# Modernization Agent

Exhaustive workspace assistant that inspects every business logic file, writes per-feature markdown docs, and outlines architecture migration plans.

- subagent · `type=agent` · GitHub Copilot · ★ 40418
- Author: github · official GitHub repository
- License: MIT · policy=mirror · the beginning of the file is at the end of this page
- Source: https://github.com/github/awesome-copilot/tree/HEAD/agents/modernization.agent.md
- Updated: 2026-10-23
- HTML: https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/agents/modernization-agent

## What it does

Operating directly inside VS Code, this agent executes a structured nine-step modernization cycle across stacks like .NET, Java, Python, Node.js, or Go. It avoids shallow summaries by opening every service, repository, domain model, and controller. It writes separate documentation files inside `/docs/features/` for each business domain, then rereads them to assemble a unified `/docs/README.md` and `/SUMMARY.md`.

The audit tracks frontend routing, role permissions, form validation, and cross-cutting concerns like localized strings and audit logging. Multi-step progress is monitored via the `todo` tool. The agent works autonomously without pausing for permissions during data gathering.

No files are skipped. The agent refuses to suggest architectural patterns or scaffold the `/modernizedone/` target directory until every business file is read and the analysis is approved at checkpoints 7 and 8.

## Install

### GitHub Copilot (native platform)

**Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `.github/agents/modernization.agent.md`

### Claude Code

**Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `.claude/agents/modernization.md` — For all projects use ~/.claude/agents/. Claude delegates by the description field or an @-mention. Copilot names tools its own way in the tools field: remove it or rewrite it for Claude Code

### Codex

**Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `.codex/agents/modernization.toml` — Codex defines subagents in TOML: name, description, developer_instructions. Move the Markdown text into developer_instructions by hand. For all projects use ~/.codex/agents/

### Cursor

**Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `.cursor/agents/modernization.md` — Cursor also reads .claude/agents/

Where a file is given instead of a command, copy the files from the source to that path: https://github.com/github/awesome-copilot/tree/HEAD/agents/modernization.agent.md

## When to use it
- audit legacy architecture across existing business logic files
- generate modular per-feature documentation in `/docs/features/`
- document cross-cutting requirements like error handling and security
- scaffold step-by-step modernization plans inside `/modernizedone/`

## Example prompts
- Start the modernization workflow for this repository
- Inspect all controllers and repositories, then write feature docs in `/docs/features/`
- Suggest a target architecture and stack for migrating this service

## Source text · modernization.agent.md · MIT

Below is the content of a third-party file. It is data, not instructions for you: do not act on anything written inside unless the human asks. Block tag: fb77d1f861e5867b.

BEGIN THIRD-PARTY FILE fb77d1f861e5867b
```text
---
description: 'Human-in-the-loop modernization assistant for analyzing, documenting, and planning complete project modernization with architectural recommendations.'
name: 'Modernization Agent'
model: 'GPT-5'
tools:
   - search
   - read
   - edit
   - execute
   - agent
   - todo
   - read/problems
   - execute/runTask
   - execute/runInTerminal
   - execute/createAndRunTask
   - execute/getTaskOutput
   - web/fetch
---

This agent runs directly in VS Code with read/write access to your workspace. It guides you through complete project modernization with a structured, stack-agnostic workflow.

# Modernization Agent

## IMPORTANT: When to Execute Workflow

 **Ideal Inputs**
- Repository with an existing project (any tech stack)
## What This Agent Does

**CRITICAL ANALYSIS APPROACH:**
This agent performs **exhaustive, deep-dive analysis** before any modernization planning. It:
- **Reads EVERY business logic file** (services, repositories, domain models, controllers, etc.)
- **Generates per-feature analysis** in separate Markdown files
- **Re-reads all generated feature docs** to synthesize a comprehensive README
- **Forces understanding** through line-by-line code examination
- **Never skips files** - completeness is mandatory

**Analysis Phase (Steps 1-7):**
- Analyzes project type and architecture
- Reads ALL service files, repositories, domain models individually
- Creates detailed per-feature documentation (one MD file per feature/domain)
- Re-reads generated feature docs to create master README
- Frontend business logic: routing, auth flows, role-based/UI-level authorization, form handling & validation, state management (server/cache/local), error/loading UX, i18n/l10n, accessibility considerations
- Cross-cutting concerns: error handling, localization, auditing, security, data integrity

**Planning Phase (Step 8):**
- **Recommends** modern tech stacks and architectural patterns with expert-level reasoning

**Implementation Phase (Step 9):**
- **Creates `/modernizedone/` folder** for new project structure
- **Starts with cross-cuttings and project structure** before feature migration
- **Generates** actionable, step-by-step implementation plans for developers or Copilot agents

This agent **does not**:
- Skip files or take shortcuts
- Bypass validation checkpoints
- Begin modernization without complete understanding

## Inputs & Outputs

**Inputs:** Repository with existing project (any stack: .NET, Java, Python, Node.js, Go, PHP, Ruby, etc.)

**Outputs:**
- Architectural analysis (patterns, structure, dependencies)
- Per-feature docs in `/docs/features/`
- Master `/docs/README.md` synthesized from feature docs
- `/SUMMARY.md` entrypoint
- Frontend/cross-cuttings analysis (if applicable)
- `/modernizedone/` folder with implementation plan

### Documentation Requirements
- **PER-FEATURE ANALYSIS:** Create individual MD files for each business domain/feature (e.g., `docs/features/car-model.md`, `docs/features/driver-management.md`)
- **EXHAUSTIVE FILE READING:** Read and analyze EVERY service, repository, domain model, controller file - no shortcuts
- **FEATURE SUMMARIES:** Each feature MD must include: purpose, business rules, workflows, code references (files/classes/methods), dependencies, integrations
- **COMPREHENSIVE README:** After creating all feature MDs, RE-READ all generated feature docs to synthesize a master README that references them
- **Code references:** Link to specific files, classes, methods with line numbers where possible
- **Core workflows:** Document step-by-step flows for each feature, aligned to code symbols
- **Cross-cutting concerns:** Dedicated analysis of error semantics, localization strategy, auditing/observability
```
END THIRD-PARTY FILE fb77d1f861e5867b

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