| name | codebase-navigation |
| description | Use this skill when exploring an unfamiliar codebase, tracing code paths, or answering questions about how the system works. Read before writing, and build a mental model of the architecture before making changes. |
| category | coding |
Codebase Navigation
Before modifying unfamiliar code, build a mental model.
Exploration strategy:
- Start with entry points:
main.py, __init__.py, index.ts, App.tsx.
- Follow imports to understand dependency structure.
- Find the data model first — it shapes everything else.
- Read tests: they document expected behavior better than comments.
- Check git log: recent commits explain why things are the way they are.
Efficient search:
- Use file pattern search (glob) to find files by name/extension.
- Use content search (grep) to find where a function/class is defined vs. called.
- Search for the error message text to find the source location directly.
Anti-patterns:
- Modifying code without reading it first.
- Assuming file structure from another codebase.
- Grepping without a clear hypothesis of what you are looking for.
