Compatible with Cursor, Claude Code, Cline, Roo Code, Antigravity

Multi-File Codebase Architectural Onboarding & Dependency Map

Prompt an agent to analyze an unfamiliar codebase and deliver an architectural breakdown, data flows, and gotchas.

OnboardingArchitectureAI AgentsCodebaseDocumentation

v1.0.0 · Updated 2026-08

Skill Objective

Explore and analyze an unfamiliar repository to produce a structured Architectural Onboarding Brief with directory maps, data flow traces, and non-obvious developer gotchas.

Execution Workflow Procedure

Ordered steps the coding agent executes when performing this skill.

Scan Entry Points & Package Manifests

Inspect root package.json/build.gradle, app routing layouts, environment configs, and entry point scripts.

Trace Core Data & Request Flows

Follow an HTTP request from routing middleware through domain services to the persistence layer.

Catalog Hidden Gotchas & Non-Standard Conventions

Document project-specific quirks, brittle configurations, and architectural patterns every engineer must know.

Agent Safety Guardrails & Anti-Hallucination Rules

DO NOT guess directory purposes without inspecting actual files.
DO NOT output generic boilerplate; highlight repo-specific findings.

Expected Output Format

High-level overview, request flow breakdown, and gotchas.

🗺️ System Architecture & Directory Map: Directory responsibilities and stack.

⚡ Core Request Flows: End-to-end data pipeline traces.

⚠️ Traps, Gotchas & Conventions: Non-obvious project rules.

Domain Verification Checks

End-to-End Request Trace: Traces real data flow from ingress to database.

Gotcha Detection: Discovers undocumented quirks and conventions.

Actionable Starter Tasks: Suggests 3 starter tasks for new engineers.

Example Agent Invocations

"Analyze this repository and generate an architectural onboarding brief for new team members."

"Map out the directory structure and main data flow of this unfamiliar backend service."

Install / Configure This Skill

# Place in .cursorrules or create .cursor/rules/multi-file-codebase-onboarding.mdc
# Trigger: Whenever you perform multi-file codebase architectural onboarding & dependency map

---
name: multi-file-codebase-onboarding
description: Explore unfamiliar codebases to produce architectural onboarding briefs with directory maps and developer gotchas.
version: 1.0.0
compatibility: [Cursor, Claude Code, Cline, Roo Code, Antigravity]
---

# Multi-File Codebase Architectural Onboarding & Dependency Map

## Objective
Rapidly onboard engineers to unfamiliar repositories by mapping system architecture, request flows, and developer gotchas.

## Workflow
1. **Entry Point Scan**: Examine project manifests, routing layouts, and build configs.
2. **Request Trace**: Trace an end-to-end user request across middleware, services, and database.
3. **Gotcha Catalog**: Document non-standard patterns, brittle configs, and architecture conventions.

Complementary Agent Prompt

Need a quick one-time prompt for chat?

Try the Multi-File Codebase Exploration & Architectural Onboarding — a lightweight version designed for 1-click copying directly into Claude, ChatGPT, or Cursor chat.

View Prompt