codebase-summary

Analyze a codebase and generate comprehensive documentation including architecture, components, interfaces, workflows, and dependencies. Creates an AI-optimized knowledge base (index.md) and can consolidate into AGENTS.md, README.md, or CONTRIBUTING.md. Use when the user wants to document a codebase, create AGENTS.md, understand system architecture, generate developer documentation, or asks to "summarize the codebase".

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Install skill "codebase-summary" with this command: npx skills add m31uk3/ai-skills/m31uk3-ai-skills-codebase-summary

Codebase Summary

Generate comprehensive codebase documentation optimized for AI assistants and developers.

Parameters

Gather all parameters upfront in a single prompt:

ParameterDefaultDescription
codebase_pathCurrent directoryPath to analyze
output_dir.sop/summaryDocumentation output directory
consolidatefalseCreate consolidated file at codebase root
consolidate_targetAGENTS.mdTarget: AGENTS.md, README.md, or CONTRIBUTING.md
check_consistencytrueCheck for cross-document inconsistencies
check_completenesstrueIdentify documentation gaps
update_modefalseUpdate existing docs based on git changes

Workflow

Step 1: Setup

  1. Validate codebase_path exists
  2. Create output_dir if needed
  3. If update_mode and index.md exists:
    • Run git log --oneline -20 to identify recent changes
    • Focus analysis on modified components

Step 2: Analyze Structure

Run the structure analyzer:

python {baseDir}/scripts/analyze_structure.py "{codebase_path}" --depth 4 --output "{output_dir}/codebase_info.md"

Run the dependency extractor:

python {baseDir}/scripts/extract_dependencies.py "{codebase_path}" --output "{output_dir}/dependencies.md"

Then manually analyze:

  • Identify packages, modules, major components
  • Map architectural patterns (MVC, microservices, etc.)
  • Find key interfaces, APIs, entry points

Step 3: Generate Documentation

Create these files in {output_dir}/:

index.md - Primary AI context file:

  • AI instructions for using the documentation
  • Quick reference table mapping questions to files
  • Table of contents with summaries for each file
  • Brief codebase overview

architecture.md:

  • System architecture with Mermaid graph diagram
  • Layer descriptions
  • Design patterns used
  • Key design decisions with rationale

components.md:

  • Component overview with Mermaid classDiagram
  • Per-component: purpose, location, key files, dependencies, interface

interfaces.md:

  • API endpoints with request/response formats
  • Internal interfaces and implementations
  • Error codes and handling

data_models.md:

  • ER diagram with Mermaid erDiagram
  • Per-model: table, fields, indexes, relationships

workflows.md:

  • Key processes with Mermaid sequenceDiagram
  • Step-by-step breakdowns
  • Error handling

See {baseDir}/references/documentation-templates.md for templates.

Step 4: Review

If check_consistency:

  • Verify terminology consistency across documents
  • Check cross-references are valid

If check_completeness:

  • Identify undocumented components
  • Note gaps from language/framework limitations

Save findings to {output_dir}/review_notes.md.

Step 5: Consolidate (if enabled)

If consolidate is true:

  1. Create file at codebase root (not in output_dir)
  2. Use consolidate_target as filename
  3. Tailor content to target:
TargetFocus
AGENTS.mdAI context, directory structure, coding patterns, testing
README.mdProject overview, installation, usage, getting started
CONTRIBUTING.mdDev setup, coding standards, contribution workflow

Default AGENTS.md prompt: Focus on information NOT in README.md or CONTRIBUTING.md—file purposes, directory structure, coding patterns, testing instructions, package guidance.

Step 6: Summary

Report:

  1. What was documented
  2. Next steps for using documentation
  3. How to add index.md to AI assistant context
  4. If update_mode: summarize detected changes

Output Structure

{consolidate_target}           # At codebase root if consolidate=true
{output_dir}/
├── index.md                   # Primary AI context (read this first)
├── codebase_info.md          # Structure analysis output
├── architecture.md           # System architecture
├── components.md             # Component details
├── interfaces.md             # APIs and interfaces
├── data_models.md            # Data models
├── workflows.md              # Key workflows
├── dependencies.md           # Dependencies output
└── review_notes.md           # Review findings

Progress Indicators

Provide updates:

Setting up...
✅ Created {output_dir}

Analyzing structure...
✅ Found X packages across Y languages
✅ Identified Z components

Generating documentation...
✅ Created index.md
✅ Generated architecture.md, components.md...

Reviewing...
✅ Consistency check complete
✅ Found N gaps documented in review_notes.md

Done!
✅ Documentation at {output_dir}
✅ Primary context file: {output_dir}/index.md

Resources

  • Scripts: {baseDir}/scripts/analyze_structure.py, {baseDir}/scripts/extract_dependencies.py
  • Templates: {baseDir}/references/documentation-templates.md

Source Transparency

This detail page is rendered from real SKILL.md content. Trust labels are metadata-based hints, not a safety guarantee.

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