# Zoom Out

> Pulls the agent up a layer of abstraction and maps the relevant modules and callers around the code in focus, using the project's domain glossary vocabulary. Use when you're unfamiliar with a section of code or invoke "zoom out" or `/zoom-out`.

- Skill: `orakitine/zoom-out` (Agent Skill, multi-file: 3 files)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add orakitine/zoom-out`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/orakitine/zoom-out/raw
- Safety review: pending
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: AI & ML
- Author: orakitine (https://skillmd.com/u/orakitine)
- Updated: 2026-09-17
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/orakitine/zoom-out

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# Purpose

Counter tunnel-vision when working inside a single file or function. Instead of drilling deeper, go up a layer and survey the surrounding code, labeling it with the project's own domain vocabulary so the picture is anchored in real concepts rather than generic CS terms.

## Workflow

1. **Zoom Out**
   - Stop drilling into the current code and go up a layer of abstraction
   - Produce a map of the relevant modules and callers around the code in focus
   - Example: from a single function, widen to the surrounding file, its callers, and what it depends on

2. **Use the Project's Domain Glossary**
   - Label the map with the project's own vocabulary, not generic terms
   - If the project has a glossary, use the words it defines verbatim
   - Example: if the project's terms are `Tenant` and `Ledger`, the map uses those words rather than "customer" or "database"

## Works well with

Optional collaborators — `zoom-out` runs standalone and these degrade gracefully if absent.

- **`improve-codebase-architecture`** — after mapping a layer, hand off to find deepening opportunities in it.
- **`setup-toolbox-context`** — provides the domain glossary `zoom-out` labels its maps with.
- **`living-plan`** — orient with a zoom-out map before authoring a plan inside unfamiliar code.

