how

Explains codebase architecture and subsystem flows using parallel explorer and critic agents.

3|2|Updated Aug 28, 2026
One-click install
npx skills add https://github.com/adjohn/pstack --skill how-adjohn
Or copy as Structured Prompt for Agent▼
Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: how
Source: https://github.com/adjohn/pstack/tree/main/skills/how
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/adjohn/pstack --skill how-adjohn

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

💡 This Skill includes references (resource) components.

What problem does it solve? Engineers joining a new codebase or touching an unfamiliar subsystem waste hours tracing code paths by hand. This Skill answers "how does X work" questions by exploring the codebase with parallel read-only agents and producing a senior-engineer-level architectural explanation, with an optional multi-model critique of the architecture. ## Core Features & Use Cases - Explain Mode: Decomposes complex questions into 2-4 parallel explorer agents, then synthesizes findings into a structured explanation covering overview, key concepts, flow, file map, and gotchas. - Simple Fast Path: Answers narrow questions (single module or function) with one agent that explores and explains in a single pass. - Critique Mode: After explaining, spawns one architectural critic per configured model tier to independently identify structural problems, then applies lead judgment to categorize findings as act, consider, noted, or dismissed. - Use Case: Before modifying the billing flow, ask how on-demand usage billing works and receive a walkthrough of the trigger, data flow, decision points, relevant files, and non-obvious sharp edges. ## Quick Start Ask how the rate limiter subsystem works in this repository and request an architectural explanation.

Frequently Asked Questions about how

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

FAQPage Schema
How do I understand how an unfamiliar codebase subsystem works?▼

Ask a "how does X work" question and the skill spawns parallel read-only explorer agents that trace entry points, call chains, and data flow. A synthesizer agent then merges their findings into a structured explanation with overview, key concepts, flow, file map, and gotchas.

How do I get an architectural critique of a subsystem?▼

Ask for architectural issues or improvements rather than just understanding. The skill first produces a full explanation, then spawns one critic per configured model tier that reads the actual code and reports findings with severity, evidence, and impact.

Can it answer simple questions about a single function or module?▼

Yes. Narrow questions skip the multi-explorer fan-out entirely. A single agent explores and explains in one pass, which keeps simple questions fast while complex subsystems still get the full parallel exploration treatment.

Does the exploration modify any files in the repository?▼

No. Every explorer, explainer, and critic agent is explicitly instructed to be read-only, forbidding file writes and mutating commands. The agents only use Glob, Grep, and Read to inspect the codebase.

When should I use this instead of reading the code myself?▼

Use it for cross-cutting subsystems spanning multiple files or services where manual tracing is slow. For a single small function you already have open, reading directly is faster; the skill itself leans toward the simple path when in doubt.