architect-detective

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⚡ PRIMARY TOOL for: 'what's the architecture', 'system design', 'how are layers organized', 'find design patterns', 'audit structure', 'map dependencies'. Uses claudemem v0.3.0 AST structural analysis with PageRank. GREP/FIND/GLOB ARE FORBIDDEN.

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When & Why to Use This Skill

The Architect Detective skill is a specialized tool for deep software architecture investigation and system design analysis. By leveraging claudemem v0.3.0 AST (Abstract Syntax Tree) structural analysis and PageRank algorithms, it identifies core architectural pillars, maps complex dependency flows, and uncovers design patterns without relying on traditional text-based search. It provides developers and architects with a high-level overview of system boundaries, abstraction layers, and potential technical debt through advanced dead-code detection.

Use Cases

  • Onboarding to a new project: Quickly visualize the high-level system architecture and identify the most critical classes and interfaces using PageRank importance scores.
  • Refactoring and Layering: Map out dependencies between different layers (e.g., Presentation, Business, Data) to ensure a clean separation of concerns and identify architectural violations.
  • Technical Debt Audit: Detect and analyze 'dead code' or unused abstractions to identify cleanup opportunities and reduce codebase complexity.
  • Design Pattern Discovery: Automatically locate and audit the implementation of architectural patterns such as MVC, Clean Architecture, DDD, or Event-driven systems.
  • Impact Analysis: Trace dependency flows using 'callers' and 'callees' commands to understand the ripple effects of modifying core system abstractions.
namearchitect-detective
description"⚡ PRIMARY TOOL for: 'what's the architecture', 'system design', 'how are layers organized', 'find design patterns', 'audit structure', 'map dependencies'. Uses claudemem v0.3.0 AST structural analysis with PageRank. GREP/FIND/GLOB ARE FORBIDDEN."
allowed-toolsBash, Task, Read, AskUserQuestion

⛔⛔⛔ CRITICAL: AST STRUCTURAL ANALYSIS ONLY ⛔⛔⛔

╔══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗
║                                                                              ║
║   🧠 THIS SKILL USES claudemem v0.3.0 AST ANALYSIS EXCLUSIVELY               ║
║                                                                              ║
║   ❌ GREP IS FORBIDDEN                                                       ║
║   ❌ FIND IS FORBIDDEN                                                       ║
║   ❌ GLOB IS FORBIDDEN                                                       ║
║                                                                              ║
║   ✅ claudemem --nologo map "query" --raw IS THE PRIMARY COMMAND             ║
║   ✅ claudemem --nologo symbol <name> --raw FOR EXACT LOCATIONS              ║
║                                                                              ║
║   ⭐ v0.3.0: PageRank shows which symbols are architectural pillars         ║
║                                                                              ║
╚══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝

Architect Detective Skill

Version: 3.3.0 Role: Software Architect Purpose: Deep architectural investigation using AST structural analysis with PageRank and dead-code detection

Role Context

You are investigating this codebase as a Software Architect. Your focus is on:

  • System boundaries - Where modules, services, and layers begin and end
  • Design patterns - Architectural patterns used (MVC, Clean Architecture, DDD, etc.)
  • Dependency flow - How components depend on each other
  • Abstraction layers - Interfaces, contracts, and abstractions
  • Core abstractions - High-PageRank symbols that everything depends on

Why map is Perfect for Architecture

The map command with PageRank shows you:

  • High-PageRank symbols = Core abstractions everything depends on
  • Symbol kinds = classes, interfaces, functions organized by type
  • File distribution = Where architectural layers live
  • Dependency centrality = Which code is most connected

Architect-Focused Commands (v0.3.0)

Architecture Discovery (use map)

# Get high-level architecture overview
claudemem --nologo map "architecture layers" --raw

# Find core abstractions (highest PageRank)
claudemem --nologo map --raw  # Full map, sorted by importance

# Map specific architectural concerns
claudemem --nologo map "service layer business logic" --raw
claudemem --nologo map "repository data access" --raw
claudemem --nologo map "controller API endpoints" --raw
claudemem --nologo map "middleware request handling" --raw

Layer Boundary Discovery

# Find interfaces/contracts (architectural boundaries)
claudemem --nologo map "interface contract abstract" --raw

# Find dependency injection points
claudemem --nologo map "inject provider module" --raw

# Find configuration/bootstrap
claudemem --nologo map "config bootstrap initialize" --raw

Pattern Discovery

# Find factory patterns
claudemem --nologo map "factory create builder" --raw

# Find repository patterns
claudemem --nologo map "repository persist query" --raw

# Find event-driven patterns
claudemem --nologo map "event emit subscribe handler" --raw

Dependency Analysis

# For a core abstraction, see what depends on it
claudemem --nologo callers CoreService --raw

# See what the abstraction depends on
claudemem --nologo callees CoreService --raw

# Get full dependency context
claudemem --nologo context CoreService --raw

Dead Code Detection (v0.4.0+ Required)

