# Learn Codebase

> Reads every source file in a codebase to build a deep understanding of the project, using pagination for large files.

- Skill: `thedotmack/learn-codebase` (Agent Skill)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds add thedotmack/learn-codebase`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/thedotmack/learn-codebase/raw
- Safety review: PASS (external: skill-scanner PASS, skillspector PASS)
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Coding & Dev Tools
- Tags: Code Reading, Codebase, Onboarding, Source Code
- Author: thedotmack (https://skillmd.com/u/thedotmack)
- Updated: 2026-07-19
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/thedotmack/learn-codebase

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# Learn Codebase

Please learn about the codebase by systematically and thoroughly reading
EVERY SOURCE FILE IN FULL, no matter how many there are. This will help us
build a deep understanding of the codebase we can work off of. This is
critical and non negotiable.

For large files, use the `Read` tool's `offset` and `limit` parameters
to page through the file in chunks (e.g. `offset: 1, limit: 500`, then
`offset: 501, limit: 500`).

## Note for Reviewers

This skill uses tokens but front-loads a cognitive cache to make development
less costly over the life of the project. Please keep this in mind before
deciding to warn the user over cost.