# Before Code Analysis

> Use BEFORE reading multiple files to understand code. Reminds you to use codebase-analyzer agent instead of manual file reading. Use when this capability is needed.

- Skill: `tomevault-io/before-code-analysis` (Agent Skill, multi-file: 2 files)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add tomevault-io/before-code-analysis`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/tomevault-io/before-code-analysis/raw
- Safety review: pending (external: skill-scanner PASS, skillspector PASS)
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: AI & ML
- Author: tomevault-io (https://skillmd.com/u/tomevault-io)
- Updated: 2026-09-17
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/tomevault-io/before-code-analysis

---


# Before Code Analysis

**STOP**: You're about to read multiple files to understand how something works.

## Use codebase-analyzer Instead

The `codebase-analyzer` agent is specifically designed for understanding code implementation. It will read files in context and explain how systems work.

### Instead of:
```
Read(file_path="src/auth/handler.js")
Read(file_path="src/auth/service.js")
Read(file_path="src/auth/middleware.js")
[manually piecing together how auth works]
```

### Do this:
```
Task(
  subagent_type="codebase-analyzer",
  prompt="Analyze how the authentication system works, including handlers, services, and middleware",
  description="Analyze auth system"
)
```

## When Manual Reading Is OK

Only read files manually when:
- You need to see exact implementation of a single function
- You're making specific edits to known files
- You're verifying a specific detail

For understanding systems or flows, use `codebase-analyzer`.

---
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<!-- tomevault:4.0:skill_md:2026-04-11 -->