acquire-codebase-knowledge

Maps codebase structures and generates seven standardized documentation files.

2|1|Updated Sep 16, 2024

Search Tags:#architecture #documentation #onboarding #codebase #analysis #discovery

Ready to run

npx skills add https://github.com/mvandermeulen/nvim --skill acquire-codebase-knowledge-mvandermeulen

💬 Prompt for ChatGPT / Claude Chat▼

Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: acquire-codebase-knowledge
Source: https://github.com/mvandermeulen/nvim/tree/main/.claude/skills/acquire-codebase-knowledge
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/mvandermeulen/nvim --skill acquire-codebase-knowledge-mvandermeulen

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

💡 This Skill includes scripts (resource) and references (resource) and assets (resource) components.

What problem does it solve?

This Skill solves the "onboarding gap" by automatically generating a comprehensive, verifiable documentation suite for any unfamiliar codebase, preventing hours of manual exploration.

Core Features & Use Cases

Automated Discovery: Scans project structure, dependencies, and CI/CD pipelines to build a complete architectural map.
Standardized Documentation: Produces seven essential documents including STACK, ARCHITECTURE, and CONCERNS to ensure team alignment.
Use Case: When joining a new project or inheriting a legacy repo, use this Skill to generate a full technical overview, identify high-churn files, and highlight technical debt without needing to manually read every file.

Quick Start

Run the acquire-codebase-knowledge skill from the root of your project to generate the full documentation suite in the docs/codebase directory.

Frequently Asked Questions about acquire-codebase-knowledge

High-intent search queries and answers about installing and using this skill.

FAQPage Schema

How do I generate documentation for an unfamiliar codebase?▼

You can map and document an existing codebase by running a scanning script from the project root. It analyzes project structures, manifest files, and CI/CD configurations to generate seven standardized documentation templates covering the stack, structure, and technical debt.

What is the best way to speed up developer onboarding for a legacy repo?▼

The best way to speed up developer onboarding is to generate a verifiable technical overview of the legacy repo. This automatically identifies high-churn files, highlights technical debt, and maps the architecture, preventing hours of manual code exploration.

Do I need Python to scan my project structure and manifest files?▼

Yes, you need Python 3.8 or higher and git installed to execute the scanning script. These dependencies are required to scan the project structure, validate findings against source files, and generate the architectural documentation.

What types of architecture documents are generated for a codebase?▼

The scanning process generates seven standardized documentation templates for a codebase. These include essential documents covering the STACK, ARCHITECTURE, and CONCERNS to ensure team alignment regarding the project structure and technical debt.

Can I identify technical debt without manually reading every source file?▼

Yes, you can identify technical debt without manually reading every source file by running an automated discovery scan. It validates findings against source files to highlight high-churn areas and generate technical overviews, closing the onboarding gap.