Repo Onboarding

Use this skill when entering an unfamiliar repository and you need a dependable first-pass map before making changes.

Objectives

• identify the main runtime and package manager
• locate the actual app entrypoints instead of guessing
• surface tests, linting, build, and deployment hooks
• call out fragile areas, generated code, and secret-handling risk

Workflow

1. Read the top-level manifest, README, and directory structure.
2. Find the real execution path from entrypoint to key modules.
3. Identify quality gates: lint, type-check, tests, e2e, build.
4. Summarize the codebase in a compact architecture note.
5. Propose the safest next step for the current task.

Deliverable

Produce a short onboarding brief with:

• stack summary
• critical directories
• commands worth running
• likely risk zones
• open questions that truly block execution

Avoid

• rewriting architecture docs before the repo is understood
• assuming the largest folder is the main app
• recommending broad refactors during onboarding

Quality Criteria

• Steps are executable in sequence without external context
• Decision points have clear if/then branching
• Rollback or abort procedures are documented for risky steps
• Expected duration or time-per-step is estimated

Verification (4C)

Check	Question
Correctness	Do the steps execute correctly in the order specified?
Completeness	Are decision points, error handling, and escalation paths all documented?
Context-fit	Could someone with the right access but no prior context complete this runbook?
Consequence	If Step N fails and the operator skips to Step N+1, what breaks?

Edge Cases

• Steps require access the operator doesn't have — Document exact access requirements upfront. Include escalation contact for emergency access.
• Environment differs from documented state — Add a pre-flight check as Step 0 to verify prerequisites before starting.
• Runbook is triggered during off-hours — Document who to contact and which steps can be safely deferred to business hours.

Changelog

• v1.0.0 — Initial release