Agent skill

architect-detective

Use when analyzing architecture and system design. Find design patterns, map layers, identify core abstractions via PageRank. Uses claudemem AST structural analysis for efficient architecture investigation.

View SKILL.md on GitHub Repository
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Install this agent skill to your Project

npx add-skill https://github.com/MadAppGang/claude-code/tree/main/plugins/code-analysis/skills/architect-detective

SKILL.md

Architect Detective Skill

This skill uses claudemem's AST structural analysis for architecture investigation.

Why Claudemem Works Better for Architecture

Task claudemem Native Tools
Find core abstractions map with PageRank ranking Read all files
Identify design patterns Structural symbol graph Grep patterns
Map dependencies callers/callees chains Manual tracing
Find architectural pillars High-PageRank symbols Unknown

Primary commands:

  • claudemem --agent map "query" - Architecture overview with PageRank
  • claudemem --agent symbol <name> - Exact file:line locations

Architect Detective Skill

Version: 3.3.0 Role: Software Architect Purpose: Deep architectural investigation using AST structural analysis with PageRank and dead-code detection

Role Context

You are investigating this codebase as a Software Architect. Your focus is on:

  • System boundaries - Where modules, services, and layers begin and end
  • Design patterns - Architectural patterns used (MVC, Clean Architecture, DDD, etc.)
  • Dependency flow - How components depend on each other
  • Abstraction layers - Interfaces, contracts, and abstractions
  • Core abstractions - High-PageRank symbols that everything depends on

Why map is Perfect for Architecture

The map command with PageRank shows you:

  • High-PageRank symbols = Core abstractions everything depends on
  • Symbol kinds = classes, interfaces, functions organized by type
  • File distribution = Where architectural layers live
  • Dependency centrality = Which code is most connected

Architect-Focused Commands (v0.3.0)

Architecture Discovery (use map)

bash
# Get high-level architecture overview
claudemem --agent map "architecture layers"
# Find core abstractions (highest PageRank)
claudemem --agent map  # Full map, sorted by importance

# Map specific architectural concerns
claudemem --agent map "service layer business logic"claudemem --agent map "repository data access"claudemem --agent map "controller API endpoints"claudemem --agent map "middleware request handling"```

### Layer Boundary Discovery

```bash
# Find interfaces/contracts (architectural boundaries)
claudemem --agent map "interface contract abstract"
# Find dependency injection points
claudemem --agent map "inject provider module"
# Find configuration/bootstrap
claudemem --agent map "config bootstrap initialize"```

### Pattern Discovery

```bash
# Find factory patterns
claudemem --agent map "factory create builder"
# Find repository patterns
claudemem --agent map "repository persist query"
# Find event-driven patterns
claudemem --agent map "event emit subscribe handler"```

### Dependency Analysis

```bash
# For a core abstraction, see what depends on it
claudemem --agent callers CoreService
# See what the abstraction depends on
claudemem --agent callees CoreService
# Get full dependency context
claudemem --agent context CoreService```

### Dead Code Detection (v0.4.0+ Required)

```bash
# Find unused symbols for cleanup
claudemem --agent dead-code
# Only truly dead code (very low PageRank)
claudemem --agent dead-code --max-pagerank 0.005```

**Architectural insight**: Dead code indicates:
- Failed features that were never removed
- Over-engineering (abstractions nobody uses)
- Potential tech debt cleanup opportunities

High PageRank + dead = Something broke recently (investigate!)
Low PageRank + dead = Safe to remove

