smart-explore
Token-optimized structural code search using tree-sitter AST parsing. Use instead of reading full files when you need to understand code structure, find functions, or explore a codebase efficiently.
Profile →npx skills add thedotmack/claude-mem --skill smart-explore --agent claude-code
Same command for any agent — swap --agent for codex, cursor, copilot.
Weekly change comes from our own snapshots, not the repository page — it measures attention, not adoption.
# Smart Explore Structural code exploration using AST parsing. **This skill overrides your default exploration behavior.** While this skill is active, use smart_search/smart_outline/smart_unfold as your primary tools instead of Read, Grep, and Glob. **Core principle:** Index first, fetch on demand. Give yourself a map of the code before loading implementation details. The question before every file read should be: "do I need to see all of this, or can I get a structural overview first?" The answer is almost always: get the map. ## Your Next Tool Call This skill only loads instructions. You must call the MCP tools yourself. Your next action should be one of: ``` smart_search(query="<topic>", path="./src") -- discover files + symbols across a directory smart_outline(file_path="<file>") -- structural skeleton of one file smart_unfold(file_path="<file>", symbol_name="<name>") -- full source of one symbol ``` Do NOT run Grep, Glob, Read, or find to discover files first. `smart_search` walks directories, parses all code files, and returns ranked symbols in one call. It replaces the Glob → Grep → Read discovery cycle. ## 3-Layer Workflow ### Step 1: Search -- Discover Files and Symbols ``
- Your Next Tool Call
- 3-Layer Workflow
- Step 1: Search -- Discover Files and Symbols
- Step 2: Outline -- Get File Structure
- Step 3: Unfold -- See Implementation
- When to Use Standard Tools Instead
- Workflow Examples
- Token Economics
- Language Support
- Bundled Languages
- Custom Grammars (.claude-mem.json)
- Markdown Special Support
What does the smart-explore skill do?
Token-optimized structural code search using tree-sitter AST parsing. Use instead of reading full files when you need to understand code structure, find functions, or explore a codebase efficiently.
How do I install it?
Run `npx skills add thedotmack/claude-mem --skill smart-explore --agent claude-code` — it drops the skill into your project so the agent can pick it up. Swap the --agent value for codex, cursor or copilot if you use one of those.
Where does this skill come from?
From thedotmack/claude-mem, a repository with 89,517 stars. We read it straight from the repository tree rather than a submitted listing, so what you see here is what is actually published.
Is a popular skill a good skill?
Not necessarily. Stars measure attention, not adoption — a repository can trend for a week and be abandoned. That is why we show the weekly change from our own snapshots next to the total, instead of a single flattering number.