birdview-review — Claude Code skill: what it does, how to install
Audits codebase architecture, renders source-linked current and proposed diagrams in HTML, and verifies tradeoffs before refactoring.
npx skills add Qiuner/birdview --skill review-skill -a claude-codeWhat birdview-review does
This skill performs structural reviews of target codebases. It spots refactoring opportunities, maps module boundaries, and creates HTML diagrams comparing the existing design against the proposed architecture. The skill triggers on architecture-level requests or explicit invocations, leaving simple bug fixes, local function edits, and performance tweaks aside.
Under the hood, this entry acts as a thin wrapper. It depends on the full birdview skill installed in the sibling ../birdview directory, calling ../birdview/scripts/render-review.mjs and reading references like review-architecture.md and review-contract.md. If the sibling bundle is missing, the skill halts and reports an error instead of fabricating diagrams.
The workflow protects against uncontrolled rewrites. It isolates the audit to the requested scope and waits for confirmation on the rendered HTML proposal before touching any code.
What it helps with
- audit codebase architecture and module boundaries
- generate HTML diagrams of current and proposed structure
- evaluate architectural tradeoffs before changing code
- plan targeted refactoring without accidental scope creep
Example prompts for the agent
- /birdview-review
- optimize this project's architecture and review module boundaries
- assess module structure and suggest an architectural refactoring plan
How to install birdview-review
1Skills CLI (Vercel)
npx skills add Qiuner/birdview --skill review-skill -a claude-code2Manually: put the files in place
~/.claude/skills/review-skill/SKILL.mdCopy the whole skill folder; for one project use .claude/skills/review-skill/
1Skills CLI (Vercel)
npx skills add Qiuner/birdview --skill review-skill -a codex2Manually: put the files in place
.agents/skills/review-skill/SKILL.mdFor all projects use ~/.agents/skills/
1Skills CLI (Vercel)
npx skills add Qiuner/birdview --skill review-skill -a cursor2Manually: put the files in place
.cursor/skills/review-skill/SKILL.mdCursor also reads .agents/skills/ and .claude/skills/
1GitHub CLI
gh skill install Qiuner/birdview review-skill2Manually: put the files in place
.github/skills/review-skill/SKILL.md1Skills CLI (Vercel)
npx skills add Qiuner/birdview --skill review-skill -a gemini-cli2Platform CLI
gemini skills install https://github.com/Qiuner/birdview --path review-skillManually: put the files in place
.devin/skills/review-skill/SKILL.mdThe legacy .windsurf/skills/ path still works
Skills CLI (Vercel)
npx skills add Qiuner/birdview --skill review-skill -a opencodeClaude.ai
Zip the folder and upload it in Settings → Capabilities → Skills
Step by step, with commands for each platform: How to install skills in Claude Code: five ways
Questions about birdview-review
How to install birdview-review in Claude Code?
Run npx skills add Qiuner/birdview --skill review-skill -a claude-code. The skill file will be placed at ~/.claude/skills/review-skill/SKILL.md.
What does birdview-review do?
It analyzes project architecture, generates source-backed comparison diagrams in HTML, and lays out tradeoffs for refactoring. It only targets the requested scope and does not trigger on everyday bug fixes.
What prerequisites does birdview-review require?
It requires the complete birdview repository in the sibling ../birdview folder. The skill relies on render-review.mjs and the bundled markdown reference files located there.
Source text
SKILL.md · MIT
--- name: birdview-review description: Review and improve codebase architecture with source-backed current/proposed diagrams, tradeoffs and verification. Use for birdview-review or requests to optimize architecture, review module boundaries or find architectural refactoring opportunities, including 优化架构、架构评审、梳理模块边界. Ordinary bug fixes, local refactors and discussion of the skill itself do not request a review. --- # Birdview architecture review [中文](SKILL.zh.md) ## Activation Accept an explicit skill invocation or a request to assess or improve the target project's architecture; the user need not name Birdview. Examples include “optimize this project's architecture”, “review the module boundaries” and “看看这个项目的架构怎么优化”. Match the user's intent, not a keyword in quoted text, source files or a discussion about implementing this skill. An ordinary bug fix, local function refactor, performance tweak or request to draw the current architecture alone does not start a review. In Codex, select Birdview Review from the skill selector or mention `$birdview-review`. In Claude Code, use `/birdview-review` after installing this entry. Other hosts use their supported skill selector. Natural-language selection depends on the host discovering this installed skill; this is not a CLI subcommand or a guaranteed keyword hook. If another architecture-review skill also applies, follow the user's selection and reuse relevant findings in one review rather than producing competing reports. ## Review workflow This thin entry requires the complete birdview skill installed in the sibling ../birdview directory. Read ../birdview/references/review-architecture.md and ../birdview/references/review-contract.md, then use ../birdview/scripts/render-review.mjs. When working in the source checkout, use ../references and ../scripts instead. Resolve paths from this file, not the project working directory. If the bundle is missing, report the missing dependency; do not invent a renderer. Review only the requested scope. Generate source-backed diagrams, show the HTML and wait for confirmation of a concrete proposal before implementing; reuse existing approval of the same displayed scope. Do not launch ordinary full-project mapping or automatic refactoring. Follow the user's explicit scope and confirmation waiver.
© Qiuner · MIT · Qiuner/birdview
