# Read Codebase

> Explore and understand code structure efficiently using semantic navigation. Use when exploring unfamiliar code, understanding architecture, finding symbol relationships, or investigating how something works.

- **Type:** Skill
- **Install:** `agentstack add skill-devitools-skills-read-codebase`
- **Verified:** Yes — security-reviewed for prompt injection and unsafe behavior
- **Seller:** [devitools](https://agentstack.voostack.com/s/devitools)
- **Installs:** 0
- **Category:** [Search](https://agentstack.voostack.com/c/search)
- **Latest version:** 0.1.0
- **License:** MIT
- **Upstream author:** [devitools](https://github.com/devitools)
- **Source:** https://github.com/devitools/skills/tree/main/read-codebase
- **Website:** https://agentskills.io

## Install

```sh
agentstack add skill-devitools-skills-read-codebase
```

Requires the [AgentStack CLI](https://agentstack.voostack.com/docs/cli). Works with Claude Code, Cursor, and any MCP-compatible agent.

## About

# Semantic Code Exploration

This skill guides efficient code exploration using **Serena MCP** for semantic navigation.

## Prerequisite Check

Before proceeding, verify Serena is available by checking for `mcp__serena__*` tools.

**If Serena is NOT configured:**
Tell the user: "This exploration would benefit from Serena MCP for semantic code navigation, but it's not configured. See `.claude/skills/read-codebase/setup.md` for installation instructions. Proceeding with standard tools (Grep/Read/Glob)."

Then use standard tools as fallback.

## Tool Priority (when Serena is available)

1. **get_symbols_overview** - First step for any file
2. **find_symbol** - Locate specific classes/methods
3. **find_referencing_symbols** - Find all usages
4. **search_for_pattern** - When symbol name is unknown
5. **read_memory** - Check project knowledge (architecture, patterns)

## Quick Reference

### Understanding a File
1. `get_symbols_overview(relative_path="path/to/file.php")` → see structure
2. `find_symbol(name_path_pattern="ClassName", depth=1)` → see methods
3. Only use `include_body=true` for specific methods you need

### Finding Where Code Is Used
1. `find_symbol` to locate the symbol
2. `find_referencing_symbols` to find all call sites

### Exploring Unknown Code
1. Check memories: `list_memories` → `read_memory("architecture")`
2. Use `search_for_pattern` with keywords
3. Follow up with symbolic tools

## Anti-Patterns

- Reading entire files when you only need one method
- Using Grep/Read when Serena tools would be more precise
- Skipping symbol overview and going straight to file read
- Not checking project memories for existing documentation

## When to Use Standard Tools Instead

- Simple text search across many files → Grep
- Config files, markdown, non-code → Read
- Known file needing full content → Read
- Serena not configured → Fallback to Grep/Read/Glob

## Additional Resources

- Detailed workflows: [workflows.md](workflows.md)
- Setup instructions: [setup.md](setup.md)

## Source & license

This open-source skill is cataloged on AgentStack and links to its original source — we do not rehost the code.

- **Author:** [devitools](https://github.com/devitools)
- **Source:** [devitools/skills](https://github.com/devitools/skills)
- **License:** MIT
- **Homepage:** https://agentskills.io

Install and usage instructions live in the source repository linked above.

## Pricing

- **Free** — Free

## Security capabilities

Automated source analysis of v0.1.0 — what this tool can access:

- **Network access:** no
- **Filesystem access:** no
- **Shell / process execution:** no
- **Environment & secrets:** no
- **Dynamic code execution:** no

*"Yes" means the capability is present in the source — more access means more to trust, not that it is unsafe.*


## Versions

- **0.1.0** — security scan: passed — Imported from the upstream source.

## Links

- Listing page: https://agentstack.voostack.com/l/skill-devitools-skills-read-codebase
- Seller: https://agentstack.voostack.com/s/devitools
- Browse the marketplace: https://agentstack.voostack.com/browse

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Listed on AgentStack — the marketplace for AI agent skills and MCP servers. Every listing is security-reviewed. Creators keep 70%.