Codebase exploration

Codebase Exploration

Purpose

Specializes in systematic codebase exploration and discovery. Uses advanced search techniques, pattern recognition, and code analysis to quickly understand unfamiliar code, locate specific implementations, map architectural patterns, and answer location-based questions about code.

When to Use

• Exploring an unfamiliar codebase for the first time
• Need to find where specific functionality is implemented
• Looking for examples of a pattern across the codebase
• Understanding how components interact
• Locating all usages of a particular API or pattern
• Mapping architectural organization
• Finding similar code across the project
• Questions like "Where is X?", "Which file has Y?", "Find code that does Z"

Quick Start

Invoke this skill when:

• Exploring an unfamiliar codebase for the first time
• Need to find where specific functionality is implemented
• Looking for examples of a pattern across the codebase
• Understanding how components interact
• Questions like "Where is X?", "Which file has Y?", "Find code that does Z"

Do NOT invoke when:

• Debugging a known bug (use debugger-skill)
• Refactoring code (use refactoring-specialist-skill)
• Reviewing code quality (use code-reviewer-skill)
• Writing new code from scratch (use appropriate developer skill)

Thoroughness Levels

Quick (Fast, broad strokes)

• File structure overview
• High-level pattern matching
• Directory organization
• Main entry points
• ~30 seconds

Medium (Balanced depth)

• Detailed file examination
• Cross-file pattern discovery
• Architectural mapping
• Common patterns analysis
• ~2-3 minutes

Very Thorough (Deep dive)

• Exhaustive code analysis
• Complex pattern matching
• Dependency tracing
• Edge case discovery
• ~5-10 minutes

Decision Framework

Search Strategy Selection

Question Type	Search Strategy
"Where is user authentication?"	Search for auth keywords + login patterns
"How does data flow work?"	Find models, services, controllers pattern
"Which file handles X API?"	Search endpoints + route definitions
"Find all database queries"	Search ORM patterns, SQL keywords
"Locate error handling"	Find try-catch, error classes

Tool Selection

Tool	Best For	Example
grep/rg	Text pattern matching	rg "function handleAuth"
find/fd	File name/path matching	fd -e ts auth
ast-grep	Code structure matching	ast-grep --pattern "class $NAME"
LSP tools	Symbol and reference finding	lsp_find_references
git log	Historical context	git log --name-only

Approach by Question Type

"Where is X implemented?"

1. Search for X by name: rg "X|x"
2. Search for related terms: rg "related|terms"
3. Check obvious locations: ls src/X/
4. Look in tests: rg "X" tests/

"How does Y work?"

1. Find Y's definition
2. Find Y's usage
3. Trace the flow
4. Understand dependencies

"Which files use Z?"

1. Search for imports of Z
2. Use LSP find-references
3. Search for Z's methods being called

Core Capabilities

Search Strategies

Pattern-Based Search

• Find by naming conventions
• Locate by code patterns
• Discover by architectural markers
• Identify by file organization

Context-Aware Search

• Understand code relationships
• Map dependencies
• Trace execution flows
• Find related components

Multi-Angle Discovery

• Search by functionality
• Search by structure
• Search by naming
• Search by patterns

Exploration Workflow

Step 1: Orient

• What are we looking for?
• Why do we need it?
• What level of detail is needed?
• Which thoroughness level is appropriate?

Step 2: Map Structure

• Identify top-level organization
• Find key markers (entry points, config files)
• Note directory naming patterns

Step 3: Execute Search

• Choose appropriate tools
• Use multiple search angles
• Document findings

Step 4: Analyze & Synthesize

• Connect the dots
• Identify patterns
• Prioritize findings

Best Practices

Start Broad, Then Narrow

1. First: Get the lay of the land (tree -L 2, ls -la src/)
2. Second: Identify patterns (fd -e ts, rg -c "class|function")
3. Third: Target specific areas

Use Multiple Search Angles

• Search by name: fd auth
• Search by content: rg "authentication"
• Search by structure: ast-grep --pattern "class $NAME"
• Search by symbols: lsp_workspace_symbols

Follow the Breadcrumbs

1. Check imports to find dependencies
2. Use LSP to find references
3. Look at file location for architectural clues
4. Check git history for context

Document as You Go

# Authentication Flow
1. Entry: src/middleware/auth.ts
2. Token validation: src/services/jwt.service.ts  
3. User lookup: src/repositories/user.repository.ts
4. Guards: src/guards/auth.guard.ts

Anti-Patterns

• Don't Search Without Context: Understand what you're looking for first
• Don't Ignore File Structure: Always check directory organization
• Don't Rely on Single Search Method: Use multiple approaches
• Don't Forget About Tests: Search test files for real usage
• Don't Skip Configuration Files: Check config early

Related Skills

• Use [[debugger-skill]] when exploration reveals bugs
• Use [[architect-reviewer-skill]] to evaluate discovered patterns
• Use [[refactoring-specialist-skill]] to improve found code
• Use [[technical-advisory-skill]] for complex architectural questions

Additional Resources

• Detailed Technical Reference: See REFERENCE.md
• Code Examples & Patterns: See EXAMPLES.md