codebase-explorer

Perform semantic search and relationship mapping across codebases.

1|1|Updated Nov 16, 2025
One-click install
npx skills add https://github.com/chriskrycho/nova-rust-2 --skill codebase-explorer-chriskrycho
Or copy as Structured Prompt for Agent▼
Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: codebase-explorer
Source: https://github.com/chriskrycho/nova-rust-2/tree/main/.claude/skills/codebase-explorer
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/chriskrycho/nova-rust-2 --skill codebase-explorer-chriskrycho

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

What problem does it solves? This Skill empowers you to quickly understand unfamiliar codebases, identify key patterns, and map relationships between different code components. It eliminates the time-consuming manual effort of navigating large projects, allowing you to grasp complex systems efficiently.

Core Features & Use Cases:

  • Semantic Search: Find relevant code using natural language queries, beyond simple keyword matching.
  • Relationship Mapping: Discover how code components interact (calls, called by, implements, defines) to build a holistic understanding.
  • Contextual Code Reading: Precisely read relevant code snippets using line ranges, avoiding information overload.
  • Use Case: You've joined a new project and need to understand how the user authentication flow works. Use this skill to semantically search for "user authentication process," then follow the calls and called_by relationships to map out the entire system, reading only the critical code sections.

Quick Start: To start exploring the codebase, ask: "Explore the codebase to understand how the 'layout system' works." Or, to find specific code: "Find implementations related to 'error handling exception management'."

Frequently Asked Questions about codebase-explorer

High-intent search queries and answers about installing and using this skill.

FAQPage Schema
How do I understand a large codebase I'm unfamiliar with?▼

Semantic search lets you query codebases using natural language to find relevant code beyond keyword matching. You can then follow relationship maps—calls, called_by, implements, defines—to understand how components interact and build a complete picture of the system without manual navigation.

Can I search code across multiple programming languages in one project?▼

Yes. This Skill performs semantic search and relationship mapping across diverse languages and project structures, enabling targeted queries that work regardless of whether your codebase is Python, JavaScript, Java, or mixed-language.

How do I trace how a specific function or component is used throughout a codebase?▼

Use relationship mapping to discover calls, implementations, and definitions. The Skill returns structured results showing which functions call a target, which it calls, and related symbols, letting you map dependencies without reading every file.

Can I read only the relevant code sections instead of entire files?▼

Yes. Contextual code reading with line-range precision lets you fetch only critical snippets after search and relationship queries, avoiding information overload from large files.

Does this work with command-line workflows and Bash-based tools?▼

Yes. The Skill supports command-based workflows and integrates with Bash-based tools like codanna and sed for in-place code access, returning structured results with relevance scores and documentation.