# Getting Started
Welcome to **CSL-Core**. This guide will get you up and running with the Chimera Specification Language environment, from installation to running your first Agent Guard.
---
## 1. Installation
CSL-Core is available via pip. It requires Python 3.10+.
```bash
pip install csl-core
```
To verify the installation and check the version:
```bash
cslcore --version
```
---
## 2. Quickstart (The First 5 Minutes)
If you have cloned the repository, we have prepared a `quickstart/` directory to help you learn the syntax basics immediately.
Navigate to the quickstart folder:
```bash
cd quickstart
```
### Step A: Verify a Policy
Try compiling the "Hello World" policy. This checks for syntax errors and logic consistency using the Z3 engine.
```bash
cslcore verify 01_hello_world.csl
```
### Step B: Simulate Runtime Behavior
Now, let's see how the policy behaves against input data without writing any Python code.
** Scenario 1: ** Small external transfer (Should be ALLOWED)
```bash
cslcore simulate 01_hello_world.csl --input '{"amount": 50, "destination": "EXTERNAL"}'
```
** Scenario 2: ** Large external transfer (Should be BLOCKED)
```bash
cslcore simulate 01_hello_world.csl --input '{"amount": 500, "destination": "EXTERNAL"}'
```
You can also explore:
- `02_age_verification.csl`: A simple logic gate for numerical constraints.
- `03_langchain_template.py`: A minimal Python script showing how to load CSL in code.
---
## 3. Explore Real-World Examples
Once you understand the basics, check the `examples/` directory in the repository root. These represent production-grade use cases.
### Core Policies (`examples/`)
- `agent_tool_guard.csl`: Protects an LLM Agent from calling dangerous tools.
- `chimera_banking_case_study.csl`: A complex financial policy with VIP limits and risk scoring.
- `dao_treasury_guard.csl`: Governance rules for a blockchain DAO.
To run the batched examples and see the output in action:
```bash
# Runs the Python runner which loads CSL files and simulates various scenarios
python examples/run_examples.py
```
---
## 4. Integrate with Your Agents (Plugins)
CSL-Core is designed to be a drop-in middleware for your AI framework.
### LangChain Integration
We provide a native plugin for LangChain in `chimera_core/plugins/langchain.py`.
You can see a full implementation in `examples/integrations/langchain_agent_demo.py`.
---
## 5. Write Your Own Policy
Ready to build your own? Create a file named `my_policy.csl`.
### 1. Define the Domain:
```csl
DOMAIN MyGuard {
VARIABLES {
action: {"READ", "WRITE", "DELETE"}
user_level: 0..5
}
STATE_CONSTRAINT strict_delete {
WHEN action == "DELETE"
THEN user_level >= 4
}
}
```
### 2. Verify it:
```bash
cslcore verify my_policy.csl
```
### 3. Run the REPL to test edge cases:
```bash
cslcore repl my_policy.csl
> {"action": "DELETE", "user_level": 2}
BLOCKED
```
---
## Next Steps
- Read the **Syntax Specification** to master the language.
- Check the **CLI Reference** for advanced debugging flags.
