# Librarian

> Cache and refresh remote git repositories under ~/.librarian, grouped by host/org/repo, so future references can reuse a local copy. Use this skill when the user points you to a remote git repository as reference or you encountered a remote git repo through other means.

- Skill: `davesnx/librarian` (Agent Skill, multi-file: 5 files)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add davesnx/librarian`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/davesnx/librarian/raw
- Safety review: pending
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Coding & Dev Tools
- Author: davesnx (https://skillmd.com/u/davesnx)
- Updated: 2026-09-17
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/davesnx/librarian

---


<!-- Local changes: use ~/.librarian and clarify the script location. See UPSTREAM.md. -->

Use this skill when the user points you to a remote git repository (GitHub/GitLab/Bitbucket URLs, `git@...`, or `owner/repo` shorthand).

The goal is to keep a reusable local checkout that is:
- **stable** (predictable path)
- **up to date** (periodic fetch + fast-forward when safe)
- **efficient** (partial clone with `--filter=blob:none`, no repeated full clones)

## Cache location

Repositories are stored at:

`~/.librarian/<host>/<org>/<repo>`

Example:

`github.com/mitsuhiko/minijinja` -> `~/.librarian/github.com/mitsuhiko/minijinja`

## Command

`checkout.sh` is in this skill's directory. Resolve it from the skill's base directory, not the current project directory.

```bash
bash checkout.sh <repo> --path-only
```

Examples:

```bash
bash checkout.sh mitsuhiko/minijinja --path-only
bash checkout.sh github.com/mitsuhiko/minijinja --path-only
bash checkout.sh https://github.com/mitsuhiko/minijinja --path-only
```

The script will:
1. Parse the repo reference into host/org/repo.
2. Clone if missing.
3. Reuse existing checkout if present.
4. Fetch from `origin` when stale (default interval: 300s).
5. Attempt a fast-forward merge if the checkout is clean and has an upstream.

## Update strategy

- Default behavior is **throttled refresh** (every 5 minutes) to avoid unnecessary network calls.
- Force immediate refresh with:

```bash
bash checkout.sh <repo> --force-update --path-only
```

## Recommended workflow

1. Resolve repository path via `checkout.sh --path-only`.
2. Use that path for searching, reading, and analysis.
3. On later references to the same repo, call `checkout.sh` again; it will find and update the cached checkout.

## If edits are needed

Prefer not to edit directly in the shared cache. Create a separate worktree or copy from the cached checkout for task-specific modifications.

## Notes

- `owner/repo` defaults to `github.com`.