C++ Codebase Analysis
Target: $ARGUMENTS
Analyzes C++ desktop project structure, dependencies, and architecture. Delivers actionable findings, not exhaustive documentation.
Workflow
- Detect project layout — scan for CMakeLists.txt, .pro files, src/, include/
- Identify framework — determine wxWidgets, GTK3, Qt, or mixed
- Map dependencies — CMake targets, find_package calls, include graph
- Assess architecture — module boundaries, coupling, layering
- Report findings — structured summary with actionable items
Framework Detection
Check these indicators in order:
| Framework | CMake Signal | Include Signal | Other |
|---|---|---|---|
| Qt | find_package(Qt6) / Qt5 |
#include <QWidget> |
.pro, .qrc files |
| wxWidgets | find_package(wxWidgets) |
#include <wx/wx.h> |
— |
| GTK3 | pkg_check_modules(GTK3) |
#include <gtk/gtk.h> |
.ui (GtkBuilder) |
Dependency Mapping
# List all CMake targets
grep -rn "add_library\|add_executable" CMakeLists.txt */CMakeLists.txt 2>/dev/null
# List external dependencies
grep -rn "find_package\|pkg_check_modules" CMakeLists.txt */CMakeLists.txt 2>/dev/null
# Include graph (most-included headers)
grep -rh '#include "' src/ include/ 2>/dev/null | sort | uniq -c | sort -rn | head -20
Architecture Assessment
Evaluate these dimensions:
Module Boundaries:
- Are source files organized by feature or by layer?
- Is there a clear
src/vsinclude/separation? - Are GUI components isolated from business logic?
Coupling:
- How many cross-module includes exist?
- Are there circular dependencies?
- Is dependency injection or interface abstraction used?
Build Structure:
- Single CMakeLists.txt or hierarchical?
- Are libraries split into reusable targets?
- Are tests in a separate target?
Migration Assessment
When evaluating framework upgrades (e.g., wxWidgets 3.0 to 3.2, Qt5 to Qt6):
- Identify version — check CMake version constraints, include paths
- List deprecated APIs — grep for known deprecated symbols
- Assess scope — count affected files and call sites
- Estimate effort — categorize changes as mechanical vs architectural
- Flag blockers — identify removed APIs requiring redesign
Output Format
## Project Summary
- Framework: [detected]
- C++ standard: [detected from CMake or compiler flags]
- Build system: [CMake version / qmake]
- Modules: [count and names]
## Dependency Graph
[CMake target relationships]
## Architecture Notes
[Key observations about structure and coupling]
## Recommendations
[Prioritized, actionable items]
Rules
- Report facts, not opinions — cite file paths and line numbers
- Flag risks but do not refactor without explicit request
- Keep output structured and scannable