Guide · Agent skill
How to use the Context Map agent skill: install and trigger it
Updated · written with AI from the project's own documentation and checked against our catalogue data
The Context Map skill tells an AI agent to survey a codebase before it changes anything. It searches for files related to your task, notes which files depend on each other, finds related tests and similar code, and writes a structured map with a short risk checklist. This guide shows you how to install it, how to trigger it with plain requests, and how to review the map before the agent starts editing.
Context Mapgithub/awesome-copilot · MIT Download the skill Quick start
- 1Download the ZIP. Get the context-map skill ZIP from the skill's page on this site.
- 2Unzip into a skills folder. Unzip it into ~/.claude/skills/ for personal use, or into a project's .claude/skills/ folder for one repository.
- 3Or upload in the Claude apps. In the Claude apps, go to Settings → Capabilities → Skills and upload the ZIP.
- 4Make a request before a change. Describe the change you want and ask the agent to map the relevant files first.
- 5Review the map. Check the Files to Modify, Dependencies, Test Files, Reference Patterns and Risk Assessment tables.
- 6Approve or refine. Ask for another search if something is missing, then tell the agent to continue with implementation.
What the context-map skill makes the agent do
An agent skill is a folder containing a SKILL.md file with instructions that an AI agent reads when a task matches the skill's description. The context-map skill's description is 'Generate a map of all files relevant to a task before making changes'.
When it applies, the skill asks the agent to follow four steps: search the codebase for files related to the task, identify direct dependencies through imports and exports, find related tests, and look for similar patterns in existing code.
- Files to Modify: each file, its purpose and the changes it needs
- Dependencies: files that may need updates because they import from a modified file
- Test Files: tests that cover the affected functionality
- Reference Patterns: similar existing code to follow
- Risk Assessment: a checklist covering breaking API changes, database migrations and configuration changes
Install the context-map skill
You can install the skill in one of three places. Download the ZIP from the skill's page on this site and unzip it into your personal skills folder, ~/.claude/skills/, so it is available across your projects. Or unzip it into a project's .claude/skills/ folder so it applies only to that repository. Alternatively, upload the ZIP in the Claude apps under Settings → Capabilities → Skills.
After unzipping, the skill folder should contain SKILL.md. That is the only file in this skill.
- Personal install: ~/.claude/skills/
- Project install: .claude/skills/ inside your repository
- Claude apps: Settings → Capabilities → Skills, then upload the ZIP
Trigger the skill with natural requests
You do not need a special command. The skill is meant to run before implementation, so describe the change you want and say you want the agent to map the affected files first. The skill's own instructions tell the agent to stop after producing the map and wait for your review.
Requests that fit the skill name a change in a real codebase and ask for planning before editing.
- Before you change the billing module, map every file that touches it and list the related tests.
- Map the files involved in adding a new field to the user profile API before making any edits.
- I want to rename the config loader. Build a context map first and wait for my review.
- Survey the codebase for everything related to moving authentication to the new session store, then stop.
Review the map before implementation starts
The skill's last line says not to proceed with implementation until the map is reviewed. Read the Files to Modify table first, then check the dependency and test tables for anything missing. Use the risk checklist to decide whether the change needs a migration, a configuration update or a public API review.
Once you are satisfied, tell the agent to continue. If the map misses a file you know is involved, say so and ask the agent to search again. The map is only as complete as the agent's search.
- Check whether every file you expect appears in the Files to Modify table
- Look for dependencies the agent did not list
- Confirm the test files cover the behaviour you are changing
- Tick or discuss each risk item before approving
What the skill needs and safety notes
The source lists no requirements for this skill. It does not run scripts and does not use the network, and its only file is SKILL.md. Its effect comes from the instructions the agent follows, which means the agent still has access to your codebase through whatever tools your agent setup provides.
The skill assumes a software codebase with imports and tests, so it is not suited to non-coding work. It also does not verify correctness. It lists files and risks, and its accuracy depends on how thoroughly the agent searches.
- Requires: nothing listed in the source
- Runs scripts: no
- Uses network: no
- Only file: SKILL.md
Tips for getting useful maps
Name the outcome, not just the files. A clear task description gives the agent a better search target. Use the skill for changes that touch several files, and skip it for a simple edit to one file, where the map adds steps without much value.
Treat the map as a draft. Compare it with your own knowledge of the code, and run your normal tests after the change, since the skill does not check correctness.
- Describe the behaviour you want to change, not only the file name
- Use it for unfamiliar code or cross-cutting changes
- Skip it for single-file edits and non-coding tasks
What people use it for
- Mapping every file a billing change touches before editing
- Finding tests and similar code to copy in an unfamiliar repository
- Producing a written impact review that a team can read before code changes
- Checking a planned change for breaking API, migration or configuration risks
Frequently asked questions
How do I install the context-map skill?
Download the ZIP from this site and unzip it into ~/.claude/skills/ for personal use or into a project's .claude/skills/ folder. In the Claude apps, you can instead upload the ZIP under Settings → Capabilities → Skills.
Does the context-map skill require anything else?
The source lists no requirements. The skill does not run scripts and does not use the network, and it consists of a single SKILL.md file.
Is the context-map skill free?
The skill is published under the MIT licence in the github/awesome-copilot repository. The source does not mention pricing, so check the licence terms for your use.
Will the context-map skill check that my code is correct?
No. The skill only lists files, dependencies, tests and risks. Its accuracy depends on how well the agent searches the codebase, so you should still run your tests.
When should I not use the context-map skill?
Skip it for simple, single-file edits where a map adds little value, and for non-coding tasks, since the instructions assume a codebase with imports and tests.
Why won't the agent start editing after it makes the map?
The skill tells the agent not to proceed with implementation until the map is reviewed. Read the map, then tell the agent to continue or ask it to search again.
New agent skills, repos and AI tools — every week
The best new skills and open-source projects, the fastest-growing repos, and one free prompt. Five minutes to read. Unsubscribe anytime.
Our verdict
Use the context-map skill if you are about to change code you do not know well, or if your team wants a written impact review before edits begin. Skip it for small single-file changes and non-coding work, and do not rely on it to confirm that changes are correct.
Download the skill