitScan() {
 	log.Log(INFO, "update()           check took", shell.FormatDuration(time.Since(now)))
 }
 
-func InitFromConfig(cfg *ForgeConfigs) *Forge {
+func initFromConfig(cfg *ForgeConfigs) *Forge {
 	f := new(Forge)
 	f.Config = cfg
 	if f.configENV() {