/xexplore

description: Explore a codebase topic before making changes (read-only)
tags: [exploration, codebase, discovery, read-only]

Codebase Exploration

Comprehensively search the codebase for a topic before making any changes. Read-only — no files are modified.

Usage Examples

**Explore a topic:**

/xexplore authentication

**Explore a specific area:**

/xexplore database migrations

**Help and options:**

/xexplore help
/xexplore --help

Implementation

If $ARGUMENTS contains "help" or "--help": Display this usage information and exit.

If $ARGUMENTS is empty: Tell the user: "Please provide a topic to explore. Example: /xexplore authentication" Stop and wait for input.

Step 1: Search by File Name

Find files whose names match the topic:

find . -iname "*$ARGUMENTS*" ! -path "*/node_modules/*" ! -path "*/.git/*" ! -path "*/vendor/*" 2>/dev/null | head -30

Step 2: Search by Content

Grep the codebase for the topic keyword:

• Search all source files for content matching $ARGUMENTS
• Capture file paths and line numbers for key matches
• Limit to first 20 matches per file to avoid flooding

Step 3: Search Configuration

Check config files specifically:

• `*.json`, `*.yaml`, `*.yml`, `*.toml`, `*.env*`, `*.ini`
• Look for the topic in config values, keys, and comments

Step 4: Search Tests

Find test files related to the topic:

• Patterns: `*test*`, `*spec*`, `__tests__/`
• Check both file names and file content

Step 5: Search Documentation

Check docs for the topic:

• `*.md` files, `docs/` directory, `README*`
• Wiki or guide references

Step 6: Report

Present findings in a structured inventory:

## Exploration Report: [topic]

### Source Files (N found)
- path/to/file.ts:42 — [matching line preview]

### Tests (N found)
- tests/path/to/test.ts:15 — [matching line preview]

### Configuration (N found)
- config/settings.json:8 — [matching line preview]

### Documentation (N found)
- docs/guide.md:23 — [matching line preview]

If nothing is found:

• Tell the user: "No matches found for '[topic]'."
• Suggest broadening the search or trying alternate terms.

**Do NOT make any changes to any files. This command is read-only.**