---
name: Project Discovery
slug: project-discovery
category: AI Engineering
description: Project Discovery builds a map of a codebase by tracing structure, detecting the tech stack, and checking documentation against implementation. Use it when onboarding, finding entry points, or verifying docs.
github: "https://github.com/rsmdt/the-startup/tree/main/plugins/team/skills/cross-cutting/project-discovery"
language: Shell
stars: 508
forks: 58
install: "npx degit https://github.com/rsmdt/the-startup/tree/main/plugins/team/skills/cross-cutting/project-discovery ~/.claude/skills/project-discovery"
installs_to: ~/.claude/skills/project-discovery
source_path: plugins/team/skills/cross-cutting/project-discovery/SKILL.md
collection_size: 25
category_size: 2451
collection_url: "https://dirskills.com/collections/rsmdt/the-startup"
added: 2026-08-26T05:12:43.626Z
last_synced: 2026-08-26T05:12:43.626Z
canonical_url: "https://dirskills.com/skills/project-discovery"
---

# Project Discovery

Project Discovery builds a map of a codebase by tracing structure, detecting the tech stack, and checking documentation against implementation. Use it when onboarding, finding entry points, or verifying docs.

**Install:**

```bash
npx degit https://github.com/rsmdt/the-startup/tree/main/plugins/team/skills/cross-cutting/project-discovery ~/.claude/skills/project-discovery
```

## README

## 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.

### 4. Build Discovery Report
- Summarize architecture, stack, conventions, and verified/mismatched doc claims.
- Highlight unknowns and next best inspection steps.