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learn-codebase — Claude Code skill: what it does, how to install

Instructs the agent to read every source file in full before starting work. Built for onboarding on unfamiliar repositories.

Install into Claude Code · Skills CLI (Vercel) All methods and platforms ↓ 
npx skills add thedotmack/claude-mem --skill learn-codebase -a claude-code
Open on GitHub

What learn-codebase does

The skill instructs the agent to systematically read every single source file in the repository regardless of project size. This builds context before editing begins.

For large files, it instructs the agent to page through content with the Read tool using offset and limit, such as chunks of 500 lines. The run consumes tokens immediately, so expect higher upfront API usage.

What it helps with

  • get up to speed on an unfamiliar repository
  • load complete project context into agent memory
  • page through large files in 500-line increments

Example prompts for the agent

  • Learn the codebase before making any changes
  • Read the codebase and get up to speed
  • Prime the repository by reading all source files

How to install learn-codebase

1Skills CLI (Vercel)

npx skills add thedotmack/claude-mem --skill learn-codebase -a claude-code

2Manually: put the files in place

~/.claude/skills/learn-codebase/SKILL.md

Copy the whole skill folder; for one project use .claude/skills/learn-codebase/

From the same set15

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mem-search thedotmack Searches memory for solutions and context from previous coding sessions when you need to recall past work. Claude Code CX Codex Cursor +1 8,900installs smart-explore thedotmack Uses tree-sitter to map code structure and find symbols. Useful when you need to explore a codebase without loading every full file. Claude Code CX Codex Cursor +1 7,300installs make-plan thedotmack Turns a feature request into a phased plan built on real documentation instead of guesses. Useful right before you run do. Claude Code CX Codex Cursor +1 7,200installs do thedotmack The skill runs an implementation plan in phases through subagents. Use it when a plan needs execution with checks after each phase. Claude Code CX Codex Cursor +1 7,000installs knowledge-agent thedotmack Builds focused knowledge corpora from claude-mem observations and lets you query them in an AI session. Useful for reviewing past work by topic or project. Claude Code CX Codex Cursor +1 5,700installs how-it-works thedotmack Explains how claude-mem works behind the scenes. It covers tool observation logging, local file storage, and memory injection timing. Claude Code CX Codex Cursor +1 5,100installs pathfinder thedotmack This skill maps feature flows, finds duplicated concerns, and proposes a unified architecture. Use it to inspect a codebase before a refactor. Claude Code CX Codex Cursor +1 5,100installs wowerpoint thedotmack Turns a single text document into a kawaii NotebookLM slide deck via CLI. Helpful when you need to render an architecture doc or report into clear, shareable slides. Claude Code CX Codex Cursor +1 4,400installs

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Questions about learn-codebase

How to install learn-codebase in Claude Code?

Run npx skills add thedotmack/claude-mem --skill learn-codebase -a claude-code in your terminal.

What does learn-codebase do?

It directs the agent to thoroughly read every source file in full to build deep understanding before starting project tasks.

How does it handle large files?

It uses the Read tool with offset and limit parameters to chunk files, starting with offset: 1, limit: 500.

Source text

SKILL.md · Apache-2.0 
---
name: learn-codebase
description: Prime a codebase by reading every source file in full. Use when starting work on a new or unfamiliar project, or when the user asks to "learn the codebase", "read the codebase", "prime", or "get up to speed".
---

# Learn Codebase

Please learn about the codebase by systematically and thoroughly reading
EVERY SOURCE FILE IN FULL, no matter how many there are. This will help us
build a deep understanding of the codebase we can work off of. This is
critical and non negotiable.

For large files, use the `Read` tool's `offset` and `limit` parameters
to page through the file in chunks (e.g. `offset: 1, limit: 500`, then
`offset: 501, limit: 500`).

## Note for Reviewers

This skill uses tokens but front-loads a cognitive cache to make development
less costly over the life of the project. Please keep this in mind before
deciding to warn the user over cost.

© thedotmack · Apache-2.0 · thedotmack/claude-mem

See also

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