Importing A Codebase
Importing A Codebase is an agent skill (a SKILL.md file) from JetBrains/thinkrail. Agents load it when asked to create the initial spec graph for an existing codebase that has source code but no specs. It works with Claude Code and has 2,126 GitHub stars.
Data as of from the GitHub API; description from the skill's SKILL.md. Report an error
Add this skill
Claude
Claude Code loads skills from ~/.claude/skills/ (all projects) or .claude/skills/ (one project):
git clone --depth 1 https://github.com/JetBrains/thinkrail.git
cp -r thinkrail/packages/pi-thinkrail-workflow/skills/importing-a-codebase ~/.claude/skills/importing-a-codebase # personal, or .claude/skills in a projectIn the Claude apps, zip the importing-a-codebase folder and upload it under Customize > Skills > + > Upload a skill (code execution must be on).
ChatGPT / Codex
Codex reads skills from .agents/skills/ in a repo or ~/.agents/skills/ for every project:
git clone --depth 1 https://github.com/JetBrains/thinkrail.git
cp -r thinkrail/packages/pi-thinkrail-workflow/skills/importing-a-codebase .agents/skills/importing-a-codebase # repo; ~/.agents/skills for all projectsStandalone skills also load in the ChatGPT desktop app.
Cursor
Cursor loads skills from .cursor/skills/ (or ~/.cursor/skills/) and also reads .claude/skills/:
git clone --depth 1 https://github.com/JetBrains/thinkrail.git
cp -r thinkrail/packages/pi-thinkrail-workflow/skills/importing-a-codebase .cursor/skills/importing-a-codebase # project; ~/.cursor/skills for all projectsSource (checked Oct 7, 2026): code.claude.com/docs/en/skills (opens in a new tab), support.claude.com/en/articles/12512180-using-skills-in-claude (opens in a new tab), learn.chatgpt.com/docs/build-skills (opens in a new tab), cursor.com/docs/context/skills (opens in a new tab)
What this skill does
Use when asked to create the initial spec graph for an existing codebase that has source code but no specs. Normally reached via setting-up-a-project. The workspace holds real code but no specs. Reverse-engineer the spec graph the project should have had. When the repo already carries real spec-like documents, build the graph around them, not parallel to them. Do as much as possible yourself, from the files; ask the user only where the code genuinely can't tell you and the answer changes a spec.
When it triggers
- Use when asked to create the initial spec graph for an existing codebase that has source code but no specs.
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How do I install the Importing A Codebase skill?
Copy the importing-a-codebase folder (the one containing SKILL.md) into ~/.claude/skills/ for Claude Code, .agents/skills/ for Codex or .cursor/skills/ for Cursor. The agent picks it up automatically when a task matches its description.
Is the Importing A Codebase skill free?
Yes. The repository is open source under the Apache-2.0 license.
Is Importing A Codebase maintained?
The repository's most recent commit was on Oct 25, 2026. Its latest release is v0.2.0. appsgit only lists skills from repositories with a commit in the last six months.