Source Code as Agent Context

Use this Skill when

Integrating or debugging a package, SDK, framework, or open-source tool when docs are weak, stale, or incomplete—or when the agent is guessing API names that may not exist.

Inputs

• Package or repository name (and version if known)
• Product repo lockfiles / dependency manifests when present
• Optional: Captain-approved local reference path under reference/repos/

Prerequisites

Preferred (optional): opensrc CLI for fetch-and-cache of dependency source.

npm install -g opensrc
command -v opensrc   # must succeed before relying on opensrc path

See docs/integrations/opensrc.md in the control repo (or the installed product copy of that doc if present).

opensrc is not required for Compass install or doctor. If unavailable, use the fallback path below.

Procedure

1. Confirm the task needs implementation detail beyond types/docs (internal behavior, edge cases, current API shape).
2. Prefer opensrc when installed:
   • opensrc path <package> (npm; lockfile version via --cwd when useful)
   • opensrc path pypi:<package> / opensrc path crates:<crate> / opensrc path owner/repo
   • Search with rg, find, or read specific files under the returned path
3. If opensrc is unavailable, use a Captain-approved local checkout, e.g. reference/repos/github.com/<org>/<repo>, or an existing clone path the Captain provides. Do not invent large reference trees without approval.
4. Identify the concrete files/functions/examples used as reference.
5. Implement only the minimal product change needed.
6. In the summary, cite which source paths were searched and which symbols were followed.
7. If the API still cannot be found, stop and report—do not silently install a replacement package.

Output

Working change (under an approved plan when product behavior changes), plus a short citation of the source files/symbols referenced.

Prohibited actions

• Guessing API names when package/repo source is available to search
• Dumping entire repositories into chat context
• Installing alternative dependencies without Captain approval
• Treating opensrc as mandatory (fallback must remain valid)
• Fetching source for trivial questions that types or official docs already answer