Learn Codebase
Front-load full-repo reading so your agent has a reliable mental map before planning features, fixes, or refactors.
Install
npx skills add https://github.com/thedotmack/claude-mem --skill learn-codebaseWhat is this skill?
- Mandates reading every source file in full—described as critical and non-negotiable for depth
- Large-file paging via Read tool offset/limit (e.g. 500-line chunks) to complete coverage without skipping tails
- Explicit triggers: learn/read/prime codebase and get up to speed on new or unfamiliar projects
- Frames token cost as upfront cognitive cache that reduces expensive mistakes later in the project
Adoption & trust: 1.3k installs on skills.sh; 81.2k GitHub stars; 2/3 security scanners passed (skills.sh audits).
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Journey fit
Primary fit
Canonical shelf is Build PM because onboarding happens right before implementation commitments on an unfamiliar repo. Systematic full-file reading is project orientation and context priming—not a single integration or test task.
Common Questions / FAQ
Is Learn Codebase safe to install?
skills.sh reports 2 of 3 security scanners passed. Review the Security Audits panel on this page before installing in production.
SKILL.md
READMESKILL.md - Learn Codebase
# 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.