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map-codebase

Skill288 starsChanged 5 days agoMITView on GitHub

Derives the tech-stack doc from scratch by scanning the codebase — analyzes stack, architecture, and gray areas (error handling, API shapes) and persists findings into specs/tech-architecture/tech-stack.md. Run when the tech doc doesn't exist yet; use survey-context to consume it once it does.

6 other projects use a version of this.

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The file

We split this skill into the rules it gives an agent

6 rules. 0 are common, 5 are distinctive, and 1 is very specific to this project.

  • 0

    Common

    Most of the 6 edited versions we read keep these.

  • 5

    Distinctive

    This author's own choices. Worth a look.

  • 1

    Very specific

    Tied to their project's names, files or tools. Probably skip.

  • Common
  • Distinctive
  • Very specific
  1. Distinctive:

    Look for established patterns (e.g., hexagonal, layered, feature-folders).

    line 27
  2. Distinctive:

    Search for patterns and anti-patterns in these categories:

    line 30
  3. Distinctive:

    Look for signals that will influence upcoming plans:

    line 38
  4. Distinctive:

    When first joining a project.

    line 69
  5. Distinctive:

    Before a major refactor or architectural change.

    line 70
  6. Very specific:

    When survey-context reveals a lack of domain knowledge.

    line 71

“Common” is measured: kept by at least 6 in 10 of the 6 edited versions of this file we could read. “Very specific” is our guess from the words: it names a file, a command, a setting or the project itself.

Keep what fits and drop the rest. Your version, ready for your agents.
Files
SKILL.md

Map Codebase

Perform a deep architectural and structural analysis of the codebase. Unlike survey-context which identifies "where we are", map-codebase identifies "what we are dealing with" and "how things are done".

Use this vs survey-context: map-codebase BUILDS the tech-stack doc by scanning the codebase from scratch. survey-context READS existing specs/tech-architecture docs without re-deriving them. Run map-codebase when specs/tech-architecture/tech-stack.md doesn't exist yet; run survey-context when it does.

HARD GATE — Cold analysis only. Do NOT assume architectural patterns without reading the code. If the codebase structure surprises you, call out the delta.

Process

1. Identify Core Stack & Dependencies

  • Scan package.json, Cargo.toml, requirements.txt, etc.
  • Identify primary framework, runtime, and critical libraries (ORM, Auth, State, UI).
  • Note version constraints and any deprecated or unusual dependencies.

2. Map High-Level Architecture

  • Identify the entry points (CLI, Web, API).
  • Map the primary data flow (e.g., Controller → Service → Repository).
  • Identify where business logic lives vs. where I/O lives.
  • Look for established patterns (e.g., hexagonal, layered, feature-folders).

3. Analyze "Gray Areas" (The "How")

Search for patterns and anti-patterns in these categories:

  • Error Handling: Are exceptions caught early or bubbled? Is there a global error handler? Are error messages structured?
  • API Shapes: Is it REST, GraphQL, or RPC? What is the casing (camelCase, snake_case)? How are responses structured?
  • Type Safety: Is it strictly typed? Are there many any or unsafe blocks? Are interfaces used for DIP?
  • Observability: Is there structured logging? Are there health checks? Where do logs go?
  • Testing: What is the test coverage strategy? Are mocks used? Where do tests live?

4. Identify Planning "Signals"

Look for signals that will influence upcoming plans:

  • Consistency Gaps: "Half the project uses async/await, the other half uses Promises."
  • Debt Hotspots: "The AuthManager is 1500 lines and handles both JWT and session logic."
  • Integration Points: "We need to talk to the Stripe API, but there's no wrapper yet."
  • Conventions: "The team always uses functional components over classes."

5. Persist to specs/tech-architecture/tech-stack.md

Compile all findings into specs/tech-architecture/tech-stack.md. This file serves as the project's "Long-Term Memory".

# Project Context

## Stack
- [Framework/Language]
- [Key Libraries]

## Architecture
- [Pattern Description]
- [Data Flow]

## Conventions (Observed)
- [Error Handling Pattern]
- [API Design]
- [Type System]

## Signals / Active Considerations
- [Gap 1]
- [Hotspot 2]

When to Use

  • When first joining a project.
  • Before a major refactor or architectural change.
  • When survey-context reveals a lack of domain knowledge.
  • To refresh specs/tech-architecture/tech-stack.md after significant changes.

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