# Researching Codebase

> Investigates codebase before planning. Use before any non-trivial implementation task to gather context in isolation.

- **Type:** Skill
- **Install:** `agentstack add skill-qte77-claude-code-plugins-researching-codebase`
- **Verified:** Yes — security-reviewed for prompt injection and unsafe behavior
- **Seller:** [qte77](https://agentstack.voostack.com/s/qte77)
- **Installs:** 0
- **Category:** [AI & ML](https://agentstack.voostack.com/c/ai-and-ml)
- **Latest version:** 0.1.0
- **License:** Apache-2.0
- **Upstream author:** [qte77](https://github.com/qte77)
- **Source:** https://github.com/qte77/claude-code-plugins/tree/main/plugins/codebase-tools/skills/researching-codebase
- **Website:** https://qte77.github.io/claude-code-plugins/

## Install

```sh
agentstack add skill-qte77-claude-code-plugins-researching-codebase
```

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

## About

# Codebase Research (ACE-FCA)

**Query**: $ARGUMENTS

Gathers codebase context **in isolation** before planning. Prevents search
artifacts from polluting main context.

## Core Principles

1. **Documentation-only** - Describe what exists, where, and how it works
2. **No evaluations** - Never suggest improvements or critique implementation
3. **Evidence-based** - Provide file paths, line numbers, and code references
4. **Isolation** - Research runs in fork context; return only distilled findings

## When to Use

- Before planning non-trivial implementations
- When unfamiliar with relevant codebase areas
- Before architectural decisions

## Workflow

1. **Read mentioned files first** - If specific files mentioned, read completely before exploring
2. **Decompose the question** - Break query into researchable components
3. **Explore codebase** - Investigate architecture, patterns, constraints
4. **Identify scope** - Determine relevant areas based on findings
5. **Distill** - Return structured summary using output format below

## Output Format

Follow ACE-FCA quality equation: **Correct + Complete + Minimal noise**

```markdown
---
research_query: ""
timestamp: ""
files_examined: 
---

## Key Files

| File | Purpose | Key Lines |
|------|---------|-----------|
| `path/to/file.ext` | Brief purpose | L42-58 |

## Patterns

- **Pattern name**: Description with file reference (`path:line`)

## Constraints

- Constraint with evidence (`path:line`)

```

## Evidence Requirements

Every claim must include:

- **File path**: Exact location (`src/auth/login.ts`)
- **Line numbers**: Specific lines (`L42-58` or `L127`)
- **Code reference**: Function/class name when relevant

**Bad**: "Authentication uses JWT tokens"
**Good**: "Authentication uses JWT tokens (`src/auth/jwt.ts:L23-45`, `verifyToken` function)"

## References

See `references/context-management.md` and `references/core-principles.md`.

## Source & license

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

- **Author:** [qte77](https://github.com/qte77)
- **Source:** [qte77/claude-code-plugins](https://github.com/qte77/claude-code-plugins)
- **License:** Apache-2.0
- **Homepage:** https://qte77.github.io/claude-code-plugins/

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-qte77-claude-code-plugins-researching-codebase
- Seller: https://agentstack.voostack.com/s/qte77
- 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%.