codebase-explorer

Perform semantic search and relationship mapping across codebases.

1|1|Updated Nov 16, 2025
One-click install
npx skills add https://github.com/chriskrycho/nova-rust-2 --skill codebase-explorer-chriskrycho
Or copy as Structured Prompt for Agent
Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: codebase-explorer
Source: https://github.com/chriskrycho/nova-rust-2/tree/main/.claude/skills/codebase-explorer
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/chriskrycho/nova-rust-2 --skill codebase-explorer-chriskrycho

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

What problem does it solves? This Skill empowers you to quickly understand unfamiliar codebases, identify key patterns, and map relationships between different code components. It eliminates the time-consuming manual effort of navigating large projects, allowing you to grasp complex systems efficiently.

Core Features & Use Cases:

  • Semantic Search: Find relevant code using natural language queries, beyond simple keyword matching.
  • Relationship Mapping: Discover how code components interact (calls, called by, implements, defines) to build a holistic understanding.
  • Contextual Code Reading: Precisely read relevant code snippets using line ranges, avoiding information overload.
  • Use Case: You've joined a new project and need to understand how the user authentication flow works. Use this skill to semantically search for "user authentication process," then follow the calls and called_by relationships to map out the entire system, reading only the critical code sections.

Quick Start: To start exploring the codebase, ask: "Explore the codebase to understand how the 'layout system' works." Or, to find specific code: "Find implementations related to 'error handling exception management'."

Frequently Asked Questions about codebase-explorer

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

FAQPage Schema
How do I understand a large codebase I'm unfamiliar with?

Semantic search lets you query codebases using natural language to find relevant code beyond keyword matching. You can then follow relationship maps—calls, called_by, implements, defines—to understand how components interact and build a complete picture of the system without manual navigation.

Can I search code across multiple programming languages in one project?

Yes. This Skill performs semantic search and relationship mapping across diverse languages and project structures, enabling targeted queries that work regardless of whether your codebase is Python, JavaScript, Java, or mixed-language.

How do I trace how a specific function or component is used throughout a codebase?

Use relationship mapping to discover calls, implementations, and definitions. The Skill returns structured results showing which functions call a target, which it calls, and related symbols, letting you map dependencies without reading every file.

Can I read only the relevant code sections instead of entire files?

Yes. Contextual code reading with line-range precision lets you fetch only critical snippets after search and relationship queries, avoiding information overload from large files.

Does this work with command-line workflows and Bash-based tools?

Yes. The Skill supports command-based workflows and integrates with Bash-based tools like codanna and sed for in-place code access, returning structured results with relevance scores and documentation.