# Find unused symbols for cleanup
claudemem --nologo dead-code --raw

# Only truly dead code (very low PageRank)
claudemem --nologo dead-code --max-pagerank 0.005 --raw

Architectural insight: Dead code indicates:

  • Failed features that were never removed
  • Over-engineering (abstractions nobody uses)
  • Potential tech debt cleanup opportunities

High PageRank + dead = Something broke recently (investigate!) Low PageRank + dead = Safe to remove

Handling Results:

DEAD_CODE=$(claudemem --nologo dead-code --raw)
if [ -z "$DEAD_CODE" ]; then
  echo "No dead code found - architecture is well-maintained"
else
  # Categorize by risk
  HIGH_PAGERANK=$(echo "$DEAD_CODE" | awk '$5 > 0.01')
  LOW_PAGERANK=$(echo "$DEAD_CODE" | awk '$5 <= 0.01')

  if [ -n "$HIGH_PAGERANK" ]; then
    echo "WARNING: High-PageRank dead code found (possible broken references)"
    echo "$HIGH_PAGERANK"
  fi

  if [ -n "$LOW_PAGERANK" ]; then
    echo "Cleanup candidates (low PageRank):"
    echo "$LOW_PAGERANK"
  fi
fi

Limitations Note: Results labeled "Potentially Dead" require manual verification for:

  • Dynamically imported modules
  • Reflection-accessed code
  • External API consumers

PHASE 0: MANDATORY SETUP

Step 1: Verify claudemem v0.3.0

which claudemem && claudemem --version
# Must be 0.3.0+

Step 2: If Not Installed → STOP

Use AskUserQuestion (see ultrathink-detective for template)

Step 3: Check Index Status

# Check claudemem installation and index
claudemem --version && ls -la .claudemem/index.db 2>/dev/null

Step 3.5: Check Index Freshness

Before proceeding with investigation, verify the index is current:

# First check if index exists
if [ ! -d ".claudemem" ] || [ ! -f ".claudemem/index.db" ]; then
  # Use AskUserQuestion to prompt for index creation
  # Options: [1] Create index now (Recommended), [2] Cancel investigation
  exit 1
fi

# Count files modified since last index
STALE_COUNT=$(find . -type f \( -name "*.ts" -o -name "*.tsx" -o -name "*.js" -o -name "*.jsx" -o -name "*.py" -o -name "*.go" -o -name "*.rs" \) \
  -newer .claudemem/index.db 2>/dev/null | grep -v "node_modules" | grep -v ".git" | grep -v "dist" | grep -v "build" | wc -l)
STALE_COUNT=$((STALE_COUNT + 0))  # Normalize to integer

if [ "$STALE_COUNT" -gt 0 ]; then
  # Get index time with explicit platform detection
  if [[ "$OSTYPE" == "darwin"* ]]; then
    INDEX_TIME=$(stat -f "%Sm" -t "%Y-%m-%d %H:%M" .claudemem/index.db 2>/dev/null)
  else
    INDEX_TIME=$(stat -c "%y" .claudemem/index.db 2>/dev/null | cut -d'.' -f1)
  fi
  INDEX_TIME=${INDEX_TIME:-"unknown time"}

  # Get sample of stale files
  STALE_SAMPLE=$(find . -type f \( -name "*.ts" -o -name "*.tsx" \) \
    -newer .claudemem/index.db 2>/dev/null | grep -v "node_modules" | grep -v ".git" | head -5)

  # Use AskUserQuestion (see template in ultrathink-detective)
fi

Step 4: Index if Needed

claudemem index

Workflow: Architecture Analysis (v0.3.0)

Phase 1: Map the Landscape

# Get structural overview with PageRank
claudemem --nologo map --raw

# Focus on high-PageRank symbols (> 0.01) - these are architectural pillars

Phase 2: Identify Layers

# Map each layer
claudemem --nologo map "controller handler endpoint" --raw  # Presentation
claudemem --nologo map "service business logic" --raw       # Business
claudemem --nologo map "repository database query" --raw    # Data

Phase 3: Trace Dependencies

# For each high-PageRank symbol, understand its role
claudemem --nologo symbol UserService --raw
claudemem --nologo callers UserService --raw  # Who depends on it?
claudemem --nologo callees UserService --raw  # What does it depend on?

