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

# What is a Software Factory?

> An automated pipeline that turns labeled issues into reviewed pull requests.

A Software Factory is a configured pipeline of agents, a runtime, and a repository that turns a labeled issue into a planned change, an implementation, and a reviewed pull request — without you wiring up each piece by hand.

## Ways to set one up

* **Smith commissioning** — describe what you want in chat and [Smith](/platform/smith) drives the setup end to end. See [Software Factory commissioning](#software-factory-commissioning) below.
* **[Factory setup wizard](/platform/factory-setup-wizard)** — a form-based path through the same setup, screen by screen.

## Software Factory commissioning

Smith can commission a Software Factory for you, so you do not have to wire up its repository, runtimes, labels, agents, contexts, and triggers by hand. When you ask Smith to build a Software Factory, it runs the `blueprint_software_factory` skill, which drives the setup end to end and stores every configuration value as a workspace variable. Storing configuration this way lets the same blueprint run in any workspace.

### Workspace variable contract

Smith reads and writes thirteen workspace variables that hold the Factory's configuration instead of pinning values in agent code. These variables cover four areas:

* **Repository** — the repository the Factory operates on, such as `FACTORY_REPOSITORY`.
* **Coding runtime** — the runtime the Factory uses to make code changes, such as `FACTORY_RUNTIME_ENVIRONMENT`.
* **Read-only runtime** — the runtime the Factory uses for read-only inspection.
* **Control labels** — the labels that coordinate Factory work, such as `FACTORY_LABEL_AUTO`.

Because the configuration lives in workspace variables, you can reuse the same Factory blueprint in another workspace by setting that workspace's variables. See [Workspace variables](/platform/workspace-variables).

### Two-phase commissioning

Smith commissions a Factory through a smart-default intake process that requires exactly one approval for the complete commissioning plan. Instead of asking you a series of questions about mode, labels, and ownership, Smith applies smart defaults, presents a single compact commissioning plan, and proceeds once you approve it. Smith commissions a Factory in two phases:

1. **Bootstrap Proposal** — Smith proposes the Factory setup, including the runtime environment and setup script, and presents the complete commissioning plan for your approval.
2. **Create, Verify, Configure, and Assemble** — after this single plan approval, Smith applies the Bootstrap-proposed setup script, creates the runtime, verifies it, configures the workspace variables and labels, and assembles the Factory agents, contexts, and triggers automatically, without prompting you for mid-run approvals.

Smith installs a complete eight-agent runtime roster by default and uses a managed update policy (`should_autoupdate: true`).

Smith uses the public `guildai~github-repository-manager@1.x` agent to set up and operate repository labels.

<Note>
  Labels, variables, Factory agents, contexts, and triggers stay unreachable until runtime environment verification passes. Env Verify must report a structured `pass` and confirm container cleanup before Smith commissions any Factory component.
</Note>

### Bounded runtime repair loop

If the setup script fails, Smith runs a bounded runtime repair loop instead of stopping. These repairs are automated under the authorization of the initial commissioning plan, so Smith does not prompt you for approval before modifying the runtime environment. The loop runs at most three repair rounds (`MAX_FACTORY_RUNTIME_REPAIR_ATTEMPTS = 3`). If all three repairs fail, or if Smith encounters a structural or unrepairable error, Smith stops polling and enters a deterministic `awaiting_user` state, surfacing the verifier evidence and waiting for your explicit direction before resuming a recovery cycle.