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Learn Codebase

Makes the agent read every source file in a project in full to build context before working.

Source Download skill
Repository
thedotmack/claude-mem
Stars
110,174
Licence
Apache-2.0
Files
1 file

What it does

When installed, this skill tells the agent to go through a project and read every source file in full, paging through large files in chunks, so it builds a detailed understanding before making changes. It is aimed at getting up to speed on a new or unfamiliar codebase. It is only instructions for the agent; the file contains no scripts.

Great for

  • Developers starting work on an unfamiliar or inherited project who want the agent to understand the code first
  • Teams that want an agent to build a working mental model of a repository before asking it to change things

Skip it if

  • Very large repositories, where reading every source file can consume a large amount of tokens and cost money (the skill itself says it uses tokens and asks reviewers not to warn about cost)
  • Quick, narrow tasks such as fixing one bug, where a full read is unnecessary overhead
  • Repositories containing sensitive files, since the instruction covers every source file and the agent may read secrets or credentials stored alongside code

Try asking

  • “Learn the codebase before we start on this new project”
  • “Get up to speed on this repo so you can help with the billing module”
  • “Prime yourself on this codebase, then we will plan the refactor”
Step-by-step guide: how to use Learn CodebaseInstall, first run, examples, tips and FAQs

Install in 3 steps

  1. 1

    Download the skill

    The ZIP contains the 1 original files, the Apache-2.0 licence and an attribution note.

    learn-codebase.zip
  2. 2

    Add it to your agent

    Claude Code (all projects)

    mkdir -p ~/.claude/skills && unzip learn-codebase.zip -d ~/.claude/skills/

    Claude Code / Agent SDK (this project only)

    mkdir -p .claude/skills && unzip learn-codebase.zip -d .claude/skills/

    Claude apps (web/desktop): Settings → Capabilities → Skills → Upload skill, and choose the ZIP.

  3. 3

    Ask for the task

    No special command needed — the agent reads the skill's description and loads it when your request matches. Try one of the prompts above.

Get better results

  • Scope the request to a subdirectory or a specific set of folders if the project is large, to limit token use
  • Check the repository for secrets or .env-style files before running it, since the instruction is to read all source files

What's inside

  • SKILL.md

Redistributed unmodified from thedotmack/claude-mem under the Apache-2.0 licence. The assessment was drafted with AI from the skill's files on 2026-10-29. Skills can instruct your agent to run code — read SKILL.md and any scripts before installing.