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file-analysis

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Structured file enumeration and content analysis for understanding codebase structure before reviews or refactoring. Triggers: file analysis, codebase structure, directory mapping, hotspot detection, code exploration, file enumeration, structure mapping, module boundaries Use when: before architecture reviews to understand file organization, exploring unfamiliar codebases to map structure, estimating scope for refactoring or migration DO NOT use when: general code exploration - use the Explore agent. DO NOT use when: searching for specific patterns - use Grep directly. Provides structural context for downstream review and refactoring workflows.

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How to use this skill

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Source SKILL.md: https://github.com/majiayu000/claude-skill-registry/blob/HEAD/skills/development/file-analysis/SKILL.md

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File Analysis

When to Use

  • Before architecture reviews to understand module boundaries and file organization.
  • When exploring unfamiliar codebases to map structure before making changes.
  • As input to scope estimation for refactoring or migration work.

Required TodoWrite Items

  1. file-analysis:root-identified
  2. file-analysis:structure-mapped
  3. file-analysis:patterns-detected
  4. file-analysis:hotspots-noted

Mark each item as complete as you finish the corresponding step.

Step 1: Identify Root (file-analysis:root-identified)

  • Confirm the analysis root directory with pwd.
  • Note any monorepo boundaries, workspace roots, or subproject paths.
  • Capture the project type (language, framework) from manifest files (package.json, Cargo.toml, pyproject.toml, etc.).

Step 2: Map Structure (file-analysis:structure-mapped)

  • Run tree -L 2 -d or find . -type d -maxdepth 2 to capture the top-level directory layout.
  • Identify standard directories: src/, lib/, tests/, docs/, scripts/, configs/.
  • Note any non-standard organization patterns that may affect downstream analysis.

Step 3: Detect Patterns (file-analysis:patterns-detected)

  • Use find . -name "*.ext" | wc -l to count files by extension.
  • Identify dominant languages and their file distributions.
  • Note configuration files, generated files, and vendored dependencies.
  • Run wc -l $(find . -name "*.py" -o -name "*.rs" | head -20) to sample file sizes.

Step 4: Note Hotspots (file-analysis:hotspots-noted)

  • Identify large files (potential "god objects"): find . -type f -exec wc -l {} + | sort -rn | head -10.
  • Flag deeply nested directories that may indicate complexity.
  • Note files with unusual naming conventions or placement.

Exit Criteria

  • TodoWrite items are completed with concrete observations.
  • Downstream workflows (architecture review, refactoring) have structural context.
  • File counts, directory layout, and hotspots are documented for reference.