codedna — Claude Code plugin: architecture annotations
codedna adds structured architecture notes to source files. Use its commands to map a project, find stale dependency references, or inspect refactor impact.
/plugin marketplace add anthropics/claude-plugins-community
/plugin install codedna@claude-communityWhat codedna does
The plugin annotates project files with exports:, used_by:, and rules: fields. Run /codedna:init to annotate files that lack notes, /codedna:check to find missing annotations and stale references, or /codedna:manifest to view the project architecture map. Before a refactor, /codedna:impact <file> shows the dependency chain for a file.
Four hooks handle session and edit events: they read .codedna at session start, remind Claude to check a docstring before tool use, validate annotations after writes and edits, and give a reminder when the session ends. The codedna-reviewer agent can be invoked through /agents. The annotation-check hook requires Python 3.11+, so that check depends on having that version available. CodeDNA covers 12 programming languages across 28 extensions and 7 template families; AXL uses experimental native frames.
What it helps with
- annotate project files that lack architecture notes
- locate stale
used_by:references - view the project architecture map
- trace dependent files before a refactor
- validate annotations after file edits
Example prompts for the agent
- Add annotations to project files that do not have them yet:
/codedna:init. - Find unannotated files and stale
used_by:references:/codedna:check. - Before changing
src/auth.ts, show me its dependent-file chain:/codedna:impact src/auth.ts.
How to install codedna
Plugin marketplace
/plugin marketplace add anthropics/claude-plugins-community/plugin install codedna@claude-communityStep by step, with commands for each platform: Claude Code plugins: marketplaces, installing, and building your own
Questions about codedna
How do I install codedna in Claude Code?
Run /plugin marketplace add anthropics/claude-plugins-community, then /plugin install codedna@claude-community.
What does codedna do?
It adds source-file annotations describing exports, dependents, and constraints. Its commands can report annotation coverage, map the project, and trace refactor impact.
Does codedna require Python?
Python 3.11+ is required by the hook that checks annotations. The plugin also includes four automatic hooks and a codedna-reviewer agent.
Source text
codedna-plugin · MIT
# CodeDNA Plugin for Claude Code Extends Claude Code with the [CodeDNA](https://github.com/Larens94/codedna) in-source AI communication protocol. ## What it does - **/codedna:init** — annotate all unannotated files in the project - **/codedna:check** — coverage report: which files lack annotation, which `used_by:` references are stale - **/codedna:manifest** — full architectural map in one pass (replaces 10-20 file reads) - **/codedna:impact `<file>`** — cascade dependency chain before a refactor - **4 automatic hooks** — SessionStart (reads `.codedna`), PreToolUse (reminds to read docstring), PostToolUse (validates L1 + L2 annotations on every Write/Edit), Stop (session end reminder) - **codedna-reviewer agent** — on-demand compliance reviewer, invokable via `/agents` ## Install ```bash claude plugin marketplace add Larens94/codedna claude plugin install codedna@codedna ``` Or test locally: ```bash claude --plugin-dir ./codedna-plugin ``` ## Usage ``` /codedna:init # annotate all unannotated files /codedna:check # find unannotated files and stale used_by: refs /codedna:manifest # show project architecture map /codedna:impact <file> # show who depends on this file ``` ## What is CodeDNA? CodeDNA is an inter-agent communication protocol embedded in source files. Every file carries a structured annotation that tells AI agents: - **`exports:`** — what this file provides publicly - **`used_by:`** — who depends on it (reverse dependency graph) - **`rules:`** — hard constraints that must never be violated - **`agent:`** — append-only session log from previous AI agents - **`message:`** — agent-to-agent chat: open observations, promoted to `rules:` or dismissed This gives any AI agent instant architectural context without reading dozens of files. Supports 12 programming languages across 28 extensions, plus 7 template families; AXL uses experimental native frames rather than comments. See the [full spec](https://github.com/Larens94/codedna/blob/main/SPEC.md) for details. ## Requirements - Claude Code - Python 3.11+ (for the annotation check hook)
© Larens94 · MIT · Larens94/codedna
