# About the Handbook

The OCV Handbook is [Open Core Ventures'](https://www.opencoreventures.com/) source of truth for how we create new companies. It includes our recommendations and guidance for building and growing open core companies.  

This is a public handbook. Providing public access to our internal knowledge base supports our [mission](https://handbook.opencoreventures.com/about-ocv/mission-and-vision) to enable more people to become founders. The guidance shared in this handbook is continuously updated to reflect the current status of OCV operations and is subject to change. 

Contribute to this handbook by [submitting an issue](https://gitlab.com/opencore-ventures/ocv-handbook/-/issues). 

{% hint style="warning" %}
Do not rely on this handbook for legal, investment, or tax advice. Do not add personal or confidential information. 
{% endhint %}

## Quick Links

<table data-card-size="large" data-view="cards"><thead><tr><th></th><th></th><th data-hidden data-card-target data-type="content-ref"></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><h3>Startup Manual</h3></td><td>Advice for founders building open core companies.</td><td><a href="https://app.gitbook.com/s/vRFdFk6Bf7sA03777yVY/">Startup Manual</a></td></tr><tr><td><h3>Company Operations</h3></td><td>Operational procedures and guides for OCV founders.</td><td><a href="https://app.gitbook.com/s/F2Lpo0yTIjyJ7q0Km0D5/">Company Operations</a></td></tr><tr><td><h3>Catalyst</h3></td><td>Guidance on starting a new open source project.</td><td><a href="https://app.gitbook.com/s/PoqwmKdqT60DC9KPEDeB/">OCV Catalyst Program</a></td></tr><tr><td><h3>OCV Employees</h3></td><td>Handbook for internal OCV policies and operations.</td><td><a href="https://app.gitbook.com/o/UZ6yUebRvtK6SZtjUqi6/s/pN2JQhQnR6b7hpOuZkYO/">OCV Employees</a></td></tr></tbody></table>

## How to use the handbook <a href="#block-1cffeb7b074d8002b570e65fa196b1d6" id="block-1cffeb7b074d8002b570e65fa196b1d6"></a>

OCV founders, please consult the OCV handbook often. Use it as a first line of support. If something isn’t clear, ask for clarification.

The OCV team uses the handbook every day to provide shared context:

1. **Discussions:** Include a handbook link when adding discussion topics to agendas. Document any resulting decisions or changes.
2. **Feedback:** Include a handbook link when asking for guidance or feedback on an existing process, guideline, or startup advice.
3. **Onboarding:** The majority of founder onboarding is self-serve via handbook links. Share handbook links when following up on onboarding tasks.&#x20;
4. **Answering questions:** Provide a short answer covering any situation-based nuance and a link to where the question is covered in the handbook. Add the answer if it isn’t already in the handbook.


---

# Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation

If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter:

```
GET https://handbook.opencoreventures.com/readme.md?ask=<question>
```

The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.