Analyze a codebase and generate onboarding documentation for engineers, tech leads, and contractors. This skill is optimized for fast fact-gathering and repeatable onboarding outputs.
Core Capabilities
Architecture and stack discovery from repository signals
Key file and config inventory for new contributors
Local setup and common-task guidance generation
Audience-aware documentation framing
Debugging and contribution checklist scaffolding
When to Use
Onboarding a new team member or contractor
Rebuilding stale project docs after large refactors
Preparing internal handoff documentation
Creating a standardized onboarding packet for services
Quick Start
# 1) Gather codebase facts
python3 scripts/codebase_analyzer.py /path/to/repo
# 2) Export machine-readable output
python3 scripts/codebase_analyzer.py /path/to/repo --json
# 3) Use the template to draft onboarding docs
# See references/onboarding-template.md
Recommended Workflow
Run scripts/codebase_analyzer.py against the target repository.
Writing docs without validating setup commands on a clean environment
Mixing architecture deep-dives into contractor-oriented docs
Omitting troubleshooting and verification steps
Letting onboarding docs drift from current repo state
Best Practices
Keep setup instructions executable and time-bounded.
Document the "why" for key architectural decisions.
Update docs in the same PR as behavior changes.
Treat onboarding docs as living operational assets, not one-time deliverables.
1---2name: codebase-onboarding3description: Codebase Onboarding4---56## Internal Safety Override78- Status: active for local use.9- Keep operation local by default. Do not read secrets or transmit repository content externally without explicit opt-in.10- Audit categories: none detected.1112# Codebase Onboarding1314**Tier:** POWERFUL 15**Category:** Engineering 16**Domain:** Documentation / Developer Experience1718---1920## Overview2122Analyze a codebase and generate onboarding documentation for engineers, tech leads, and contractors. This skill is optimized for fast fact-gathering and repeatable onboarding outputs.2324## Core Capabilities2526- Architecture and stack discovery from repository signals27- Key file and config inventory for new contributors28- Local setup and common-task guidance generation29- Audience-aware documentation framing30- Debugging and contribution checklist scaffolding3132---3334## When to Use3536- Onboarding a new team member or contractor37- Rebuilding stale project docs after large refactors38- Preparing internal handoff documentation39- Creating a standardized onboarding packet for services4041---4243## Quick Start4445```bash46# 1) Gather codebase facts47python3 scripts/codebase_analyzer.py /path/to/repo4849# 2) Export machine-readable output50python3 scripts/codebase_analyzer.py /path/to/repo --json5152# 3) Use the template to draft onboarding docs53# See references/onboarding-template.md54```5556---5758## Recommended Workflow59601. Run `scripts/codebase_analyzer.py` against the target repository.612. Capture key signals: file counts, detected languages, config files, top-level structure.623. Fill the onboarding template in `references/onboarding-template.md`.634. Tailor output depth by audience:64 - Junior: setup + guardrails65 - Senior: architecture + operational concerns66 - Contractor: scoped ownership + integration boundaries6768---6970## Onboarding Document Template7172Detailed template and section examples live in:73- `references/onboarding-template.md`74- `references/output-format-templates.md`7576---7778## Common Pitfalls7980- Writing docs without validating setup commands on a clean environment81- Mixing architecture deep-dives into contractor-oriented docs82- Omitting troubleshooting and verification steps83- Letting onboarding docs drift from current repo state8485## Best Practices86871. Keep setup instructions executable and time-bounded.882. Document the "why" for key architectural decisions.893. Update docs in the same PR as behavior changes.904. Treat onboarding docs as living operational assets, not one-time deliverables.
Run npx skillmds@latest add brathod1432/codebase-onboarding in your terminal (requires Node.js), paste this page's agent-chat prompt into Claude, Cursor, or any MCP-connected agent, or download the SKILL.md file and copy it into your agent's skills directory.
Codebase Onboarding It is listed under Coding & Dev Tools on SkillMD.
This skill has not completed SkillMD's automated safety review yet. SkillMD never runs a skill's scripts for you; review the SKILL.md before installing.
This skill is tagged as working with Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex. SKILL.md is an open format, so most agents that read a skills directory can load it too.
Yes. Installing skills from SkillMD is free, and the skill stays under its author's original license.
brathod1432 (@brathod1432) published this skill. Their other Agent Skills are listed on their SkillMD profile.