jskim — Java Token Saver for Spring Boot

A CLI tool that summarizes Java files compactly, saving 70-80% of input tokens. Optimized for Spring Boot projects with Lombok, REST controllers, DI wiring, and configuration properties.

Requirements

Python 3.10+ — install via pip:

pip install jskim

Before first use, verify jskim is installed by running jskim --version. If you get "command not found", tell the user:

jskim is not installed. Install it with: pip install jskim

Do not attempt to run jskim commands until it is confirmed installed. Fall back to the Read tool if the user declines to install it.

Usage

jskim auto-detects whether you're pointing at a file or directory, and whether you're asking for a summary or method extraction.

Single file summary

Summarizes a Java file — collapses imports, fields, boilerplate (getters/setters/equals/hashCode), and shows method signatures with line ranges. Shows annotation parameters for key Spring annotations (@GetMapping("/path"), @Value("${key}"), @ConfigurationProperties("prefix"), etc.).

jskim <file.java>
jskim <file.java> --grep <pattern>       # filter methods by name/signature
jskim <file.java> --annotation <@Ann>    # filter methods by annotation
jskim A.java B.java C.java               # multiple files

Filters (useful for large files with many methods):

• --grep billing — show only methods whose signature contains "billing" (case-insensitive)
• --annotation @Transactional — show only methods with that annotation
• Filters apply to the method listing only. Header, fields, and inner types are always shown.
• Filters can be combined: --grep create --annotation @PostMapping

Project map

Generates a compact map of all Java files in a directory — packages, classes, annotations, field/method counts, Lombok usage, enum constants.

jskim <src_dir>
jskim <src_dir> --deps                          # import-based dependencies
jskim <src_dir> --endpoints                     # REST endpoint map
jskim <src_dir> --beans                         # Spring bean DI graph + @Bean producers + config properties
jskim <src_dir> --package <prefix>               # filter by package
jskim <src_dir> --annotation <@Ann>              # filter by class annotation
jskim <src_dir> --extends <ClassName>            # filter by superclass
jskim <src_dir> --implements <Interface>        # filter by implemented interface

Filters (essential for large projects with hundreds of files):

• --package com.stw.server.tripsheet — only show classes in that package (prefix match)
• --annotation @RestController — only show classes with that annotation
• --extends BaseService — only show classes extending that superclass
• --implements EventPublisher — only show classes implementing that interface
• --deps — show which classes depend on which (uses imports, runs in seconds even on 2000+ files)
• --endpoints — list all REST endpoints: HTTP method, path, handler method, line number
• --beans — show Spring bean DI graph, @Bean factory method producers, and @ConfigurationProperties with field details
• Filters can be combined: --package com.example --annotation @Service --deps --endpoints --beans

Diff mode

Summarizes only the Java files and methods changed in a git diff. Ideal for PR reviews — instead of reading full files, get structural context for just the changed parts.

jskim --diff HEAD~1                    # changes since last commit
jskim --diff main                      # changes vs main branch
jskim --diff main...feature-branch     # merge-base comparison
jskim src/ --diff HEAD~1               # scoped to directory
git diff main | jskim --diff -         # read diff from stdin

Output markers:

• [NEW] — file or method that was added
• [MODIFIED] — method whose body was changed
• [DELETED] — file or method that was removed
• → calls shown for new/modified methods (same format as file summary)
• Getters, setters, and boilerplate changes are suppressed (not interesting)
• Unchanged methods are counted but not listed

Method extraction

Extracts method source code with context (fields, called methods, annotations, Javadoc).

jskim <file.java> --list                         # list all methods
jskim <file.java> <method_name>                   # extract one method
jskim <file.java> <method1> <method2> <method3>   # extract multiple

Multiple methods — pass all names in one call instead of running the script multiple times. This is useful when you need a method and the methods it calls:

• Deduplicates results automatically
• Reports any names that weren't found: // not found: methodX
• Shows "called methods in same class" across all extracted methods

