Codebase Summary
Generate comprehensive codebase documentation optimized for AI assistants and developers.
Parameters
Gather all parameters upfront in a single prompt:
| Parameter | Default | Description |
|---|---|---|
codebase_path | Current directory | Path to analyze |
output_dir | .sop/summary | Documentation output directory |
consolidate | false | Create consolidated file at codebase root |
consolidate_target | AGENTS.md | Target: AGENTS.md, README.md, or CONTRIBUTING.md |
check_consistency | true | Check for cross-document inconsistencies |
check_completeness | true | Identify documentation gaps |
update_mode | false | Update existing docs based on git changes |
Workflow
Step 1: Setup
- •Validate
codebase_pathexists - •Create
output_dirif needed - •If
update_modeandindex.mdexists:- •Run
git log --oneline -20to identify recent changes - •Focus analysis on modified components
- •Run
Step 2: Analyze Structure
Run the structure analyzer:
python {baseDir}/scripts/analyze_structure.py "{codebase_path}" --depth 4 --output "{output_dir}/codebase_info.md"
Run the dependency extractor:
python {baseDir}/scripts/extract_dependencies.py "{codebase_path}" --output "{output_dir}/dependencies.md"
Then manually analyze:
- •Identify packages, modules, major components
- •Map architectural patterns (MVC, microservices, etc.)
- •Find key interfaces, APIs, entry points
Step 3: Generate Documentation
Create these files in {output_dir}/:
index.md - Primary AI context file:
- •AI instructions for using the documentation
- •Quick reference table mapping questions to files
- •Table of contents with summaries for each file
- •Brief codebase overview
architecture.md:
- •System architecture with Mermaid
graphdiagram - •Layer descriptions
- •Design patterns used
- •Key design decisions with rationale
components.md:
- •Component overview with Mermaid
classDiagram - •Per-component: purpose, location, key files, dependencies, interface
interfaces.md:
- •API endpoints with request/response formats
- •Internal interfaces and implementations
- •Error codes and handling
data_models.md:
- •ER diagram with Mermaid
erDiagram - •Per-model: table, fields, indexes, relationships
workflows.md:
- •Key processes with Mermaid
sequenceDiagram - •Step-by-step breakdowns
- •Error handling
See {baseDir}/references/documentation-templates.md for templates.
Step 4: Review
If check_consistency:
- •Verify terminology consistency across documents
- •Check cross-references are valid
If check_completeness:
- •Identify undocumented components
- •Note gaps from language/framework limitations
Save findings to {output_dir}/review_notes.md.
Step 5: Consolidate (if enabled)
If consolidate is true:
- •Create file at codebase root (not in output_dir)
- •Use
consolidate_targetas filename - •Tailor content to target:
| Target | Focus |
|---|---|
| AGENTS.md | AI context, directory structure, coding patterns, testing |
| README.md | Project overview, installation, usage, getting started |
| CONTRIBUTING.md | Dev setup, coding standards, contribution workflow |
Default AGENTS.md prompt: Focus on information NOT in README.md or CONTRIBUTING.md—file purposes, directory structure, coding patterns, testing instructions, package guidance.
Step 6: Summary
Report:
- •What was documented
- •Next steps for using documentation
- •How to add index.md to AI assistant context
- •If
update_mode: summarize detected changes
Output Structure
{consolidate_target} # At codebase root if consolidate=true
{output_dir}/
├── index.md # Primary AI context (read this first)
├── codebase_info.md # Structure analysis output
├── architecture.md # System architecture
├── components.md # Component details
├── interfaces.md # APIs and interfaces
├── data_models.md # Data models
├── workflows.md # Key workflows
├── dependencies.md # Dependencies output
└── review_notes.md # Review findings
Progress Indicators
Provide updates:
Setting up...
✅ Created {output_dir}
Analyzing structure...
✅ Found X packages across Y languages
✅ Identified Z components
Generating documentation...
✅ Created index.md
✅ Generated architecture.md, components.md...
Reviewing...
✅ Consistency check complete
✅ Found N gaps documented in review_notes.md
Done!
✅ Documentation at {output_dir}
✅ Primary context file: {output_dir}/index.md
Resources
- •Scripts:
{baseDir}/scripts/analyze_structure.py,{baseDir}/scripts/extract_dependencies.py - •Templates:
{baseDir}/references/documentation-templates.md