codebase-setup is an Agent Skill that sets up a clean, runnable baseline for new or existing repositories: runnable source code, linting and formatting, automated tests, CI workflows, container configuration, standard documentation, and agent instructions.
It computes changes by comparing the repository's current state against the target configuration:
Target Baseline = Archetype × Stack × Depth × Modules
Current State = evidence from repository + runtime environment
Gap = Target − Current
Setup = ordered, consented closure of Gap
The skill inspects existing manifests, PRDs, and chat context to generate a setup plan, then applies only the changes needed to close the gap.
- Three operating modes:
scaffoldfor new directories,hardenfor existing repositories, andaudit-onlyfor non-modifying reviews. - Detects the project archetype (application, service, CLI, library, monorepo, or skill package) and selects appropriate tooling.
- Verifies tool commands and options against official documentation or
--helpoutput rather than relying on static assumptions. - Pauses for approval before installing toolchains, global utilities, or package dependencies, and before writing initial source code.
- Merges configurations and respects existing project conventions instead of overwriting custom files without permission.
- Previews
AGENTS.mdand Google Stitch compliantDESIGN.mdbefore creating them. - Provides standard templates for licenses, contributing guidelines, and security policies.
- Validates every setup step with actual exit codes, isolating new issues from pre-existing repository errors.
| Mode | When to use | Behavior |
|---|---|---|
scaffold |
Target directory is empty or starting a new project | Runs official scaffolding tools with user approval |
harden |
Repository already contains code or manifests | Adds missing tooling, tests, CI, and docs without overwriting source code |
audit-only |
Assessing gaps or running a repository check | Inspects the workspace without writing files or installing packages |
| Axis | Supported values |
|---|---|
| Archetype | application, service/API, library/CLI, monorepo, skill package, docs/content, generic |
| Stack | JavaScript/TypeScript, Python, Go, other ecosystems, generic |
| Depth | minimal, standard (default), strict |
| Modules | structure, quality, tests, delivery, docs, community, design, agent context |
Toolchains are discovered at runtime. The skill checks the repository, validates flags against local commands or official documentation, and logs exact references in the final setup report.
Claude Code:
/plugin marketplace add dexter826/codebase-setup
/plugin install codebase-setup@codebase-setup
Codex:
codex plugin marketplace add dexter826/codebase-setup
codex plugin add codebase-setup@codebase-setupAntigravity:
agy plugin install https://github.com/dexter826/codebase-setupInstall into current project:
npx skills add dexter826/codebase-setupInstall globally:
npx skills add dexter826/codebase-setup -g -yCopy skills/codebase-setup into your agent's skills directory. This installs the runtime payload (SKILL.md, references/, and assets/templates/) without repository overhead.
Global on Unix/macOS (~/.agents/skills):
tmp=$(mktemp -d) && git clone --depth 1 https://github.com/dexter826/codebase-setup.git "$tmp" && mkdir -p ~/.agents/skills && rm -rf ~/.agents/skills/codebase-setup && cp -R "$tmp/skills/codebase-setup" ~/.agents/skills/codebase-setup && rm -rf "$tmp"Project-local on Unix/macOS (.agents/skills):
tmp=$(mktemp -d) && git clone --depth 1 https://github.com/dexter826/codebase-setup.git "$tmp" && mkdir -p .agents/skills && rm -rf .agents/skills/codebase-setup && cp -R "$tmp/skills/codebase-setup" .agents/skills/codebase-setup && rm -rf "$tmp"Global on Windows PowerShell ($HOME\.agents\skills):
$tmp = Join-Path $env:TEMP "codebase-setup-repo"
Remove-Item -Recurse -Force $tmp -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue
git clone --depth 1 https://github.com/dexter826/codebase-setup.git $tmp
New-Item -ItemType Directory -Force -Path "$HOME\.agents\skills" | Out-Null
Remove-Item -Recurse -Force "$HOME\.agents\skills\codebase-setup" -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue
Copy-Item -Recurse "$tmp\skills\codebase-setup" "$HOME\.agents\skills\codebase-setup"
Remove-Item -Recurse -Force $tmpThe skill runs whenever you ask an agent to scaffold, configure, or standardize a repository.
Set up a new web app using React, TypeScript, and Vite with tests and GitHub Actions CI.
Harden this repository: add linting, formatting, test runners, and AGENTS.md. Do not touch existing code in src/.
This repository lacks a Dockerfile and .env.example. Add them without altering pyproject.toml.
Read the PRD in docs/ and scaffold the baseline structure, but do not implement product features yet.
Before changing any files, the skill presents a plan showing modified paths, scheduled commands, and protected areas. It prompts for confirmation on significant actions and finishes with a verification report covering every executed command.
codebase-setup/
├── skills/codebase-setup/ # Skill runtime payload
│ ├── SKILL.md # Main router and orchestration workflow
│ ├── assets/templates/ # Standard templates (AGENTS.md, DESIGN.md, etc.)
│ └── references/ # Specialized topic reference guides
├── evals/ # Evaluation scenarios and test fixtures
├── assets/ # Brand identity and logo suite
├── plugin.json # Multi-platform plugin configuration
└── README.md, CHANGELOG.md, LICENSE # Documentation and licensing
- Compatible with coding agents that support the AgentSkills specification.
- Requires read access to the target repository and write access to the workspace.
- Network access is only needed when installing packages or checking online documentation.
Safety guardrails:
- Global tools are never installed without explicit confirmation.
- Shell profiles and system
PATHremain untouched. - Git commits are only made when requested.
- Secrets and tokens are excluded from reports and generated configs.
MIT. See LICENSE for details.