# Ase Code Explain

> >

- **Type:** Skill
- **Install:** `agentstack add skill-rse-ase-ase-code-explain`
- **Verified:** Yes — security-reviewed for prompt injection and unsafe behavior
- **Seller:** [rse](https://agentstack.voostack.com/s/rse)
- **Installs:** 0
- **Category:** [Agent Skills](https://agentstack.voostack.com/c/agent-skills)
- **Latest version:** 0.1.0
- **License:** Apache-2.0
- **Upstream author:** [rse](https://github.com/rse)
- **Source:** https://github.com/rse/ase/tree/master/plugin/skills/ase-code-explain
- **Website:** https://ase.tools

## Install

```sh
agentstack add skill-rse-ase-ase-code-explain
```

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

## About

@${CLAUDE_SKILL_DIR}/../../meta/ase-control.md
@${CLAUDE_SKILL_DIR}/../../meta/ase-skill.md
@${CLAUDE_SKILL_DIR}/../../meta/ase-getopt.md

Explain Source Code

    $ARGUMENTS

*Analyze* the source code of , and its directly related source
code and *explain* it in a *brief*, *standardized*, and *concise* way.

1.  
    Investigate the code. If the code base is large, you *MUST* use
    the `Agent` tool (not inline work) to create multiple sub-agents to
    split the investigation task into appropriate chunks.
    

2.  
    **Explain the WHAT and WHY**.

    First, explain *WHAT* the code does (*functionality*).
    Second, explain *WHY* the code does it (*rationale*).

    Keep your explanations *brief* and *concise*.
    Output the result with the following :

    
     **WHAT** (You should know what):
    - [...]
    - [...]
    - [...]

     **WHY** (You should know why):
    - [...]
    - [...]
    - [...]
    
    

3.  
    **Give insights with ANALOGY and DIAGRAM**.

    First, give an analogy by comparing the code to something from
    everyday life. How can I understand this by something I already
    know? Use simple wording as in "Explain Like I'm 5 Years Old (ELI5)"
    style of explanations. For very complex concepts, use multiple
    analogies.

    Second, draw a diagram to show the control or data flow, code or
    data structure, or code or data relationships. What gives the best
    overall overview of the code?
    Build a Mermaid specification , choosing the Mermaid
    diagram type per intent: `classDiagram` for class/method structure,
    `sequenceDiagram` for actor/message flow, or `flowchart TB` for
    boxes-and-lines component layouts. Then dispatch the rendering to
    the `ase-meta-diagram` sub-agent by calling the tool `Agent(name:
    "ase-meta-diagram", description: "Diagram Rendering", subagent_type:
    "ase:ase-meta-diagram", prompt: )` and reproduce its
    returned fenced code block verbatim in the response text. Do *not*
    hand-draw.

    Keep your explanation *brief* and *concise*.
    Output the result with the following :

    
     **ANALOGY** (You should imagine):
    - [...]
    - [...]
    - [...]

     **DIAGRAM** (You should grasp):
    [...]
    
    

4.  
    **Highlight CRUXES and GOTCHAS**.

    First, tell what are the *cruxes* of the code.
    Is there something one should really *notice*?

    Second, tell what are the gotchas of the code.
    Is there something one could really *stumble over*?

    Keep your explanation *brief* and *concise*.
    Output the result with the following :

    
     **CRUXES** (You should notice):
    - [...]
    - [...]
    - [...]

     **GOTCHAS** (You should not stumble over):
    - [...]
    - [...]
    - [...]

## Source & license

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

- **Author:** [rse](https://github.com/rse)
- **Source:** [rse/ase](https://github.com/rse/ase)
- **License:** Apache-2.0
- **Homepage:** https://ase.tools

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-rse-ase-ase-code-explain
- Seller: https://agentstack.voostack.com/s/rse
- Browse the marketplace: https://agentstack.voostack.com/browse

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