How do I install the Makefile Review skill?

Run npx skillmds@latest add micsapp/makefile-review 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.

Is Makefile Review safe to use?

This skill has not completed SkillMD's automated safety review yet. Capability flags: docs only. SkillMD never runs a skill's scripts for you; review the SKILL.md before installing.

Which AI agents work with Makefile Review?

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.

Is Makefile Review free to use?

Yes. Installing skills from SkillMD is free, and the skill stays under its author's original license.

Who published Makefile Review?

micsapp (@micsapp) published this skill. Their other Agent Skills are listed on their SkillMD profile.

Makefile Review by micsapp — Agent Skill

Name: Makefile Review
Rating: 4.5 (4 reviews)
Author: micsapp

Makefile Review

Use this skill for Makefile audit and optimization. Use when auditing Makefiles, reviewing build system, checking portability, eliminating recipe duplication. Do not use when creating new Makefiles - use abstract:make-dogfood. DO NOT use when: architecture review - use architecture-review.

micsapp Updated Sep 8, 2026 3 repo stars

File contents

Quick Start
When to Use
Required TodoWrite Items
Workflow
Step 1: Map Context (makefile-review:context-mapped)
Step 2: Dependency Graph (makefile-review:dependency-graph)
Step 3: Deduplication Audit (makefile-review:dedup-candidates)
Step 4: Portability Check (makefile-review:tooling-alignment)
Step 5: Evidence Log (makefile-review:evidence-logged)
Progressive Loading
Output Format
Summary
Testing

Testing

Run pytest plugins/pensive/tests/skills/test_makefile_review.py to verify review logic.

Makefile Review Workflow

Audit Makefiles for best practices, deduplication, and portability.

Quick Start

/makefile-review

When To Use

Makefile changes or additions
Build system optimization
Portability improvements
CI/CD pipeline updates
Developer experience improvements

When NOT To Use

Creating new Makefiles - use abstract:make-dogfood
Architecture review - use architecture-review

Required TodoWrite Items

makefile-review:context-mapped
makefile-review:dependency-graph
makefile-review:dedup-candidates
makefile-review:tooling-alignment
makefile-review:evidence-logged

Workflow

Step 1: Map Context (`makefile-review:context-mapped`)

Confirm baseline:

pwd && git status -sb && git diff --stat

Verification: Run git status to confirm working tree state.

Find Make-related files:

rg -n "^include" -g'Makefile*'
rg --files -g '*.mk'

Document changed targets, project goals, and tooling requirements.

Step 2: Dependency Graph (`makefile-review:dependency-graph`)

@include modules/dependency-graph.md

Step 3: Deduplication Audit (`makefile-review:dedup-candidates`)

@include modules/deduplication-patterns.md

Step 4: Portability Check (`makefile-review:tooling-alignment`)

@include modules/portability-checks.md

Step 5: Evidence Log (`makefile-review:evidence-logged`)

Use imbue:proof-of-work to record command outputs with file:line references.

Summarize findings:

Severity (critical, major, minor)
Expected impact
Suggested refactors
Owners and dates for follow-ups

Progressive Loading

Load additional context as needed:

Best Practices & Examples: @include modules/best-practices.md

Plugin Dogfood Checks: @include modules/plugin-dogfood-checks.md - Makefile completeness analysis, target generation, and dogfooding validation.

Output Format

## Summary
Makefile review findings

## Context
- Files reviewed: [list]
- Targets changed: [list]

## Dependency Analysis
[graph and issues]

## Duplication Candidates
### [D1] Repeated command
- Locations: [list]
- Recommendation: [pattern rule]

## Portability Issues
[cross-platform concerns]

## Missing Targets
- [ ] help
- [ ] format
- [ ] lint

## Recommendation
Approve / Approve with actions / Block

Exit Criteria

Context mapped
Dependencies analyzed
Deduplication reviewed
Portability checked
Evidence logged

Troubleshooting

Common Issues

No Makefile found Ensure Makefile or *.mk files exist in the project root or specify paths explicitly.

