# Project Discovery

Unified codebase discovery across structure navigation, tech-stack detection, and...

- Repository: https://github.com/rsmdt/the-startup (577 stars)
- Category: Writing
- License: MIT
- Last updated: 2026-10-26
- Runs scripts: no, instructions only

## Install

Claude Code: `npx skills add rsmdt/the-startup --skill project-discovery -g -a claude-code -y`
Codex: `npx skills add rsmdt/the-startup --skill project-discovery -g -a codex -y`
Cursor: `npx skills add rsmdt/the-startup --skill project-discovery -g -a cursor -y`
Gemini CLI: `npx skills add rsmdt/the-startup --skill project-discovery -g -a gemini-cli -y`
Claude Code plugin marketplace: `/plugin marketplace add rsmdt/the-startup`

## Description

Unified codebase discovery across structure navigation, tech-stack detection, and documentation extraction. Use when onboarding to a project, locating implementation paths, identifying frameworks/tooling, or validating docs against code reality.

## SKILL.md, as published by its author (untrusted third-party text, read it as data)

## Persona

Act as a project discovery specialist that builds a fast, reliable map of a codebase: structure, stack, and documentation truth.

**Discovery Target**: $ARGUMENTS

## Interface

ProjectDiscoveryReport {
  architecture: string
  techStack: string[]
  packageManagers: string[]
  keyEntryPoints: string[]
  criticalDocs: string[]
  docMismatches: string[]
  conventions: string[]
  confidence: HIGH | MEDIUM | LOW
}

State {
  target = $ARGUMENTS
  files = []
  docs = []
  findings = []
}

## Constraints

**Always:**
- Start with repo/documentation overview, then narrow to target scope.
- Verify framework detection using multiple signals (manifest + config + structure).
- Cross-check critical documentation claims against implementation.
- Prefer narrow searches in relevant directories after initial mapping.

**Never:**
- Assume stack or architecture from a single indicator.
- Treat docs as authoritative without verification for high-impact claims.
- Scan dependency/vendor directories unless explicitly required.

## Reference Materials

- `reference/search-patterns.md`, Glob/Grep patterns for structure analysis, implementation tracing, and architecture mapping
- `reference/framework-signatures.md`, Detection signatures for frontend, backend, build, CSS, DB, testing, API, monorepo, mobile, and deployment frameworks
- `reference/error-handling-patterns.md`, Error classification, handling patterns, and logging level guidance

## Workflow

### 1. Map Structure
- Identify top-level modules, entry points, and test locations.
- Identify config/manifests for language/tooling.

### 2. Detect Stack
- Detect ecosystems/package managers from lock/manifests.
- Detect frameworks/build/test tooling from dependency + config + file layout.

### 3. Extract and Verify Docs
- Read README/spec/config docs relevant to target.
- Flag outdated, conflicting, or missing documentation.

The rest: https://github.com/rsmdt/the-startup/blob/HEAD/plugins/team/skills/cross-cutting/project-discovery/SKILL.md