Share compact hierarchy snapshots in terminal workflows.
Verify output locations for generated files and folders.
Trusted Commands
tree
tree -L 2
tree -d
tree -I 'node_modules|dist|__pycache__'
tree -sh
tree -J .
Safe Defaults
Limit depth (-L) to keep output concise.
Exclude heavy or generated directories with -I.
Use --charset ascii for plain-text CI logs.
Common Pitfalls
Large trees can flood context and hide important paths.
Hidden files may be missed without explicit options.
Tree output does not represent git status semantics.
Output Interpretation
Text output shows parent-child structure and totals.
-J outputs structured JSON with type/name/children fields.
Why It Matters For Agents
tree -J provides a one-call structural map for programmatic workflows.
It is often the most token-efficient way to understand project shape.
Repo Conventions
Prefer concise tree snapshots for architecture and layout discussions.
Filter caches and generated directories unless task scope needs them.
Trigger Examples
Should trigger: "Show me the top-level shape of this workspace."
Should trigger: "Verify where generated skill files landed."
Should not trigger: "Find every regex match inside Python files."
1---2name: tool-tree-23description: tool-tree4---5# tool-tree67## When To Use89- Understand repository structure at a glance.10- Share compact hierarchy snapshots in terminal workflows.11- Verify output locations for generated files and folders.1213## Trusted Commands1415```bash16tree17tree -L 218tree -d19tree -I 'node_modules|dist|__pycache__'20tree -sh21tree -J .22```2324## Safe Defaults2526- Limit depth (`-L`) to keep output concise.27- Exclude heavy or generated directories with `-I`.28- Use `--charset ascii` for plain-text CI logs.2930## Common Pitfalls3132- Large trees can flood context and hide important paths.33- Hidden files may be missed without explicit options.34- Tree output does not represent git status semantics.3536## Output Interpretation3738- Text output shows parent-child structure and totals.39- `-J` outputs structured JSON with type/name/children fields.4041## Why It Matters For Agents4243- `tree -J` provides a one-call structural map for programmatic workflows.44- It is often the most token-efficient way to understand project shape.4546## Repo Conventions4748- Prefer concise tree snapshots for architecture and layout discussions.49- Filter caches and generated directories unless task scope needs them.5051## Trigger Examples5253- Should trigger: "Show me the top-level shape of this workspace."54- Should trigger: "Verify where generated skill files landed."55- Should not trigger: "Find every regex match inside Python files."
Run npx skillmds@latest add niksavis/tool-tree-2 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.
tool-tree It is listed under Coding & Dev Tools on SkillMD.
This skill has not completed SkillMD's automated safety review yet. SkillMD never runs a skill's scripts for you; review the SKILL.md before installing.
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.
Yes. Installing skills from SkillMD is free, and the skill stays under its author's original license.
niksavis (@niksavis) published this skill. Their other Agent Skills are listed on their SkillMD profile.
niksavis