Include directives not resolved Run rg -n "^include" -g'Makefile*' to trace include chains manually.

---name: makefile-reviewdescription: Use this skill for Makefile audit and optimization. Use when auditing Makefiles, reviewing build system, checking portability, eliminating recipe duplication. Do not use when creating new Makefiles - use abstract:make-dogfood. DO NOT use when: architecture review - use architecture-review.---## Table of Contents- [Quick Start](#quick-start)- [When to Use](#when-to-use)- [Required TodoWrite Items](#required-todowrite-items)- [Workflow](#workflow)- [Step 1: Map Context (`makefile-review:context-mapped`)](#step-1:-map-context-(makefile-review:context-mapped))- [Step 2: Dependency Graph (`makefile-review:dependency-graph`)](#step-2:-dependency-graph-(makefile-review:dependency-graph))- [Step 3: Deduplication Audit (`makefile-review:dedup-candidates`)](#step-3:-deduplication-audit-(makefile-review:dedup-candidates))- [Step 4: Portability Check (`makefile-review:tooling-alignment`)](#step-4:-portability-check-(makefile-review:tooling-alignment))- [Step 5: Evidence Log (`makefile-review:evidence-logged`)](#step-5:-evidence-log-(makefile-review:evidence-logged))- [Progressive Loading](#progressive-loading)- [Output Format](#output-format)- [Summary](#summary)- [Testing](#testing)## TestingRun `pytest plugins/pensive/tests/skills/test_makefile_review.py` to verify review logic.# Makefile Review WorkflowAudit Makefiles for best practices, deduplication, and portability.## Quick Start```bash/makefile-review```## When To Use- Makefile changes or additions- Build system optimization- Portability improvements- CI/CD pipeline updates- Developer experience improvements## When NOT To Use- Creating new Makefiles - use abstract:make-dogfood- Architecture review - use architecture-review## Required TodoWrite Items1. `makefile-review:context-mapped`2. `makefile-review:dependency-graph`3. `makefile-review:dedup-candidates`4. `makefile-review:tooling-alignment`5. `makefile-review:evidence-logged`## Workflow### Step 1: Map Context (`makefile-review:context-mapped`)Confirm baseline:```bashpwd && git status -sb && git diff --stat```**Verification:** Run `git status` to confirm working tree state.Find Make-related files:```bashrg -n "^include" -g'Makefile*'rg --files -g '*.mk'```Document changed targets, project goals, and tooling requirements.### Step 2: Dependency Graph (`makefile-review:dependency-graph`)@include modules/dependency-graph.md### Step 3: Deduplication Audit (`makefile-review:dedup-candidates`)@include modules/deduplication-patterns.md### Step 4: Portability Check (`makefile-review:tooling-alignment`)@include modules/portability-checks.md### Step 5: Evidence Log (`makefile-review:evidence-logged`)Use `imbue:proof-of-work` to record command outputs with file:line references.Summarize findings:- Severity (critical, major, minor)- Expected impact- Suggested refactors- Owners and dates for follow-ups## Progressive LoadingLoad additional context as needed:**Best Practices & Examples**: `@include modules/best-practices.md`**Plugin Dogfood Checks**: `@include modules/plugin-dogfood-checks.md` - Makefile completeness analysis, target generation, and dogfooding validation.## Output Format```markdown## SummaryMakefile review findings## Context- Files reviewed: [list]- Targets changed: [list]## Dependency Analysis[graph and issues]## Duplication Candidates### [D1] Repeated command- Locations: [list]- Recommendation: [pattern rule]## Portability Issues[cross-platform concerns]## Missing Targets- [ ] help- [ ] format- [ ] lint## RecommendationApprove / Approve with actions / Block```## Exit Criteria- Context mapped- Dependencies analyzed- Deduplication reviewed- Portability checked- Evidence logged## Troubleshooting### Common Issues**No Makefile found**Ensure `Makefile` or `*.mk` files exist in the project root or specify paths explicitly.**Include directives not resolved**Run `rg -n "^include" -g'Makefile*'` to trace include chains manually.

Frequently asked questions