diff --git a/.changeset/bootstrap-system-prompt.md b/.changeset/bootstrap-system-prompt.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..6ce341c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.changeset/bootstrap-system-prompt.md
@@ -0,0 +1,5 @@
+---
+'@gemstack/framework': minor
+---
+
+Add bootstrap mode (`--bootstrap`, and `StartRunOptions.bootstrap` for the dashboard): starting a brand-new project from an empty directory. It prepends a forceful preamble above the built-in #326 prompt so the first turn stops for a plan (ranked interpretations or a PLAN file) instead of charging ahead and scaffolding code. The #326 template is left byte-identical; the preamble only raises its "Unclear scope" / "Large scope" rules above Claude Code's default decisiveness, which otherwise overrides them on the append path (#297, #448).
diff --git a/packages/framework/src/cli.test.ts b/packages/framework/src/cli.test.ts
index d373747..3e92a82 100644
--- a/packages/framework/src/cli.test.ts
+++ b/packages/framework/src/cli.test.ts
@@ -56,6 +56,11 @@ test('parseArgs collects repeatable --context directories (#439)', () => {
   assert.deepEqual(parseArgs(['--context', '/work/api', '--context', '/work/ui', 'x']).context, ['/work/api', '/work/ui'])
 })
 
+test('parseArgs reads --bootstrap (#297/#448)', () => {
+  assert.equal(parseArgs(['x']).bootstrap, false)
+  assert.equal(parseArgs(['--bootstrap', 'x']).bootstrap, true)
+})
+
 test('parseArgs reads the maintain subcommand + its bounds (#298)', () => {
   const dflt = parseArgs(['x'])
   assert.equal(dflt.maintain, false)
diff --git a/packages/framework/src/cli.ts b/packages/framework/src/cli.ts
index e251110..4dc4a84 100644
--- a/packages/framework/src/cli.ts
+++ b/packages/framework/src/cli.ts
@@ -151,6 +151,9 @@ Options:
   --context <dir>        Focus the agent on this directory (repeatable). Adds one
                          "Context: <dirs>" line to the system prompt; the agent can
                          still reach every repo, this just narrows where it looks.
+  --bootstrap            Bootstrap mode: a brand-new project from an empty dir. Makes
+                         the first turn stop for a plan (interpretations / PLAN) before
+                         writing any code, instead of charging ahead.
   --kind <name>          Build event kind the preset's review loop fires for, e.g.
                          bug-fix or major-change (default: the-framework.yml's event,
                          else the preset's own, else major-change). Selects which
@@ -224,6 +227,8 @@ export interface CliOptions {
   eco: Required<EcoOptions>
   /** `--context <dir>` (repeatable): in-context directories added as one `Context:` line (#439). */
   context: string[]
+  /** `--bootstrap`: bootstrap mode (#297/#448) — a new project from an empty dir; stop for a plan first. */
+  bootstrap: boolean
   buildEvent?: string | undefined
   maxPasses?: number
   maxCost?: number
@@ -282,6 +287,7 @@ export function parseArgs(argv: string[]): CliOptions {
     vanilla: false,
     eco: { autoPlanning: false, autoResearch: false, autoMaintenance: false },
     context: [],
+    bootstrap: false,
     dashboard: true,
     relayServe: false,
     composeExtensions: false,
@@ -333,6 +339,9 @@ export function parseArgs(argv: string[]): CliOptions {
       case '--vanilla':
         opts.vanilla = true
         break
+      case '--bootstrap':
+        opts.bootstrap = true
+        break
       case '--eco-auto-planning':
         opts.eco.autoPlanning = true
         break
@@ -978,6 +987,7 @@ export async function runCli(argv: string[], io: CliIO = defaultIO): Promise<num
     if (noBuiltinPrompt) io.out(`◆ built-in system prompt: off (${opts.vanilla ? 'vanilla' : 'the-framework.yml'})`)
     else if (eco) io.out(`◆ eco: dropping ${Object.keys(eco).filter(k => eco[k as keyof EcoOptions]).join(', ')}`)
     if (opts.context.length) io.out(`◆ context: ${opts.context.join(', ')}`)
+  if (opts.bootstrap) io.out('◆ bootstrap: on (plan before building)')
     try {
       await runPrompt({
         prompt: opts.directPrompt ? intent : renderResearchPrompt(intent),
@@ -997,6 +1007,7 @@ export async function runCli(argv: string[], io: CliIO = defaultIO): Promise<num
         ...(noBuiltinPrompt ? { antiLazyPill: false } : {}),
         ...(eco ? { eco } : {}),
         ...(opts.context.length ? { context: opts.context } : {}),
+        ...(opts.bootstrap ? { bootstrap: true } : {}),
         ...(modeList.includes('autopilot') ? { autopilot: true } : {}),
         ...((): { sessionLink?: string } => {
           const link = chooseSessionLink(opts, fake)
@@ -1098,6 +1109,7 @@ export async function runCli(argv: string[], io: CliIO = defaultIO): Promise<num
   if (noBuiltinPrompt) io.out(`◆ built-in system prompt: off (${opts.vanilla ? 'vanilla' : 'the-framework.yml'})`)
   else if (eco) io.out(`◆ eco: dropping ${Object.keys(eco).filter(k => eco[k as keyof EcoOptions]).join(', ')}`)
   if (opts.context.length) io.out(`◆ context: ${opts.context.join(', ')}`)
+  if (opts.bootstrap) io.out('◆ bootstrap: on (plan before building)')
 
