| name | repo-onboarding |
| description | Use when entering an unfamiliar repository and you need a fast, dependable map of the runtime, quality gates, risk zones, and safest next steps before making changes. |
Repo Onboarding
Build context from the real execution path, not from folder names alone.
Selective Reading Rule
| File | Purpose | Read When |
|---|
handoff.md | compact output shape for the onboarding brief | before summarizing findings |
Workflow
- Read the top-level manifest, README, and directory layout.
- Find the actual app entrypoints and how the app starts in development and production.
- Identify build, lint, type-check, test, and deployment commands.
- Mark generated code, secrets boundaries, migrations, and high-risk integration points.
- Summarize the codebase in a compact note before proposing edits.
Deliverable
Produce an onboarding brief with:
- stack summary
- important directories
- entrypoints and run commands
- quality gates
- likely risk zones
- safest next step for the current task
Preferred Pairings
- Workflow:
.agents/workflows/plan.md or .agents/workflows/debug.md
- Primary subagent:
explorer
- Common supporting skills:
architecture, plan-writing, systematic-debugging
- Hand off to
planner or implementer only after the map is concrete enough
Avoid
- assuming the biggest folder is the main product
- proposing broad refactors before understanding execution flow
- treating docs as ground truth when code says otherwise