extracting-code-structure

name	extracting-code-structure
description	Extracts file structure (functions, classes, exports) efficiently without reading entire files, using ast-grep, Dart/Flutter analyzer, ctags, or other language-specific tools to get outlines and signatures. Use this skill when listing all methods, functions, or classes in a file, exploring unfamiliar code, getting API overviews, or deciding what to read selectively

Code Structure Exploration Tools

Always invoke extracting-code-structure skill to extract file structure - do not execute bash commands directly.

Recognizing Structure Questions

These keywords mean use structure tools, NOT grep/search:

• "all the methods/functions/classes in..."
• "list of function signatures"
• "what functions/exports/API..."
• "package API" or "module exports"
• "method signatures with receivers" (Dart/Flutter, TypeScript)
• "what's available in..."

These keywords mean use search (Grep tool or extracting-code-structure skill):

• "where is X defined"
• "find calls to X"
• "search for pattern Y"

Before You Choose a Tool

Ask yourself:

1. Am I listing/exploring what exists? → Structure tools
2. Am I finding WHERE something is? → Search tools (Grep or ast-grep)
3. Am I understanding HOW something works? → Read

When to Get File Outline vs Read

Get outline/index when:

• File is large (>500 lines)
• Need to see what's available (functions, classes, exports)
• Exploring unfamiliar code
• Want to decide what to read in detail
• Saves 90%+ context vs reading entire file

Just use Read when:

• File is small (<500 lines)
• Already know what you're looking for
• Need to understand implementation details
• extracting-code-structure pattern already targets what you need

Anti-Patterns

DON'T use grep/rg/Grep tool for:

• Extracting function/method lists
• Getting API overviews
• Finding all exports/public members
• Getting signatures/interfaces

These are STRUCTURE queries, not SEARCH queries.

Default Strategy

Invoke extracting-code-structure skill for extracting file structure (functions, classes, exports) efficiently without reading entire files.

Use ast-grep patterns, Dart/Flutter analyzer, ctags, or language-specific tools to get outlines and signatures. Dart/Flutter and JavaScript/TypeScript support have highest priority.

Exploration Strategy

Tiered approach (try in order):

1. ast-grep with known patterns - Fast, targeted (highest priority)

   • Extract exports, functions, classes with specific patterns
   • See code structure guide for patterns, including comprehensive Dart/Flutter support

2. Toolchain-specific approaches - When available

   • Dart/Flutter analyzer - Comprehensive structure extraction for .dart files
     • See code structure guide for Dart/Flutter patterns
   • ctags/universal-ctags: Symbol index across languages
   • See code structure guide for examples

3. Read file - Last resort for exploration

   • Sometimes necessary to understand structure

Key Principle

Use structure tools to decide what to read, then read selectively.

Don't read 1000-line files blind. Get an outline first, then read the 50 lines you actually need.

Skill Combinations

For Discovery and Exploration

• extracting-code-structure → fd: Find files of a specific type, then get structure
• extracting-code-structure → ripgrep: Understand structure, then search for specific patterns
• extracting-code-structure → analyzing-code-structure: Get outline, then perform structural refactoring
• extracting-code-structure → jq/yq: Understand API structures before extracting data

In Refactoring Workflows

• extracting-code-structure → fzf → analyzing-code-structure: Interactive selection of components to refactor
• extracting-code-structure → ripgrep → sd: Find patterns and perform replacements

For Documentation and Analysis

• extracting-code-structure → tokei: Get statistics for specific code components
• extracting-code-structure → bat: View structure with syntax highlighting

Multi-Skill Workflows

• extracting-code-structure → ripgrep → analyzing-code-structure → bat: Complete code analysis and refactoring pipeline
• extracting-code-structure → fd → jq/yq: Find and analyze configuration structures
• extracting-code-structure → fzf → sd: Interactive selection and modification of code elements

Integration Examples

# Get structure and find all methods
ast-grep -r 'function $FUNC($$$ARGS) {$$$BODY}' src/ | fzf | cut -d: -f1 | xargs -I {} bat {}

# Understand API and extract usage
yq '.endpoints' api.yml | fzf | ripgrep -A 10 -B 5

Detailed Patterns

For language-specific extraction patterns, ast-grep examples, ctags usage, and integration strategies, load code structure guide when needing:

• Dart/Flutter specific patterns and analyzer usage
• Language-specific extraction strategies
• ctags configuration and usage
• Comprehensive workflow examples
• Tool selection guidance for different languages