   const runOpts: RunFrameworkOptions = {
     intent,
@@ -1137,6 +1149,7 @@ export async function runCli(argv: string[], io: CliIO = defaultIO): Promise<num
     ...(noBuiltinPrompt ? { antiLazyPill: false } : {}),
     ...(eco ? { eco } : {}),
     ...(opts.context.length ? { context: opts.context } : {}),
+    ...(opts.bootstrap ? { bootstrap: true } : {}),
     ...((): { sessionLink?: string } => {
       const link = chooseSessionLink(opts, fake)
       return link ? { sessionLink: link } : {}
diff --git a/packages/framework/src/daemon.test.ts b/packages/framework/src/daemon.test.ts
index 4da285b..18fd0de 100644
--- a/packages/framework/src/daemon.test.ts
+++ b/packages/framework/src/daemon.test.ts
@@ -55,6 +55,8 @@ test('startOptionFlags maps only enabled Global options to CLI flags (#314)', ()
     '--context',
     '/work/ui',
   ])
+  // Bootstrap mode (#297/#448): maps to --bootstrap.
+  assert.deepEqual(startOptionFlags({ bootstrap: true }), ['--bootstrap'])
 })
 
 const logEvent = (message: string): FrameworkEvent => ({ kind: 'log', message })
diff --git a/packages/framework/src/daemon.ts b/packages/framework/src/daemon.ts
index 7b24811..a4f221a 100644
--- a/packages/framework/src/daemon.ts
+++ b/packages/framework/src/daemon.ts
@@ -67,6 +67,7 @@ export function startOptionFlags(options: StartRunOptions): string[] {
   if (options.eco?.autoResearch) flags.push('--eco-auto-research')
   if (options.eco?.autoMaintenance) flags.push('--eco-auto-maintenance')
   for (const dir of options.context ?? []) if (typeof dir === 'string' && dir.trim()) flags.push('--context', dir)
+  if (options.bootstrap) flags.push('--bootstrap')
   return flags
 }
 
diff --git a/packages/framework/src/dashboard/server.ts b/packages/framework/src/dashboard/server.ts
index c1edddf..c7ea5d9 100644
--- a/packages/framework/src/dashboard/server.ts
+++ b/packages/framework/src/dashboard/server.ts
@@ -75,6 +75,8 @@ export interface StartRunOptions {
   eco?: EcoOptions
   /** In-context directories (#439): each becomes a `--context <dir>` flag on the spawned run. */
   context?: string[]
+  /** Bootstrap mode (#297/#448): a new project from an empty dir; maps to `--bootstrap`. */
+  bootstrap?: boolean
 }
 