Reading the output

File summary output format

// path/to/File.java
// com.example.billing | 12 imports: java.util(3), jakarta.persistence(2), ...
// lombok: @Data: getters, setters, toString, equals, hashCode
// @RestController @RequestMapping("/api/v1/billing")
// public class BillingController extends BaseController
//
// fields:
//   BillingRepository billingRepo (@Autowired)
//   BillingValidator validator
//   AuditLogger auditLogger
//   String tenantId
//
// getters: getName, getStatus              <- collapsed, names only
// setters: setName, setStatus              <- collapsed, names only
// boilerplate: toString, hashCode, equals  <- collapsed, names only
// methods:
//     L18-L21 (  4 lines): public BillingController(BillingService svc, BillingValidator v)
//     L45-L62 ( 18 lines): @PostMapping public Bill createBill(BillDTO dto)
//                → auditLogger.log, billingService.create, notifyStakeholders, validator.validate
//     L64-L80 ( 17 lines): @GetMapping("/{id}") public Bill getBill(Long id)
//                → billingService.findById
//     L82-L95 ( 14 lines): @PutMapping("/{id}") public Bill updateBill(Long id, BillDTO dto)
//                → auditLogger.log, billingService.findById, billingService.update, validator.validate
//
// inner types:
//   L90: public static enum Status
//
// other classes in file:
//   L100: class BillingHelper [2F, 3M]     <- 2F = 2 fields, 3M = 3 methods
//
// total: 120 lines

For enums:

// public enum BillStatus
//
// constants: DRAFT, PENDING, APPROVED, REJECTED
//
// fields:
//   String label

• L45-L62 = line range in the file (use with Read offset/limit)
• ( 18 lines) = method body length
• → = method calls — lists direct method invocations made by this method (sorted alphabetically)
  • Noise is auto-filtered: collection ops (put, get, add, remove, stream, collect), utility checks (Objects.equals, StringUtils.isBlank, MapUtils.isEmpty), logging (log.info, logger.debug), type conversions (toString, valueOf), and stream plumbing (map, filter, forEach) are excluded
  • Chained/fluent calls (streams, builders) are excluded — only the root call on a simple object is shown
  • Calls are capped at 10 per method; overflow shown as ... +N more
  • Abstract methods and methods with no calls have no → line
• Spring annotation parameters are preserved: @GetMapping("/{id}"), @Value("${config.key}")
• getters/setters/boilerplate are collapsed to names only — no line ranges, no calls, not worth reading
• NF = N fields, NM = N methods (used for inner/extra types)
• Enum constants are listed inline
• Static initializer blocks shown with line ranges: // static initializer (L10-L25, 16 lines)

Interpreting → method calls

The → line shows business-logic calls only — boilerplate noise (collection ops, logging, utility checks, stream plumbing, type conversions) is automatically filtered out. What remains is high-signal:

Dependency calls (match a field in fields:):

• billingService.create → field BillingService billingService exists → injected dependency call. Follow this.
• validator.validate → field BillingValidator validator exists → dependency call. Follow this.

Same-class calls (no dot prefix):

• notifyStakeholders → unqualified name → private/inherited method in the same class. Use jskim File.java notifyStakeholders to read it.

Accessor calls on parameters/locals (do NOT match any field):

• dto.getName, order.getId → getter calls on method parameters or local variables. Usually not worth tracing.

Rule of thumb: If the object name before the dot matches a field name in the fields: section, it's a dependency call worth following. If it doesn't match any field, it's likely an accessor on a parameter or local — lower priority for tracing.

