🔍 Top Down Learning
This skill helps you understand a codebase through structured exploration and adaptive guidance, documenting architecture and modules in a learning directory.
npx playbooks add skill ctdio/dotfiles --skill top-down-learning
About Top Down Learning
The Top Down Learning skill is used for understanding a codebase through a methodical approach, providing adaptive guidance to help developers comprehend the code's architecture and modules. It enables the creation of a learning directory where documentation of the code's structure is stored. Developers would use this skill when they need to familiarize themselves with an unfamiliar codebase, requiring a structured and guided exploration of the code's components and organization.
At 21 words, this compact prompt gives your agent specialized code review & quality expertise with structured patterns and output formats. Install via CLI or copy the prompt below.
Use Cases
- Catching bugs and security vulnerabilities before merge
- Enforcing code style and architectural consistency
- Reviewing PRs for performance and maintainability
- Generating detailed code review comments
Example Prompts
System Prompt (21 words)
This skill helps you understand a codebase through structured exploration and adaptive guidance, documenting architecture and modules in a learning directory.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Top Down Learning?
Top Down Learning is a free code review & quality skill for AI coding agents. This skill helps you understand a codebase through structured exploration and adaptive guidance, documenting architecture and modules in a learning directory.. It provides a specialized system prompt that configures your agent with code review & quality expertise.
How do I use Top Down Learning with Claude Code?
Run npx playbooks add skill ctdio/dotfiles --skill top-down-learning in your terminal to install Top Down Learning into your Claude Code session. It works immediately after installation.
Which AI coding agents work with Top Down Learning?
Top Down Learning is compatible with Claude Code, Cursor, GitHub Copilot, Windsurf, OpenClaw, Cline, and any AI agent that supports custom system prompts or .cursorrules files.
Is Top Down Learning free to use?
Yes, Top Down Learning is completely free and open source. The full source is available on GitHub at https://github.com/ctdio/dotfiles/tree/main/agents/skills/top-down-learning. You only need a subscription to the AI agent you use it with.
