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/map-codebase

Derives the tech-stack doc from scratch by scanning the codebase — analyzes stack, architecture, and gray areas (error handling, API shapes) and persists findings into specs/tech-architecture/tech-stack.md. Run when the tech doc doesn't exist yet; use survey-context to consume

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Install
$ npx -y skills add danielvm-git/bigpowers --skill map-codebase --agent claude-code

How it fires

How this skill gets triggered: by you, by Claude, or both.

  • Fires itselfAuto-invocation. Claude auto-loads it when your prompt matches the work.Auto-invocation is when the right skill fires by itself at the right moment, driven by a FLOW.md router and a hook, instead of you invoking it by name. It is the difference between a skill being installed and a skill actually getting used.Read the full definition →
  • You can call itInvoke it directly when you want it.
  • Slash command/map-codebase

Context preview

The summary Claude sees to decide when to auto-load this skill.

Derives the tech-stack doc from scratch by scanning the codebase — analyzes stack, architecture, and gray areas (error handling, API shapes) and persists findings into specs/tech-architecture/tech-stack.md. Run when the tech doc doesn't exist yet; use survey-context to consume

SKILL.md

map-codebase.SKILL.md
name: map-codebase
model: sonnet
effort: standard
description: "Derives the tech-stack doc from scratch by scanning the codebase — analyzes stack, architecture, and gray areas (error handling, API shapes) and persists findings into specs/tech-architecture/tech-stack.md. Run when the tech doc doesn't exist yet; use survey-context to consume it once it does."

Map Codebase

Perform a deep architectural and structural analysis of the codebase. Unlike `survey-context` which identifies "where we are", `map-codebase` identifies "what we are dealing with" and "how things are done".

> **Use this vs survey-context:** `map-codebase` BUILDS the tech-stack doc by scanning the codebase from scratch. `survey-context` READS existing specs/tech-architecture docs without re-deriving them. Run `map-codebase` when `specs/tech-architecture/tech-stack.md` doesn't exist yet; run `survey-context` when it does.

> **HARD GATE** — Cold analysis only. Do NOT assume architectural patterns without reading the code. If the codebase structure surprises you, call out the delta.

Process

1. Identify Core Stack & Dependencies

  • Scan `package.json`, `Cargo.toml`, `requirements.txt`, etc.
  • Identify primary framework, runtime, and critical libraries (ORM, Auth, State, UI).
  • Note version constraints and any deprecated or unusual dependencies.

2. Map High-Level Architecture

  • Identify the entry points (CLI, Web, API).
  • Map the primary data flow (e.g., Controller → Service → Repository).
  • Identify where business logic lives vs. where I/O lives.
  • Look for established patterns (e.g., hexagonal, layered, feature-folders).

3. Analyze "Gray Areas" (The "How")

Search for patterns and anti-patterns in these categories:

  • **Error Handling:** Are exceptions caught early or bubbled? Is there a global error handler? Are error messages structured?
  • **API Shapes:** Is it REST, GraphQL, or RPC? What is the casing (camelCase, snake_case)? How are responses structured?
  • **Type Safety:** Is it strictly typed? Are there many `any` or `unsafe` blocks? Are interfaces used for DIP?
  • **Observability:** Is there structured logging? Are there health checks? Where do logs go?
  • **Testing:** What is the test coverage strategy? Are mocks used? Where do tests live?

4. Identify Planning "Signals"

Look for signals that will influence upcoming plans:

  • **Consistency Gaps:** "Half the project uses async/await, the other half uses Promises."
  • **Debt Hotspots:** "The `AuthManager` is 1500 lines and handles both JWT and session logic."
  • **Integration Points:** "We need to talk to the Stripe API, but there's no wrapper yet."
  • **Conventions:** "The team always uses functional components over classes."

5. Persist to specs/tech-architecture/tech-stack.md

Compile all findings into `specs/tech-architecture/tech-stack.md`. This file serves as the project's "Long-Term Memory".

# Project Context

## Stack
- [Framework/Language]
- [Key Libraries]

## Architecture
- [Pattern Description]
- [Data Flow]

## Conventions (Observed)
- [Error Handling Pattern]
- [API Design]
- [Type System]

## Signals / Active Considerations
- [Gap 1]
- [Hotspot 2]

When to Use

  • When first joining a project.
  • Before a major refactor or architectural change.
  • When `survey-context` reveals a lack of domain knowledge.
  • To refresh `specs/tech-architecture/tech-stack.md` after significant changes.
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