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understand-codebase

Generate an evidence-backed ONBOARDING.md guide for inherited codebases.

6|1|Updated Apr 5, 2026
Search Tags:#repo documentation#codebase onboarding#secret safety#evidence-based analysis#contribution playbook#git-driven facts#multi-session context
One-click install
npx skills add https://github.com/snewhouse/aa-ma-forge --skill understand-codebase-snewhouse
Or copy as Structured Prompt for Agent▼
Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: understand-codebase
Source: https://github.com/snewhouse/aa-ma-forge/tree/main/claude-code/skills/understand-codebase
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/snewhouse/aa-ma-forge --skill understand-codebase-snewhouse

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

💡 This Skill requires TeamCreate, AskUserQuestion, WebSearch, WebFetch, SendMessage, TaskCreate, TaskList, TaskUpdate, Grep, Bash, Glob, Grep, Grep, Edit, Write, Read, Agent, and includes references (resource) components.

What problem does it solve?

It helps you reliably ramp up on an inherited or shared repository by producing an evidence-backed onboarding guide, including how to build/run/test it and how to contribute safely.

Core Features & Use Cases

  • Repo onboarding deliverables: generates a human-readable ONBOARDING.md plus a structured set of deep-dive notes under .claude/onboarding/.
  • Evidence-first codebase understanding: every claim must be backed by file paths, commands, or git facts, with gaps explicitly marked.
  • Tiered onboarding depth: supports Quick, Standard, and Deep tiers with progressively more parallel investigation.
  • Contribution playbooks: produces a contribute-safely playbook and an add-a-feature playbook grounded in real repo commands and files.

Quick Start

Run: /understand-codebase --standard to generate onboarding docs for your current repository (default path = cwd) before your first contribution.

Frequently Asked Questions about understand-codebase

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

FAQPage Schema
How do I onboard fast to an inherited codebase?▼

Onboard to an inherited codebase by generating an evidence-backed ONBOARDING.md guide using file paths, commands, and git facts. This creates a structured orientation document so teams can stop losing context across sessions.

What is the best way to prepare a safe first contribution to a shared repository?▼

Prepare safe first contributions by using a contribution playbook grounded in real repo commands and files. It generates an add-a-feature playbook and a contribute-safely guide based on evidence-based analysis of the codebase.

How do I generate documentation for a codebase using git history?▼

Generate repo documentation by running an evidence-first analysis that extracts git-driven facts and file paths. It produces a human-readable ONBOARDING.md plus optional AGENTS.md sidecars and deep-dive notes under .claude/onboarding/.

Does codebase onboarding analysis protect against exposing secrets?▼

Codebase onboarding analysis explicitly avoids secrets by applying safety protocols during evidence gathering. Every generated ONBOARDING.md file and review artifact is produced according to consent and safety guidelines.

Can I run deep multi-session codebase analysis for large repositories?▼

Deep multi-session codebase analysis supports large repositories by reusing prior artifacts when present. It offers Quick, Standard, and Deep tiers with progressively more parallel investigation to handle complex repo orientation.

When do I need to generate an ONBOARDING.md file for my team?▼

Generate an ONBOARDING.md file when you need to ramp up on an inherited or shared repository and stop losing context across sessions. It provides tiered onboarding depth from quick indexing to deep synthesis for new contributors.

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