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Understand & onboard to a new codebase

Understand & onboard to a new codebase

Tags: Onboarding | Code understanding | Architecture | Knowledge transfer

1. Purpose​

Use this workflow when joining a project or working in an unfamiliar repository. CodeVista maps the project structure, identifies important modules and entry points, traces a representative flow, and recommends what to read first.

2. Before You Begin​

  • Open the target repository in the IDE and make the required folders accessible.
  • Choose whether to analyze the entire repository or one module or feature.
  • Include README files and Workspace Rules when available.

3. Starter Prompt​

Help me understand this codebase as a new developer. 
 
Scope: [Entire repository, module, or feature] 
Goal: [Architecture, business flow, or specific feature] 
 
Provide: 
1. Project purpose and detected tech stack 
2. Key modules and their responsibilities 
3. Main entry points 
4. How the main components interact 
5. One end to end execution or business flow 
6. External services, databases, and important dependencies 
7. A recommended reading order for a new contributor 
 
For each technical statement, cite the relevant file path and symbol. 
State assumptions and missing information clearly. 
Do not modify any files.

4. How to Use​

  1. Open the repository and define the scope you want to understand.
  2. Run the Starter Prompt from CodeVista.
  3. Review the cited files, entry points, and module responsibilities.
  4. Open the recommended files in the proposed reading order.
  5. Ask narrower follow-up questions about a module, symbol, or business flow.

5. Expected Result​

  • Repository overview: A concise explanation of the project's purpose, technology stack, and structure.
  • Architecture map: Key modules, entry points, dependencies, and interactions are identified.
  • Traceable evidence: Technical statements point to relevant file paths and symbols.
  • Reading plan: Important files are ordered for a new contributor, with a reason for each choice.

Understand a new codebase demonstration

6. Tips​

  • Start with broad questions, then narrow the discussion to one feature or flow.
  • Ask for file paths and symbols so every conclusion can be checked in the repository.
  • Trace one user action from entry point to data store to validate the architecture summary.