 /**
diff --git a/packages/framework/src/index.ts b/packages/framework/src/index.ts
index 913721b..1c1624f 100644
--- a/packages/framework/src/index.ts
+++ b/packages/framework/src/index.ts
@@ -224,6 +224,7 @@ export {
   renderSystemPrompt,
   SYSTEM_PROMPT_TEMPLATE,
   SYSTEM_PROMPT_FILE,
+  BOOTSTRAP_PREAMBLE,
   type SystemPromptOptions,
   type TfContext,
   type RenderedSystemPrompt,
diff --git a/packages/framework/src/prompt-run.ts b/packages/framework/src/prompt-run.ts
index 330fca9..82cb1fb 100644
--- a/packages/framework/src/prompt-run.ts
+++ b/packages/framework/src/prompt-run.ts
@@ -44,6 +44,8 @@ export interface RunPromptOptions {
   eco?: EcoOptions
   /** In-context directories (#439): added as one `Context:` line to the system prompt. */
   context?: readonly string[]
+  /** Bootstrap mode (#297/#448): prepend the forceful preamble so the first turn stops for a plan. Default false. */
+  bootstrap?: boolean
   /** Stop the run once the agent has spent this much, in USD (#322). */
   budgetUsd?: number
   /** Session link template for the dashboard, `{sessionId}` resolved when known. */
@@ -82,7 +84,7 @@ export async function runPrompt(opts: RunPromptOptions): Promise<RunPromptResult
     prompt: opts.prompt,
     params: { autopilot: opts.autopilot === true, ...(opts.eco ? { eco: opts.eco } : {}) },
   }
-  const promptBlock = systemPromptBlock({ antiLazyPill: opts.antiLazyPill, user: opts.systemPrompt, tf, context: opts.context })
+  const promptBlock = systemPromptBlock({ antiLazyPill: opts.antiLazyPill, user: opts.systemPrompt, tf, context: opts.context, bootstrap: opts.bootstrap })
   const system = [...(promptBlock ? [promptBlock] : []), AWAIT_PROTOCOL].join('\n\n')
   // The template's `# User prompt` half carries the prompt (today it renders to
   // exactly `opts.prompt`; any framing Rom adds around the slot rides along). With
diff --git a/packages/framework/src/run.ts b/packages/framework/src/run.ts
index 9babffe..164afbb 100644
--- a/packages/framework/src/run.ts
+++ b/packages/framework/src/run.ts
@@ -125,6 +125,11 @@ export interface RunFrameworkOptions {
   eco?: EcoOptions
   /** In-context directories (#439): added as one `Context:` line to the system prompt. */
   context?: readonly string[]
+  /**
+   * Bootstrap mode (#297/#448): a brand-new project from an empty directory. Prepends a
+   * forceful preamble so the first turn stops for a plan instead of charging ahead. Default off.
+   */
+  bootstrap?: boolean
   /**
    * A user-picked Open Loop domain preset ({loops, prompts, skills}) to run the
    * build under (#251). Its skills (and their personas) frame every phase, and
@@ -345,7 +350,7 @@ export async function runFramework(opts: RunFrameworkOptions): Promise<RunFramew
     prompt: opts.intent,
     params: { autopilot: opts.modes?.includes('autopilot') ?? false, ...(opts.eco ? { eco: opts.eco } : {}) },
   }
-  const promptBlock = systemPromptBlock({ antiLazyPill: opts.antiLazyPill, user: opts.systemPrompt, tf, context: opts.context })
+  const promptBlock = systemPromptBlock({ antiLazyPill: opts.antiLazyPill, user: opts.systemPrompt, tf, context: opts.context, bootstrap: opts.bootstrap })
   // The await protocol (#337) concretizes the pill's showChoices()/AWAIT macros into a
   // signal the turn-boundary gate can detect, so it rides along with the pill.
   const system = [
diff --git a/packages/framework/src/system-prompt.test.ts b/packages/framework/src/system-prompt.test.ts
index ada50d6..4e7634f 100644
--- a/packages/framework/src/system-prompt.test.ts
+++ b/packages/framework/src/system-prompt.test.ts
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ import { mkdtemp, writeFile, rm } from 'node:fs/promises'
 import { tmpdir } from 'node:os'
 import { join } from 'node:path'
 import {
+  BOOTSTRAP_PREAMBLE,
   loadUserSystemPrompt,
   renderSystemPrompt,
   systemPromptBlock,
@@ -98,6 +99,21 @@ test('systemPromptBlock threads tf through to the template', () => {
   assert.ok(block.includes('postpone a deep refactor'))
 })
 
