codebase-navigation

# Codebase Navigation Before modifying unfamiliar code, build a mental model. **Exploration strategy:** 1. Start with entry points: `main.py`, `__init__.py`, `index.ts`, `App.tsx`. 2. Follow imports to understand dependency structure. 3. Find the data model first — it shapes everything else. 4. Read tests: they document expected behavior better than comments. 5. 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.