explore

Gather structured reconnaissance notes from codebases and technical topics.

5|Updated Feb 8, 2026
One-click install
npx skills add https://github.com/tiancaiamao/ai --skill explore-tiancaiamao
Or copy as Structured Prompt for Agent▼
Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: explore
Source: https://github.com/tiancaiamao/ai/tree/main/skills/explore
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/tiancaiamao/ai --skill explore-tiancaiamao

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

What problem does it solve?

This Skill helps you rapidly understand a codebase, repository, or technical topic by collecting the most relevant structure, behavior, and dependency information for later planning.

Core Features & Use Cases

  • Repository reconnaissance: Quickly map folders, modules, and major entry points in unfamiliar projects.
  • Architecture analysis: Identify component boundaries, integration paths, and patterns that matter for refactoring or extension.
  • Targeted research: Gather focused findings on specific subsystems such as authentication, RPC handling, storage, or CLI behavior.
  • Use case: Before changing a large project, use this Skill to produce a concise exploration brief that another agent can use to design or implement safely.

Quick Start

Use the explore skill to investigate the target repository and write a concise findings report to the specified markdown file.

Frequently Asked Questions about explore

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

FAQPage Schema
How do I map an unfamiliar codebase before starting a refactoring project?▼

To map an unfamiliar codebase for refactoring, use repository reconnaissance to quickly gather structured notes on folders, modules, and entry points. This produces a concise Markdown exploration brief covering architecture and dependencies for safe downstream planning.

What is the best way to analyze software architecture and module boundaries in a large repository?▼

Analyzing software architecture in a large repository involves identifying component boundaries, integration paths, and patterns. Search-first investigation collects focused findings on subsystems, ensuring completeness tracking to support extension or refactoring tasks.

Can I use subagent-based execution to gather technical research on specific subsystems like authentication or RPC handling?▼

Yes, you can use subagent-based execution to gather targeted technical research on specific subsystems like authentication or RPC handling. It applies search-first investigation to collect focused findings without modifying any project files.

Does codebase exploration modify my source files during architecture analysis?▼

Codebase exploration does not modify your source files during architecture analysis. It strictly performs read-only repository reconnaissance, gathering structured notes and writing a concise Markdown report to a specified file for later planning.

How do I track completeness when doing module discovery across an entire repository?▼

To track completeness during module discovery, the reconnaissance process applies structured information gathering with completeness tracking. This ensures all major entry points and component boundaries are accounted for in the final Markdown reporting.