dld-retrofit

Analyze existing codebases to generate DLD decision records and annotations.

4|Updated Mar 7, 2026
One-click install
npx skills add https://github.com/jimutt/dld-kit --skill dld-retrofit
Or copy as Structured Prompt for Agent▼
Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: dld-retrofit
Source: https://github.com/jimutt/dld-kit/tree/main/.claude/skills/dld-retrofit
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/jimutt/dld-kit --skill dld-retrofit

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

💡 This Skill includes scripts (resource) and references (resource) components.

What problem does it solve?

This Skill helps you integrate Decision-Linked Development (DLD) into an existing codebase by automatically inferring and documenting the rationale behind the code's current structure and behavior.

Core Features & Use Cases

  • Codebase Analysis: Identifies key components, tech stack, and architectural patterns.
  • Decision Generation: Creates structured decision records (Markdown files with YAML frontmatter) for foundational system aspects and implementation details.
  • Annotation: Adds @decision annotations to relevant code sections for traceability.
  • Use Case: You have a legacy system with no documentation. Running /dld-retrofit will analyze the code, generate initial decision records explaining why certain architectural choices were made, and add annotations, providing a starting point for understanding and maintaining the system.

Quick Start

Use the dld-retrofit skill to analyze the current codebase and generate initial decision records.

Frequently Asked Questions about dld-retrofit

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

FAQPage Schema
How do I document design decisions in a legacy codebase with no existing documentation?▼

To document design decisions in a legacy codebase, you can automatically infer architectural rationale by analyzing existing code structure and generating decision records with traceable code annotations.

What is Decision-Linked Development and how does it apply to existing code?▼

Decision-Linked Development for existing code involves analyzing project structure to identify core domain models and implementation choices, then generating structured decision records and code annotations for traceability.

How do I generate decision records from existing source code automatically?▼

You can generate decision records automatically by analyzing project files via a configuration file, which infers foundational system aspects and implementation details to create structured Markdown files with YAML frontmatter.

Can I add traceability annotations to code to explain architectural choices?▼

Yes, you can add traceability annotations to code by analyzing the codebase to infer architectural rationale and automatically inserting decision annotations into relevant code sections.

Do I need a specific configuration file to analyze project structure for refactoring?▼

Yes, analyzing project structure for refactoring requires a configuration file to define the scope, allowing the tool to parse existing code files and infer the rationale behind implementation-level choices.

What are the limitations of automatically inferring rationale from legacy code?▼

Inferring rationale from legacy code relies on analyzing existing structural patterns and implementation choices, meaning the generated decision records serve as a starting point rather than a definitive historical account of architectural decisions.