name: repo-onboarding
description: Onboard quickly into the mcpforge codebase. Use this skill when working in /Users/d/Projects/mcpforge to understand the product shape, core architecture, validation flow, and safest places to change code before making edits.
effort: low
repo-onboarding
<!-- beginner-glance:start -->
Beginner At A Glance
- What this skill does: Gives a fast mental model of how
mcpforge is laid out and where to look first. - Use this when: Use when starting work in
mcpforge, especially before changing generation, validation, or CLI behavior. - Say it naturally: "Onboard me to mcpforge" | "How is mcpforge structured?" | "Where should I edit this in mcpforge?"
<!-- beginner-glance:end -->
PM Output Style
- Use the big-picture PM update format by default: Project, Goal, Headline, State, Impact, Why it matters, What you need from me, Blockers.
- Keep language beginner-friendly and avoid technical receipts unless explicitly requested.
Skill Contract v2
use_when:
- The current workspace is
/Users/d/Projects/mcpforge. - The user asks for onboarding, architecture, safe edit targets, or a quick mental model before changes.
- A request touches generation, validation, CLI behavior, MCP server output, or tests and repo context would reduce risk.
dont_use_when:
- The task is a tiny isolated edit where repo structure is already obvious from the touched file.
trigger_phrases:
- onboard me to mcpforge; explain this repo; where should I change this; how is mcpforge organized
anti_triggers:
expected_inputs:
- User goal, touched area if known, and current repo state.
expected_outputs:
- Short repo map, likely edit points, validation path, and top risks.
success_criteria:
- A collaborator can start editing the right files with a clear understanding of how to verify the change.
companion_skills:
- mcp-debugger,promptfoo-eval-loop,quality-gatekeeper
risk_class: low
default_chain_role: primary
Repo Map
README.md: product promise, CLI surface, and supported workflows.pyproject.toml: package metadata, dependencies, scripts, and test/lint defaults.src/: primary implementation. Start here for CLI, planning, generation, validation, and MCP server code.tests/: regression surface. Prefer adding or updating tests when behavior changes.examples/: useful for understanding generated output and intended use patterns.HANDOFF.md and IMPLEMENTATION-ROADMAP.md: good context when the task is roadmap-shaped rather than purely local.
Working Heuristics
- Start from the user-facing command or behavior, then trace inward to the implementation under
src/. - Treat the pipeline as three linked surfaces: plan -> generate -> validate. Changes in one stage often affect the others.
- Keep generated output quality and validation behavior aligned. If you change generation assumptions, check whether tests, lint, or self-heal expectations also need to move.
- Preserve the repo's promise of "production-ready MCP servers from a sentence." That usually means avoiding changes that make the happy path more complex unless the gain is clear.
First Places To Look
- CLI or flags changed: look for the CLI entrypoint and command wiring under
src/. - Output project shape changed: inspect generation templates or code emitters under
src/. - Validation or self-heal changed: inspect validation pipeline code and related tests first.
- MCP-facing behavior changed: inspect the generated server examples plus tests to verify the external contract still makes sense.
Verification Pattern
- Run the smallest targeted test that proves the edited behavior.
- If generation output changes, run the relevant validation path too, not just unit tests.
- Prefer checking one representative end-to-end command before declaring success.
- Call out any limits clearly if the task depends on external model keys or networked APIs.