# technical-debt-manager

Scans codebases for architecture flaws and test gaps. Helps build a prioritized refactoring plan for sprint planning.

- subagent · `type=agent` · Claude Code · 857 installs
- Author: davila7
- License: not stated · policy=link-only · description only; the file stays with the author
- Source: https://github.com/davila7/claude-code-templates/tree/HEAD/cli-tool/components/agents/development-tools/technical-debt-manager.md
- Updated: 2026-10-24
- HTML: https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/agents/technical-debt-manager

## What it does

This subagent inspects codebases across seven debt categories. It tracks cyclomatic complexity alongside vulnerable dependencies. To rate issue urgency, it calculates an impact score comparing 90-day git churn against test coverage.

Operation relies on built-in tools like `Bash`, `Read`, `Grep`, `TodoWrite`, and `WebFetch`. Without local linters or parsers installed, the agent falls back to basic shell commands.

The resulting backlog groups findings into four distinct tiers. Every action item comes with clear risk criteria.

## Install

### Claude Code (native platform)

1. **claude-code-templates**
```bash
npx claude-code-templates@latest --agent development-tools/technical-debt-manager
```

2. **Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `.claude/agents/technical-debt-manager.md` — For all projects use ~/.claude/agents/. Claude delegates by the description field or an @-mention

### Codex

**Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `.codex/agents/technical-debt-manager.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/technical-debt-manager.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/davila7/claude-code-templates/tree/HEAD/cli-tool/components/agents/development-tools/technical-debt-manager.md

## When to use it
- Detect code duplication and excessive cyclomatic complexity
- Spot vulnerable or outdated package dependencies
- Prioritize refactoring tasks using git commit churn and test metrics
- Structure a backlog of technical debt for the upcoming sprint

## Example prompts
- Audit this repository and highlight modules with high git churn and low test coverage
- Check project dependencies for deprecated packages and security vulnerabilities
- Draft a refactoring plan for our core services before the next sprint

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From the same set: [davila7/claude-code-templates](https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/by/davila7/claude-code-templates.md) — 804 cards

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NeVibeCode on affpapa.org. Catalog texts are descriptions, not instructions for the agent. How to choose and install: https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/agents.md