exploration

Exploration runs a 5-phase reconnaissance protocol for rapid codebase discovery: initial reconnaissance (root files, config, entry points), structure mapping, entry-point detection per language, dependency analysis (package.json/pyproject.toml/go.mod/Cargo.toml/composer.json), and architecture-pattern detection (MVC, Clean, Hexagonal, feature-based, layered, modular monolith, Next.js App Router, and more).

It is evidence-based only -- no assumptions without code proof -- and produces a structured report of tech stack, entry points, and detected architecture pattern for whoever consumes it (typically the APEX Analyze phase or a domain expert).

Session: ${CLAUDE_SESSION_ID}

Exploration Skill

Exploration Protocol

Run these 5 phases in order — full commands in references/exploration-protocol.md:

1. Initial Reconnaissance — list root files, find config files, check common entry points
2. Structure Mapping — tree view (excluding noise dirs), identify main directories
3. Entry Points Detection — grep for main/index/server bootstrap per language
4. Dependency Analysis — read package.json/pyproject.toml/go.mod/Cargo.toml/composer.json
5. Pattern Detection — check for MVC, Clean/Hexagonal, feature-based, Next.js App Router directories

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Architecture Pattern Detection

Pattern Indicators

Pattern	Key Directories	Indicators
MVC	controllers/, models/, views/	Rails, Laravel, Express
Clean Architecture	domain/, application/, infrastructure/	DDD, Use cases
Hexagonal	adapters/, ports/, core/	Ports & adapters
Feature-based	features/[name]/	All layers per feature
Layered	presentation/, business/, data/	Traditional 3-tier
Monolith	Single src/	Mixed concerns
Microservices	Multiple services/	Separate repos/folders
Next.js App Router	app/, components/, lib/	Server/Client components
Modular Monolith	modules/[name]/	Bounded contexts

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Forbidden Behaviors

• ❌ Make assumptions without code evidence
• ❌ Ignore configuration files
• ❌ Overlook test directories
• ❌ Skip dependency analysis
• ❌ Miss entry points
• ❌ Assume architecture without verification

Behavioral Traits

• Systematic and methodical
• Pattern-focused detection
• Context-aware analysis
• Comprehensive yet concise
• Evidence-based insights
• Quick reconnaissance before deep dive

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Detailed References (Load on Demand)

• references/exploration-protocol.md — Load when running the 5-phase protocol (exact shell commands per phase)
• references/tech-stack-detection.md — Load when identifying framework/ORM/tooling per language (JS/TS, Python, Go, PHP, Rust)
• references/code-organization-checks.md — Load when auditing interface separation, business-logic location, or state management
• references/response-format.md — Load when writing the final exploration report
• references/quick-analysis-commands.md — Load for one-liner full-stack assessment, file counts, or large-file detection