+test('systemPromptBlock prepends the bootstrap preamble above the built-in prompt (#297/#448)', () => {
+  const off = systemPromptBlock()
+  assert.ok(!off.includes(BOOTSTRAP_PREAMBLE)) // default off: no preamble
+  const on = systemPromptBlock({ bootstrap: true })
+  assert.ok(on.startsWith(BOOTSTRAP_PREAMBLE)) // preamble first
+  assert.ok(on.includes('# System prompt')) // then the byte-identical #326 template
+  assert.ok(on.indexOf(BOOTSTRAP_PREAMBLE) < on.indexOf('# System prompt')) // preamble outranks it
+})
+
+test('systemPromptBlock keeps the bootstrap preamble after the Context line (#439/#448)', () => {
+  const block = systemPromptBlock({ bootstrap: true, context: ['/work/api'] })
+  assert.ok(block.startsWith('Context: /work/api')) // context frames everything
+  assert.ok(block.indexOf('Context: /work/api') < block.indexOf(BOOTSTRAP_PREAMBLE))
+})
+
 test('eco.autoPlanning drops only the Large scope section (#314)', () => {
   const { system } = renderSystemPrompt({ prompt: 'x', params: { eco: { autoPlanning: true } } })
   assert.ok(!system.includes('## Large scope'))
diff --git a/packages/framework/src/system-prompt.ts b/packages/framework/src/system-prompt.ts
index ff0b655..8ed6d21 100644
--- a/packages/framework/src/system-prompt.ts
+++ b/packages/framework/src/system-prompt.ts
@@ -59,6 +59,22 @@ Before starting to write code, measure "variability":
 
 \${{tf.prompt}}`
 
+/**
+ * Bootstrap mode's forceful preamble (#297/#448). The built-in #326 prompt already
+ * carries the "Unclear scope" / "Large scope" rules, but appended to Claude Code's own
+ * system prompt those lose to its default "be decisive, don't block the user" instinct —
+ * so a fresh-from-empty-dir build charges ahead instead of stopping for a plan (measured).
+ * This preamble states the override explicitly and forbids writing code before approval,
+ * which flips the behaviour without touching Rom's template. Prepended above the #326
+ * prompt only when bootstrap mode is on.
+ */
+export const BOOTSTRAP_PREAMBLE = `# Bootstrap mode
+
+You are starting a brand-new project from an empty directory. This takes precedence over any default tendency to act decisively or to start building right away:
+
+- Do NOT write, scaffold, or edit any file, and do NOT run build or install commands, until the user has approved a plan.
+- Your first reply MUST be either a list of interpretations sorted by plausibility (when the scope is unclear) or a plan the user can approve (when the scope is large), then stop and await the user's answer.`
+
 /**
  * Eco fine-grained control (#314): each flag drops one whole `##` section from the
  * built-in #326 prompt to save tokens, letting the agent auto-handle that concern.
@@ -186,6 +202,12 @@ export interface SystemPromptOptions {
    * the block. Empty/absent adds nothing.
    */
   context?: readonly string[] | undefined
+  /**
+   * Bootstrap mode (#297/#448): starting a brand-new project from an empty directory.
+   * Prepends the forceful {@link BOOTSTRAP_PREAMBLE} above the built-in prompt so the
+   * first turn stops for a plan instead of charging ahead. Default off.
+   */
+  bootstrap?: boolean | undefined
 }
 
 /**
@@ -202,6 +224,9 @@ export function systemPromptBlock(opts: SystemPromptOptions = {}): string {
   // alone under `--vanilla`, where there is no built-in prompt to frame).
   const context = opts.context?.map(d => d.trim()).filter(Boolean)
   if (context && context.length) parts.push(`Context: ${context.join(', ')}`)
+  // Bootstrap's override sits above the #326 prompt so it frames (and outranks) its
+  // "Unclear scope" / "Large scope" rules.
+  if (opts.bootstrap) parts.push(BOOTSTRAP_PREAMBLE)
   if (opts.antiLazyPill !== false) parts.push(renderSystemPrompt(opts.tf).system)
   const user = opts.user?.trim()
   if (user) parts.push(user)