how

Explains codebase architecture and subsystem flows through parallel explorer agents and optional multi-model critique.

Updated Sep 2, 2026
One-click install
npx skills add https://github.com/jnyross/pstack-muse --skill how-jnyross
Or copy as Structured Prompt for Agent
Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: how
Source: https://github.com/jnyross/pstack-muse/tree/main/skills/how
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/jnyross/pstack-muse --skill how-jnyross

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

💡 This Skill includes references (resource) components.

What problem does it solve? Answering "how does X work" in an unfamiliar codebase requires hours of manual code reading, and architectural questions like "where should this live" or "is this the right layer" demand a synthesized mental model that is hard to build alone. ## Core Features & Use Cases - Explain Mode: Decomposes complex subsystem questions into parallel explorer agents that trace code paths, then synthesizes findings into a structured architectural explanation with overview, key concepts, flow, file map, and gotchas. - Critique Mode: After explaining, spawns multiple independent model critics that evaluate the architecture against a rubric covering abstraction fit, data model, boundary discipline, and evolution readiness, with findings triaged by a lead judgment pass. - Use Case: Before modifying a billing flow, ask how on-demand usage billing works and receive a senior-engineer-level walkthrough of the trigger, data flow, decision points, and the files you need to touch, plus an optional architectural critique. ## Quick Start Ask how the rate limiter subsystem works and request an architectural explanation before making changes.

Frequently Asked Questions about how

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

FAQPage Schema
How do I understand how a subsystem works before changing it?

Ask a "how does X work" question and the skill explores the codebase, traces the flow from entry point to output, and returns a structured explanation covering key concepts, step-by-step flow, file locations, and gotchas.

How does the skill handle simple versus complex architecture questions?

Simple questions about a single module are answered by one agent that explores and explains in a single pass. Complex subsystem questions are split into 2-4 parallel explorer agents whose findings a separate explainer synthesizes.

Can it critique architecture instead of just explaining it?

Yes. Critique mode first produces the full explanation, then spawns one critic per configured model that reviews the actual code against a rubric covering abstraction fit, data model, boundaries, and evolution readiness.

What kinds of questions is this skill not meant for?

It targets how and where questions about architecture and runtime flow, not motivation. For why a decision was made, the documentation directs you to the separate why skill instead.

Do the explorer agents modify my code?

No. All explorer, explainer, and critic subagents run in read-only mode. They use Glob, Grep, and Read to inspect the code and return findings without making any changes.