Project map output format

// Project Map: 42 files, 8500 lines
//
// com.example.billing (5 files, 600 lines)
//   class BillingService @Service [3F | 8M | 120L | lombok:Data]
//   class BillingRepository @Repository [0F | 5M | 45L]
//   class BillDTO @Data [7F | 0M | 30L | lombok:Data,Builder]
//   enum BillStatus { DRAFT, PENDING, APPROVED, REJECTED } [0F | 0M | 15L]
//   interface BillingPort [0F | 3M | 20L]

With --endpoints:

// === REST Endpoints ===
//   GET     /api/v1/billing         BillingController.list()      L45
//   POST    /api/v1/billing         BillingController.create()    L62
//   GET     /api/v1/billing/{id}    BillingController.get()       L70
//   PUT     /api/v1/billing/{id}    BillingController.update()    L80
//   DELETE  /api/v1/billing/{id}    BillingController.delete()    L90

With --beans:

// === Bean Dependencies ===
//   BillingService @Service <- BillingRepository, BillValidator, KafkaTemplate
//   BillingController @RestController <- BillingService, AuthService
//
// === Bean Producers (@Bean) ===
//   AppConfig @Configuration -> ObjectMapper, TaskScheduler, NotificationClient
//
// === Configuration Properties ===
//   billing.* (BillingProperties): BigDecimal taxRate, String currency, int maxRetries

With --deps:

// === Dependencies ===
//   BillingService -> BillingRepository, BillDTO, BillingPort

• NF = N fields, NM = N methods, NL = N lines in file
• lombok:Data,Builder = Lombok annotations present on the class
• inner:Foo,Bar = inner classes/enums inside this class
• Enum constants shown inline: enum Status { ACTIVE, INACTIVE }
• Dependencies (--deps) = import-based class references
• Endpoints (--endpoints) = all @GetMapping/@PostMapping/etc. with full paths
• Beans (--beans) = DI wiring, @Bean factory method producers, and @ConfigurationProperties

Method extraction output format

With --list:

// public class BillingService extends BaseService
//
//     L45-L62 ( 18 lines): @PostMapping public Bill createBill(BillDTO dto)
//     L64-L80 ( 17 lines): public void processBill(Long id)

With method names:

// public class BillingService extends BaseService
// fields: BillingRepository billingRepo, String tenantId
//
// @PostMapping public Bill createBill(BillDTO dto) (L45-L62)
//
//   45 |     @PostMapping
//   46 |     public Bill createBill(BillDTO dto) {
//        ...full method source with line numbers...
//   62 |     }
//
// --- called methods in same class ---
//   L64-L80: public void processBill(Long id)

• Shows full method source with line numbers
• fields: lists class fields for context
• called methods in same class shows other methods referenced in the extracted method bodies
• // not found: methodX appears if a requested method name wasn't found

Workflow

Follow this order to minimize tokens:

1. Explore -> jskim src/ to understand project structure
2. Narrow -> jskim src/ --package com.example.billing to focus on relevant package
3. Spring context -> jskim src/ --endpoints --beans to see REST API + DI wiring
4. Understand -> jskim File.java to see class structure (fields, methods, line ranges, and method calls)
5. Trace -> Use → calls to follow execution: match fieldName.method against fields: to find the target class type, then skim that class to continue
6. Filter -> jskim File.java --grep billing if the class has many methods
7. Focus -> jskim File.java methodA methodB to read the methods you need
8. Edit -> Use Read with offset/limit on only the lines that matter, then Edit normally

Tracing call flow across files (step-by-step example)

Goal: Understand what happens when POST /api/v1/billing is called.

Step 1: jskim BillingController.java
        → See: createBill() calls billingService.create, validator.validate
        → See fields: BillingService billingService, BillingValidator validator

Step 2: jskim BillingService.java
        → See: create() calls billingRepo.save, eventPublisher.publish, calculateTax
        → See fields: BillingRepository billingRepo, EventPublisher eventPublisher

Step 3: jskim BillingService.java calculateTax
        → Read the method source to understand the tax logic

Done — you traced Controller → Service → Repository in 3 tool calls,
reading ~50 lines of skim output instead of ~500 lines of raw Java.

