# Working With Context

> Use when analyzing existing projects or codebases - onboard project to store context in Serena MCP, then use context-aware analysis that mentions existing code, modules, and patterns for better recommendations

- Skill: `majiayu000/working-with-context` (Agent Skill, multi-file: 2 files)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add majiayu000/working-with-context`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/majiayu000/working-with-context/raw
- Safety review: pending (external: skill-scanner PASS, skillspector PASS)
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: AI & ML
- Author: majiayu000 (https://skillmd.com/u/majiayu000)
- Updated: 2026-09-09
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/majiayu000/working-with-context

---


# Working with Context

## Overview

Context management enables project-aware analysis that references existing code structure, tech stack, and patterns.

## Workflow

**1. Onboard project** (one-time):
```bash
shannon onboard /path/to/project --project-id myapp
```

Scans and stores:
- File inventory and structure
- Tech stack detection
- Module identification
- Pattern recognition

**2. Use context in analysis**:
```bash
shannon analyze new_feature.md --project myapp
```

**Difference**:
- Without context: Generic "add authentication" advice
- With context: "Integrate with existing UserModel in models/user.py, use JWT pattern from auth.py"

## Commands

**shannon onboard PATH**:
- Scans codebase
- Stores in ~/.shannon/projects/
- Saves to Serena MCP

**shannon context status**:
- Shows onboarded projects
- Last update time

**shannon context update**:
- Incremental update after code changes
- Faster than full re-onboarding

**shannon context clean**:
- Remove stale entries
- Use --all for all projects

## Storage

Context stored in:
- Local: ~/.shannon/projects/<project-id>/
- Serena MCP: Entities and relations
- Persistent across sessions

## When to Update

Update context after:
- Major code changes (new modules)
- Architecture changes
- Dependency updates
- Tech stack changes

## Performance

- Onboarding: <30s for most projects
- Context loading: <1s (automatic in analyze)
- Update: <10s (incremental)