When XLISP is started, it first tries to load the workspace 'xlisp.wks' from the current directory. If that file doesn't exist, XLISP builds an initial workspace, empty except for the built-in functions and symbols. Then XLISP attempts to load 'init.lsp' from the current directory. It then loads any files named as parameters on the command line [after appending '.lsp' to their names].
XLISP then issues the following prompt:
>
This indicates that XLISP is waiting for an expression to be typed. When a complete expression has been entered, XLISP attempts to evaluate that expression. If the expression evaluates successfully, XLISP prints the result and then returns to the initial prompt waiting for another expression to be typed.