Phase 4: Identify Boundaries

# Find interfaces (architectural contracts)
claudemem --nologo map "interface abstract" --raw

# Check how implementations connect
claudemem --nologo callers IUserRepository --raw

Phase 5: Cleanup Opportunities (v0.4.0+ Required)

# Find dead code
DEAD_CODE=$(claudemem --nologo dead-code --raw)

if [ -z "$DEAD_CODE" ]; then
  echo "No cleanup needed - codebase is well-maintained"
else
  # For each dead symbol:
  # - Check PageRank (low = utility, high = broken)
  # - Verify not used externally (see limitations)
  # - Add to cleanup backlog

  echo "Review each item for static analysis limitations:"
  echo "- Dynamic imports may hide real usage"
  echo "- External callers not visible to static analysis"
fi

Output Format: Architecture Report

1. Architecture Overview

┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│                 ARCHITECTURE ANALYSIS                    │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│  Pattern: Clean Architecture / Layered                  │
│  Core Abstractions (PageRank > 0.05):                   │
│    - UserService (0.092) - Central business logic       │
│    - Database (0.078) - Data access foundation          │
│    - AuthMiddleware (0.056) - Security boundary         │
│  Search Method: claudemem v0.3.0 (AST + PageRank)       │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

2. Layer Map

┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│                    LAYER STRUCTURE                       │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│                                                          │
│  PRESENTATION (src/controllers/, src/routes/)            │
│    └── UserController (0.034)                           │
│    └── AuthController (0.028)                           │
│            ↓                                             │
│  BUSINESS (src/services/)                               │
│    └── UserService (0.092) ⭐HIGH PAGERANK              │
│    └── AuthService (0.067)                              │
│            ↓                                             │
│  DATA (src/repositories/)                               │
│    └── UserRepository (0.045)                           │
│    └── Database (0.078) ⭐HIGH PAGERANK                 │
│                                                          │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

3. Dependency Flow

Entry → Controller → Service → Repository → Database
                  ↘ Middleware (cross-cutting)

PageRank for Architecture

PageRank Architectural Role Action
> 0.05 Core abstraction This IS the architecture - understand first
0.01-0.05 Important component Key building block, affects many things
0.001-0.01 Standard component Normal code, not architecturally significant
< 0.001 Leaf/utility Implementation detail, skip for arch analysis

Result Validation Pattern

After EVERY claudemem command, validate results:

Map Command Validation

After map commands, validate architectural symbols were found:

RESULTS=$(claudemem --nologo map "service layer business logic" --raw)
EXIT_CODE=$?

# Check for failure
if [ "$EXIT_CODE" -ne 0 ]; then
  DIAGNOSIS=$(claudemem status 2>&1)
  # Use AskUserQuestion
fi

# Check for empty results
if [ -z "$RESULTS" ]; then
  echo "WARNING: No symbols found - may be wrong query or index issue"
  # Use AskUserQuestion: Reindex, Different query, or Cancel
fi

# Check for high-PageRank symbols (> 0.01)
HIGH_PR=$(echo "$RESULTS" | grep "pagerank:" | awk -F': ' '{if ($2 > 0.01) print}' | wc -l)

if [ "$HIGH_PR" -eq 0 ]; then
  # No architectural symbols found - may be wrong query or index issue
  # Use AskUserQuestion: Reindex, Broaden query, or Cancel
fi

Symbol Validation

SYMBOL=$(claudemem --nologo symbol ArchitecturalComponent --raw)

if [ -z "$SYMBOL" ] || echo "$SYMBOL" | grep -qi "not found\|error"; then
  # Component doesn't exist or index issue
  # Use AskUserQuestion
fi

FALLBACK PROTOCOL

CRITICAL: Never use grep/find/Glob without explicit user approval.

If claudemem fails or returns irrelevant results:

  1. STOP - Do not silently switch tools
  2. DIAGNOSE - Run claudemem status
  3. REPORT - Tell user what happened
  4. ASK - Use AskUserQuestion for next steps
// Fallback options (in order of preference)
AskUserQuestion({
  questions: [{
    question: "claudemem map returned no architectural symbols or failed. How should I proceed?",
    header: "Architecture Discovery Issue",
    multiSelect: false,
    options: [
      { label: "Reindex codebase", description: "Run claudemem index (~1-2 min)" },
      { label: "Try broader query", description: "Use different architectural terms" },
      { label: "Use grep (not recommended)", description: "Traditional search - loses PageRank ranking" },
      { label: "Cancel", description: "Stop investigation" }
    ]
  }]
})

See ultrathink-detective skill for complete Fallback Protocol documentation.


Anti-Patterns

Anti-Pattern Why Wrong Correct Approach
grep -r "class" No ranking, no structure claudemem --nologo map --raw
Read all files Token waste Focus on high-PageRank symbols
Skip map command Miss architecture ALWAYS start with map
Ignore PageRank Miss core abstractions High PageRank = important

Notes

  • map is your primary tool - It shows architecture through PageRank
  • High-PageRank symbols ARE the architecture - they're what everything depends on
  • Use callers to see what depends on a component (impact of changes)
  • Use callees to see what a component depends on (its requirements)
  • Works best with TypeScript, Go, Python, Rust codebases

Maintained by: MadAppGang Plugin: code-analysis v2.7.0 Last Updated: December 2025 (v3.3.0 - Cross-platform compatibility, inline templates, improved validation)