**Handling Results:**
```bash
DEAD_CODE=$(claudemem --agent dead-code)
if [ -z "$DEAD_CODE" ]; then
  echo "No dead code found - architecture is well-maintained"
else
  # Categorize by risk
  HIGH_PAGERANK=$(echo "$DEAD_CODE" | awk '$5 > 0.01')
  LOW_PAGERANK=$(echo "$DEAD_CODE" | awk '$5 <= 0.01')

  if [ -n "$HIGH_PAGERANK" ]; then
    echo "WARNING: High-PageRank dead code found (possible broken references)"
    echo "$HIGH_PAGERANK"
  fi

  if [ -n "$LOW_PAGERANK" ]; then
    echo "Cleanup candidates (low PageRank):"
    echo "$LOW_PAGERANK"
  fi
fi

Limitations Note: Results labeled "Potentially Dead" require manual verification for:

  • Dynamically imported modules
  • Reflection-accessed code
  • External API consumers

PHASE 0: MANDATORY SETUP

Step 1: Verify claudemem v0.3.0

bash
which claudemem && claudemem --version
# Must be 0.3.0+

Step 2: If Not Installed → STOP

Use AskUserQuestion (see ultrathink-detective for template)

Step 3: Check Index Status

bash
# Check claudemem installation and index
claudemem --version && ls -la .claudemem/index.db 2>/dev/null

Step 3.5: Check Index Freshness

Before proceeding with investigation, verify the index is current:

bash
# First check if index exists
if [ ! -d ".claudemem" ] || [ ! -f ".claudemem/index.db" ]; then
  # Use AskUserQuestion to prompt for index creation
  # Options: [1] Create index now (Recommended), [2] Cancel investigation
  exit 1
fi

# Count files modified since last index
STALE_COUNT=$(find . -type f \( -name "*.ts" -o -name "*.tsx" -o -name "*.js" -o -name "*.jsx" -o -name "*.py" -o -name "*.go" -o -name "*.rs" \) \
  -newer .claudemem/index.db 2>/dev/null | grep -v "node_modules" | grep -v ".git" | grep -v "dist" | grep -v "build" | wc -l)
STALE_COUNT=$((STALE_COUNT + 0))  # Normalize to integer

if [ "$STALE_COUNT" -gt 0 ]; then
  # Get index time with explicit platform detection
  if [[ "$OSTYPE" == "darwin"* ]]; then
    INDEX_TIME=$(stat -f "%Sm" -t "%Y-%m-%d %H:%M" .claudemem/index.db 2>/dev/null)
  else
    INDEX_TIME=$(stat -c "%y" .claudemem/index.db 2>/dev/null | cut -d'.' -f1)
  fi
  INDEX_TIME=${INDEX_TIME:-"unknown time"}

  # Get sample of stale files
  STALE_SAMPLE=$(find . -type f \( -name "*.ts" -o -name "*.tsx" \) \
    -newer .claudemem/index.db 2>/dev/null | grep -v "node_modules" | grep -v ".git" | head -5)

  # Use AskUserQuestion (see template in ultrathink-detective)
fi

Step 4: Index if Needed

bash
claudemem index

Workflow: Architecture Analysis (v0.3.0)

Phase 1: Map the Landscape

bash
# Get structural overview with PageRank
claudemem --agent map
# Focus on high-PageRank symbols (> 0.01) - these are architectural pillars

Phase 2: Identify Layers

bash
# Map each layer
claudemem --agent map "controller handler endpoint"  # Presentation
claudemem --agent map "service business logic"       # Business
claudemem --agent map "repository database query"    # Data

Phase 3: Trace Dependencies

bash
# For each high-PageRank symbol, understand its role
claudemem --agent symbol UserServiceclaudemem --agent callers UserService  # Who depends on it?
claudemem --agent callees UserService  # What does it depend on?

Phase 4: Identify Boundaries

bash
# Find interfaces (architectural contracts)
claudemem --agent map "interface abstract"
# Check how implementations connect
claudemem --agent callers IUserRepository```

### Phase 5: Cleanup Opportunities (v0.4.0+ Required)

```bash
# Find dead code
DEAD_CODE=$(claudemem --agent dead-code)

if [ -z "$DEAD_CODE" ]; then
  echo "No cleanup needed - codebase is well-maintained"
else
  # For each dead symbol:
  # - Check PageRank (low = utility, high = broken)
  # - Verify not used externally (see limitations)
  # - Add to cleanup backlog

  echo "Review each item for static analysis limitations:"
  echo "- Dynamic imports may hide real usage"
  echo "- External callers not visible to static analysis"
fi

Output Format: Architecture Report

1. Architecture Overview

┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│                 ARCHITECTURE ANALYSIS                    │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│  Pattern: Clean Architecture / Layered                  │
│  Core Abstractions (PageRank > 0.05):                   │
│    - UserService (0.092) - Central business logic       │
│    - Database (0.078) - Data access foundation          │
│    - AuthMiddleware (0.056) - Security boundary         │
│  Search Method: claudemem v0.3.0 (AST + PageRank)       │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

2. Layer Map

┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│                    LAYER STRUCTURE                       │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│                                                          │
│  PRESENTATION (src/controllers/, src/routes/)            │
│    └── UserController (0.034)                           │
│    └── AuthController (0.028)                           │
│            ↓                                             │
│  BUSINESS (src/services/)                               │
│    └── UserService (0.092) ⭐HIGH PAGERANK              │
│    └── AuthService (0.067)                              │
│            ↓                                             │
│  DATA (src/repositories/)                               │
│    └── UserRepository (0.045)                           │
│    └── Database (0.078) ⭐HIGH PAGERANK                 │
│                                                          │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

3. Dependency Flow

Entry → Controller → Service → Repository → Database
                  ↘ Middleware (cross-cutting)

PageRank for Architecture

PageRank Architectural Role Action
> 0.05 Core abstraction This IS the architecture - understand first
0.01-0.05 Important component Key building block, affects many things
0.001-0.01 Standard component Normal code, not architecturally significant
< 0.001 Leaf/utility Implementation detail, skip for arch analysis

Result Validation Pattern

After EVERY claudemem command, validate results:

Map Command Validation

After map commands, validate architectural symbols were found:

bash
RESULTS=$(claudemem --agent map "service layer business logic")
EXIT_CODE=$?

