Analyze a codebase and generate onboarding documentation for engineers, tech leads, and contractors. This skill is optimized for fast fact-gathering and repeatable onboarding outputs.
Core Capabilities
Architecture and stack discovery from repository signals
Key file and config inventory for new contributors
Local setup and common-task guidance generation
Audience-aware documentation framing
Debugging and contribution checklist scaffolding
When to Use
Onboarding a new team member or contractor
Rebuilding stale project docs after large refactors
Preparing internal handoff documentation
Creating a standardized onboarding packet for services
Quick Start
# 1) Gather codebase facts
python3 scripts/codebase_analyzer.py /path/to/repo
# 2) Export machine-readable output
python3 scripts/codebase_analyzer.py /path/to/repo --json
# 3) Use the template to draft onboarding docs
# See references/onboarding-template.md
Recommended Workflow
Run scripts/codebase_analyzer.py against the target repository.
Note: Bundled scripts ship as Markdown reference (.md) — copy the code out of the .md file to run it.
Onboarding Document Template
Detailed template and section examples live in:
references/onboarding-template.md
references/output-format-templates.md
Common Pitfalls
Writing docs without validating setup commands on a clean environment
Mixing architecture deep-dives into contractor-oriented docs
Omitting troubleshooting and verification steps
Letting onboarding docs drift from current repo state
Best Practices
Keep setup instructions executable and time-bounded.
Document the "why" for key architectural decisions.
Update docs in the same PR as behavior changes.
Treat onboarding docs as living operational assets, not one-time deliverables.
1---2name: codebase-onboarding3description: Codebase Onboarding4---56# Codebase Onboarding78**Tier:** POWERFUL 9**Category:** Engineering 10**Domain:** Documentation / Developer Experience1112---1314## Overview1516Analyze a codebase and generate onboarding documentation for engineers, tech leads, and contractors. This skill is optimized for fast fact-gathering and repeatable onboarding outputs.1718## Core Capabilities1920- Architecture and stack discovery from repository signals21- Key file and config inventory for new contributors22- Local setup and common-task guidance generation23- Audience-aware documentation framing24- Debugging and contribution checklist scaffolding2526---2728## When to Use2930- Onboarding a new team member or contractor31- Rebuilding stale project docs after large refactors32- Preparing internal handoff documentation33- Creating a standardized onboarding packet for services3435---3637## Quick Start3839```bash40# 1) Gather codebase facts41python3 scripts/codebase_analyzer.py /path/to/repo4243# 2) Export machine-readable output44python3 scripts/codebase_analyzer.py /path/to/repo --json4546# 3) Use the template to draft onboarding docs47# See references/onboarding-template.md48```4950---5152## Recommended Workflow53541. Run `scripts/codebase_analyzer.py` against the target repository.552. Capture key signals: file counts, detected languages, config files, top-level structure.563. Fill the onboarding template in `references/onboarding-template.md`.574. Tailor output depth by audience:58 - Junior: setup + guardrails59 - Senior: architecture + operational concerns60 - Contractor: scoped ownership + integration boundaries6162> **Note:** Bundled scripts ship as Markdown reference (`.md`) — copy the code out of the `.md` file to run it.6364---6566## Onboarding Document Template6768Detailed template and section examples live in:6970- `references/onboarding-template.md`71- `references/output-format-templates.md`7273---7475## Common Pitfalls7677- Writing docs without validating setup commands on a clean environment78- Mixing architecture deep-dives into contractor-oriented docs79- Omitting troubleshooting and verification steps80- Letting onboarding docs drift from current repo state8182## Best Practices83841. Keep setup instructions executable and time-bounded.852. Document the "why" for key architectural decisions.863. Update docs in the same PR as behavior changes.874. Treat onboarding docs as living operational assets, not one-time deliverables.
Run npx skillmds@latest add neekware/codebase-onboarding 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.
Codebase Onboarding It is listed under Coding & Dev Tools on SkillMD.
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neekware (@neekware) published this skill. Their other Agent Skills are listed on their SkillMD profile.
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