# Acquire Codebase Knowledge (agent skill)

> Acquire Codebase Knowledge is an agent skill (a SKILL.md file) from github/awesome-copilot. Agents load it when the user explicitly asks to map, document, or onboard into an existing codebase. It works with Claude Code and GitHub Copilot and has 40,416 GitHub stars across a repository of 7 listed skills.

Use this skill when the user explicitly asks to map, document, or onboard into an existing codebase. Trigger for prompts like "map this codebase", "document this architecture", "onboard me to this repo", or "create codebase docs". Do not trigger for routine feature implementation, bug fixes, or narrow code edits unless the user asks for repository-level discovery. Produces seven populated documents in docs/codebase/ covering everything needed to work effectively on the project.

## Key facts

| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Repository | https://github.com/github/awesome-copilot |
| Skill path | skills/acquire-codebase-knowledge/SKILL.md |
| Skill name | acquire-codebase-knowledge |
| GitHub stars | 40,416 |
| Installs on skills.sh | not listed |
| License | MIT |
| Skills in repo | 7 |
| Plugin marketplace | no |
| Official | yes |
| Works with | Claude Code, GitHub Copilot |
| Category | Coding |
| Last commit | Oct 26, 2026 |

## When it triggers

- Use this skill when the user explicitly asks to map, document, or onboard into an existing codebase.
- Trigger for prompts like "map this codebase", "document this architecture", "onboard me to this repo", or "create codebase docs".
- trigger for routine feature implementation, bug fixes, or narrow code edits unless the user asks for repository-level discovery.
- "map this codebase"
- "document this architecture"
- "onboard me to this repo"
- "create codebase docs"

## Add this skill

### Claude Code

```sh
git clone --depth 1 https://github.com/github/awesome-copilot.git
cp -r awesome-copilot/skills/acquire-codebase-knowledge ~/.claude/skills/acquire-codebase-knowledge   # personal, or .claude/skills in a project
```

In the Claude apps, zip the skill folder and upload it under Customize > Skills > + > Upload a skill (code execution must be on).

### ChatGPT / Codex

```sh
git clone --depth 1 https://github.com/github/awesome-copilot.git
cp -r awesome-copilot/skills/acquire-codebase-knowledge .agents/skills/acquire-codebase-knowledge   # repo; ~/.agents/skills for all projects
```

### Cursor

```sh
git clone --depth 1 https://github.com/github/awesome-copilot.git
cp -r awesome-copilot/skills/acquire-codebase-knowledge .cursor/skills/acquire-codebase-knowledge   # project; ~/.cursor/skills for all projects
```

Sources (checked 2026-10-07): https://code.claude.com/docs/en/skills, https://support.claude.com/en/articles/12512180-using-skills-in-claude, https://learn.chatgpt.com/docs/build-skills, https://cursor.com/docs/context/skills

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Canonical page: https://appsgit.com/skills/github-acquire-codebase-knowledge
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