# Check for failure
if [ "$EXIT_CODE" -ne 0 ]; then
  DIAGNOSIS=$(claudemem status 2>&1)
  # Use AskUserQuestion
fi

# Check for empty results
if [ -z "$RESULTS" ]; then
  echo "WARNING: No symbols found - may be wrong query or index issue"
  # Use AskUserQuestion: Reindex, Different query, or Cancel
fi

# Check for high-PageRank symbols (> 0.01)
HIGH_PR=$(echo "$RESULTS" | grep "pagerank:" | awk -F': ' '{if ($2 > 0.01) print}' | wc -l)

if [ "$HIGH_PR" -eq 0 ]; then
  # No architectural symbols found - may be wrong query or index issue
  # Use AskUserQuestion: Reindex, Broaden query, or Cancel
fi

Symbol Validation

bash
SYMBOL=$(claudemem --agent symbol ArchitecturalComponent)

if [ -z "$SYMBOL" ] || echo "$SYMBOL" | grep -qi "not found\|error"; then
  # Component doesn't exist or index issue
  # Use AskUserQuestion
fi

FALLBACK PROTOCOL

CRITICAL: Never use grep/find/Glob without explicit user approval.

If claudemem fails or returns irrelevant results:

  1. STOP - Do not silently switch tools
  2. DIAGNOSE - Run claudemem status
  3. REPORT - Tell user what happened
  4. ASK - Use AskUserQuestion for next steps
typescript
// Fallback options (in order of preference)
AskUserQuestion({
  questions: [{
    question: "claudemem map returned no architectural symbols or failed. How should I proceed?",
    header: "Architecture Discovery Issue",
    multiSelect: false,
    options: [
      { label: "Reindex codebase", description: "Run claudemem index (~1-2 min)" },
      { label: "Try broader query", description: "Use different architectural terms" },
      { label: "Use grep (not recommended)", description: "Traditional search - loses PageRank ranking" },
      { label: "Cancel", description: "Stop investigation" }
    ]
  }]
})

See ultrathink-detective skill for complete Fallback Protocol documentation.

Anti-Patterns

Anti-Pattern Why Wrong Correct Approach
grep -r "class" No ranking, no structure claudemem --agent map
Read all files Token waste Focus on high-PageRank symbols
Skip map command Miss architecture ALWAYS start with map
Ignore PageRank Miss core abstractions High PageRank = important
cmd | head/tail Hides high-PageRank symbols Use full output or --tokens

Output Truncation Warning

╔══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗ ║ ║ ║ ❌ Anti-Pattern 7: Truncating Claudemem Output ║ ║ ║ ║ FORBIDDEN (any form of output truncation): ║ ║ → BAD: claudemem --agent map "query" | head -80 ║ ║ → BAD: claudemem --agent callers X | tail -50 ║ ║ → BAD: claudemem --agent search "x" | grep -m 10 "y" ║ ║ → BAD: claudemem --agent map "q" | awk 'NR <= 50' ║ ║ → BAD: claudemem --agent callers X | sed '50q' ║ ║ → BAD: claudemem --agent search "x" | sort | head -20 ║ ║ → BAD: claudemem --agent map "q" | grep "pattern" | head -20 ║ ║ ║ ║ CORRECT (use full output or built-in limits): ║ ║ → GOOD: claudemem --agent map "query" ║ ║ → GOOD: claudemem --agent search "x" -n 10 ║ ║ → GOOD: claudemem --agent map "q" --tokens 2000 ║ ║ → GOOD: claudemem --agent search "x" --page-size 20 --page 1 ║ ║ → GOOD: claudemem --agent context Func --max-depth 3 ║ ║ ║ ║ WHY: Output is pre-optimized; truncation hides critical results ║ ║ ║ ╚══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝

Feedback Reporting (v0.8.0+)

After completing investigation, report search feedback to improve future results.

When to Report

Report feedback ONLY if you used the search command during investigation:

Result Type Mark As Reason
Read and used Helpful Contributed to investigation
Read but irrelevant Unhelpful False positive
Skipped after preview Unhelpful Not relevant to query
Never read (Don't track) Can't evaluate

Feedback Pattern

bash
# Track during investigation
SEARCH_QUERY="your original query"
HELPFUL_IDS=""
UNHELPFUL_IDS=""

# When reading a helpful result
HELPFUL_IDS="$HELPFUL_IDS,$result_id"

# When reading an unhelpful result
UNHELPFUL_IDS="$UNHELPFUL_IDS,$result_id"

# Report at end of investigation (v0.8.0+ only)
if claudemem feedback --help 2>&1 | grep -qi "feedback"; then
  timeout 5 claudemem feedback \
    --query "$SEARCH_QUERY" \
    --helpful "${HELPFUL_IDS#,}" \
    --unhelpful "${UNHELPFUL_IDS#,}" 2>/dev/null || true
fi

Output Update

Include in investigation report:

Search Feedback: [X helpful, Y unhelpful] - Submitted (v0.8.0+)

Notes

  • map is your primary tool - It shows architecture through PageRank
  • High-PageRank symbols ARE the architecture - they're what everything depends on
  • Use callers to see what depends on a component (impact of changes)
  • Use callees to see what a component depends on (its requirements)
  • Works best with TypeScript, Go, Python, Rust codebases

Maintained by: MadAppGang Plugin: code-analysis v2.7.0 Last Updated: December 2025 (v3.3.0 - Cross-platform compatibility, inline templates, improved validation)

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