Explain Code
Explains code using semantic search and project knowledge for comprehensive context.
Inputs
| Input | Type | Default | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
file |
string | required | File path (relative to project root) |
lines |
string | - | Line range (e.g., "10-50") |
project |
string | auto | Project from config |
depth |
string | "normal" | "brief", "normal", or "detailed" |
Workflow
1. Check Known Issues
check_known_issues(tool_name="code_search", error_text="")
2. Detect Project
- Infer from cwd if not provided; default
automation-analytics-backend
3. Read File Content
- Read file from project path
- If
linesprovided: parse range (e.g., "10-50") and extract those lines - Build file_content: path, content, start_line, end_line, exists
4. Search Related Code
code_search(query=file_content.content[:200], project=project, limit=5)- Parse results, exclude the file itself
5. Get Architecture Context
knowledge_query(project=project, section="architecture.key_modules")- Match file path to module purpose
6. Get Gotchas & Patterns
knowledge_query(project=project, section="gotchas")— filter by file path keywordsknowledge_query(project=project, section="patterns.coding")
7. Build Explanation
Output markdown with:
- Architecture Context: module and purpose
- Code: selected lines (with line numbers)
- Related Code: similar implementations
- Gotchas: relevant gotchas
- Coding Patterns: patterns to follow
- Next step:
find_similar_codefor more
8. Error Handling
- If "index not found":
learn_tool_fix("code_search", "index not found", "Vector index not created", "Run skill_run('bootstrap_knowledge')")
9. Log
memory_session_log("Explained code in {file}", "Project: {project}, Lines: {lines}")
Key MCP Tools
code_search— find related codeknowledge_query— architecture, gotchas, patternscheck_known_issues,learn_tool_fix— error handlingmemory_session_log— session logging