# Collaboration > Collaboration workflow for planning, onboarding, and understanding a codebase. Use when starting a new task, exploring an unfamiliar project, creating a plan or todo list, discussing requirements, or when the user asks to understand the architecture or get started on a feature. Use when this capability is needed. - Skill: `tomevault-io/collaboration-2` (Agent Skill, multi-file: 2 files) - Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add tomevault-io/collaboration-2` - Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/tomevault-io/collaboration-2/raw - Safety review: pending (external: skill-scanner PASS, skillspector PASS) - Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex - Category: Productivity - Author: tomevault-io (https://skillmd.com/u/tomevault-io) - Updated: 2026-09-17 - Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/tomevault-io/collaboration-2 --- # Collaboration ## When to use - User starts a new task or feature and needs to plan before implementing - User asks to explore, understand, or onboard onto an unfamiliar codebase - User asks to create a plan, todo list, or discuss requirements - User asks about the project architecture or how to get started - User opens a new session on a project for the first time ## Overview Software engineering is collaborative. These rules ensure alignment before implementation. ## Learning a new codebase First time reading a codebase / starting a new session, it is important to understand the project and the architecture to start contributing efficiently: 1. Read the project README.md file 2. Read the project CONTRIBUTING.md file ## Planning Collaboration is essential as a software engineer. The planning phase / todo-list must be discussed before starting development. Agent must plan first before implementing by using ubiquitous language. --- > Converted and distributed by [TomeVault](https://tomevault.io/claim/cboudereau) — claim your Tome and manage your conversions.