reverse-engineering

Reverse-engineer codebases into V-Model artifacts like ADRs and arc42 snapshots.

Updated Jun 3, 2026
One-click install
npx skills add https://github.com/askferret/automatic-waffle --skill reverse-engineering-askferret
Or copy as Structured Prompt for Agent▼
Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: reverse-engineering
Source: https://github.com/askferret/automatic-waffle/tree/main/skills/reverse-engineering
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/askferret/automatic-waffle --skill reverse-engineering-askferret

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

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

What problem does it solve?

This Skill converts existing codebases into the V-Model artifacts, providing a stable, shared project context that helps teams validate and refine their projects.

Core Features & Use Cases

  • Reverse Engineering: Analyze codebases to create V-Model artifacts like plan-context, ADRs, arc42 snapshots, FEATURE inventories, backlog seeds, and BA drafts.
  • Backward Walk: Walks the V-Model backward from Coding up to Business Analysis, ensuring every step is proven from the code or existing documentation.
  • Single Source of Truth: All artifacts land in BACKLOG.md as a single source of truth for status, phase, last-change, and claim.
  • Wayfinder Generation: Produces wayfinder layers as primary output, offering token-efficient project context for subsequent phases.

Quick Start

Run the reverse-engineering skill to analyze your codebase and generate the V-Model artifacts.

Frequently Asked Questions about reverse-engineering

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

FAQPage Schema
How do I reverse-engineer a brownfield codebase into V-Model artifacts?▼

Reverse-engineering a brownfield codebase involves walking the V-Model backward from Coding up to Business Analysis. This Skill analyzes your codebase to generate structured documentation, proving every step from existing code.

What is the V-Model backward walk for code analysis?▼

The V-Model backward walk is a code analysis technique that traces existing code back up to Business Analysis. It generates proven artifacts like plan-context, ADRs, arc42 snapshots, and BA drafts from the existing codebase.

Can I generate a project context and backlog from an existing codebase?▼

Yes, you can generate a stable project context and backlog seed from an existing codebase. The Skill creates a BACKLOG.md file serving as a single source of truth for status, phase, and claims.

Does this reverse-engineering approach work for brownfield projects?▼

Yes, this reverse-engineering approach is specifically designed for brownfield projects. It analyzes existing codebase structure and content to produce structured documentation and wayfinder layers for token-efficient context.

What documentation artifacts are generated during codebase reverse engineering?▼

Codebase reverse engineering generates V-Model artifacts including plan-context, ADRs, arc42 snapshots, FEATURE inventories, backlog seeds, and BA drafts. These provide a stable, shared project context for team validation.

How do wayfinder layers help with project context in reverse engineering?▼

Wayfinder layers are produced as the primary output of reverse engineering to offer token-efficient project context. They enable subsequent V-Model phases to navigate the codebase without consuming excessive tokens.