# Repo Explorer

> Clone and inspect external repositories in a reusable local exploration cache. Use this skill when the user asks to explore, inspect, investigate, compare, or answer questions about a repository that may not already be in the current workspace.

- Skill: `kenryu42/repo-explorer` (Agent Skill)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add kenryu42/repo-explorer`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/kenryu42/repo-explorer/raw
- Safety review: pending
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Coding & Dev Tools
- Author: kenryu42 (https://skillmd.com/u/kenryu42)
- Updated: 2026-09-17
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/kenryu42/repo-explorer

---


Use this skill to explore repositories without cluttering the active workspace.

## Repository Cache

Use `~/.explore/repos` as the local cache directory for repositories being explored.

## Current Cache Contents

```!
mkdir -p ~/.explore/repos
ls -la ~/.explore/repos
```

## Flow

1. List the current repository cache contents before deciding what to use.
   ✨ - In hosts that support skill shell injection, use the rendered `Current Cache Contents`
     section above.
   - Otherwise, run `ls -la ~/.explore/repos` before deciding what to use.

2. Check whether the target repository is already present in `~/.explore/repos`.
   - Prefer a stable directory name based on the repository owner and name, such as
     `owner__repo`.
   - If the repository is already present, use that local checkout for exploration.

3. If the repository is not present, clone it into `~/.explore/repos`, then explore it there.
   - Create `~/.explore/repos` first if it does not exist.
   - Clone with a clear destination path, for example:

```bash
mkdir -p ~/.explore/repos
git clone <repo-url> ~/.explore/repos/<owner>__<repo>
```

After opening the repository, inspect its local instructions and project metadata before
making assumptions. Prefer `rg`, `rg --files`, and targeted file reads for exploration.