how

Explains codebase architecture and subsystem flows through parallel explorer agents and optional multi-model critique.

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

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

💡 This Skill includes references (resource) components.

What problem does it solve? Answering "how does X work" in an unfamiliar codebase requires hours of manual code reading, and architectural questions like "where should this live" or "is this the right layer" demand a synthesized mental model that is hard to build alone. ## Core Features & Use Cases - Explain Mode: Decomposes complex subsystem questions into parallel explorer agents that trace code paths, then synthesizes findings into a structured architectural explanation with overview, key concepts, flow, file map, and gotchas. - Critique Mode: After explaining, spawns multiple independent model critics that evaluate the architecture against a rubric covering abstraction fit, data model, boundary discipline, and evolution readiness, with findings triaged by a lead judgment pass. - Use Case: Before modifying a billing flow, ask how on-demand usage billing works and receive a senior-engineer-level walkthrough of the trigger, data flow, decision points, and the files you need to touch, plus an optional architectural critique. ## Quick Start Ask how the rate limiter subsystem works and request an architectural explanation before making changes.

Frequently Asked Questions about how

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

FAQPage Schema
How do I understand how a subsystem works before changing it?▼

Ask a "how does X work" question and the skill explores the codebase, traces the flow from entry point to output, and returns a structured explanation covering key concepts, step-by-step flow, file locations, and gotchas.

How does the skill handle simple versus complex architecture questions?▼

Simple questions about a single module are answered by one agent that explores and explains in a single pass. Complex subsystem questions are split into 2-4 parallel explorer agents whose findings a separate explainer synthesizes.

Can it critique architecture instead of just explaining it?▼

Yes. Critique mode first produces the full explanation, then spawns one critic per configured model that reviews the actual code against a rubric covering abstraction fit, data model, boundaries, and evolution readiness.

What kinds of questions is this skill not meant for?▼

It targets how and where questions about architecture and runtime flow, not motivation. For why a decision was made, the documentation directs you to the separate why skill instead.

Do the explorer agents modify my code?▼

No. All explorer, explainer, and critic subagents run in read-only mode. They use Glob, Grep, and Read to inspect the code and return findings without making any changes.