Finding callers (reverse lookup)

The → calls show what a method calls (downstream). To find what calls a method (upstream), combine Grep with jskim:

Goal: Who calls billingService.create()?

Step 1: Grep for "\.create(" across *.java files → find calling files
Step 2: jskim each calling file → see which methods contain the call and their full context

For finding all usages of a method within the same project:

• jskim src/ --grep create — scans all files but only shows methods matching "create"
• Grep "create(" --glob "*.java" — finds raw references, then skim the files to understand context

When to use each tool

When to use jskim --diff vs git diff

jskim --diff gives structural context — which methods were added, modified, or deleted, with signatures and call graphs. git diff gives the actual code changes. They serve different purposes:

Use jskim --diff when:

• The diff is large (1000+ lines, 10+ files) and you need to triage what changed before diving in
• Changed files are large (300+ lines each) — skim tells you which methods were affected without reading entire files
• You need to understand the shape/scope of changes across many files before reviewing details
• You want to identify which modified methods call what, to assess blast radius

Use git diff directly (skip jskim --diff) when:

• The diff is small (< ~1000 lines total) — you can read the entire diff faster than running jskim and then reading the diff anyway
• All changed files are small (< 150 lines each) — the skim output is roughly the same size as the raw diff, so it saves nothing
• You've already read the full git diff — running jskim after is redundant
• You need to review actual code logic, not just structure — jskim shows signatures and call graphs, not the changed lines themselves. For bug hunting and code review, you still need the real diff

Key insight: jskim --diff is a triage tool, not a replacement for reading the diff. Use it first on large diffs to decide where to focus, then read the actual changes with git diff or Read. On small diffs, skip it entirely and go straight to git diff.

When NOT to use jskim

• Small files (<100 lines) — just use Read directly, skim overhead isn't worth it
• Small diffs (< ~1000 lines) — git diff is faster and gives you more useful information than jskim --diff
• You already have line numbers — if Grep already told you the exact lines, use Read with offset/limit directly. Don't waste a tool call on jskim.
• You already read the full diff — don't run jskim --diff after reading git diff; the structural info is already in context
• Generated code — JOOQ output, Protobuf stubs, Swagger-generated clients. These are mechanical and don't benefit from summarization.
• Non-Java files — this tool only handles .java files
• The user asked to read the full file — respect the request, use Read

Rules

• Run jskim before using the Read tool on a Java file when you don't already know where to look (no line numbers from grep, no prior context). Skip jskim if you already have the line range you need.
• Use the line ranges from skim output to Read with offset and limit — never read the whole file when you only need one method
• When exploring a new Java project, start with jskim <src_dir> to understand the structure
• For large projects (500+ files), use --package to scope project map output
• For large classes (300+ lines, many methods), use --grep or --annotation to filter output
• For editing: use the Read tool with offset/limit to get the exact lines, then Edit normally — skim is for understanding, not for editing
• When you need multiple related methods, extract them all in one jskim File.java method1 method2 call
• When tracing call flow, check the → calls against the fields: section to identify dependency calls vs parameter accessor noise

Fallback — if jskim crashes

If jskim fails (syntax error, unexpected Java construct, Python not found, etc.), do not stop or ask the user to fix it. Fall back to your native tools:

1. Use the Read tool to read the Java file directly
2. Produce a similar compact summary yourself — list the package, key annotations, fields (type + name), and method signatures with line ranges
3. Continue with the workflow as normal

The goal is always: understand the Java file's structure with minimal tokens. jskim is the fast path, but you can always do it yourself if it breaks.

What $ARGUMENTS is for

If the user invokes /jskim with arguments:

• If argument is a .java file -> run jskim $ARGUMENTS
• If argument is a directory -> run jskim $ARGUMENTS
• If argument is <file.java> <method> -> run jskim $ARGUMENTS
• If no arguments -> explain the available tools