explain

Trace file:line references to originating prompts and sessions.

Updated Jun 2, 2026
One-click install
npx skills add https://github.com/chicago-joe/manymems --skill explain-chicago-joe
Or copy as Structured Prompt for Agent
Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: explain
Source: https://github.com/chicago-joe/manymems/tree/main/plugin/skills/explain
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/chicago-joe/manymems --skill explain-chicago-joe

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

What problem does it solve?

Trace code provenance from prompts and sessions to explain why a function or line exists.

Core Features & Use Cases

  • Provenance tracing from file:line to prompt and session
  • Fallback to git log when provenance is unavailable
  • On-demand provenance search via the memory plugin
  • Debugging, auditing, and code-review use cases

Quick Start

Ask the AI to trace a file:line reference to identify the originating prompt and session.

Frequently Asked Questions about explain

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

FAQPage Schema
How do I trace code provenance from a file:line reference to its originating prompt?

Trace code provenance by supplying a file:line reference to retrieve the originating session and prompt, using the memory plugin to explain why the code exists.

What happens when code provenance lookup is unavailable during a debugging session?

When code provenance is unavailable, the system automatically falls back to executing a git log query to retrieve historical context for the targeted file and line.

Can I use code provenance tracing for auditing code across multi-user sessions?

Yes, code provenance tracing supports auditing by linking file:line references back to their originating prompts across multi-user sessions to verify code history.

How does tracing code history to prompts help with code reviews?

Tracing code history to prompts helps code reviews by revealing the exact session and intent that generated a function, clarifying its purpose and validating its implementation.

What is the best way to find why a specific function exists in my codebase?

To find why a function exists, request a provenance trace using the file:line reference to locate the exact prompt and session that authored the code.

Does code provenance tracing work without direct git log access?

Code provenance tracing relies on on-demand provenance search via the memory plugin first, only falling back to git log if the provenance data is unavailable.