Map an unfamiliar codebase before changing it
Have Claude Code read the repository and explain how it actually fits together.
What this prompt helps you do
A map of the architecture, entry points, conventions, and the areas a change would touch.
When to use it
You have inherited a codebase and need orientation before making any commitment about effort.
What to prepare
The goal, relevant source material, constraints, examples, and the decision or action this should support.
How to get a strong result
Require citations to real files; an architecture description with no file references was inferred, not read.
How to use this prompt
Replace each placeholder with accurate context. Paste the complete prompt into Claude, review the response critically, resolve important questions, and use it as a considered input to the next decision—not as an unchecked final answer.