index-knowledge
tursodatabase/turso
Generate hierarchical AGENTS.md knowledge bases for codebases with complexity scoring and parallel analysis.
What is index-knowledge?
index-knowledge creates a structured AGENTS.md documentation system for your codebase by analyzing project structure, entry points, conventions, and code patterns. Use it to build AI-agent-friendly knowledge bases that scale from single files to complex monorepos with automatic complexity scoring and subdirectory organization.
- Generates root AGENTS.md plus complexity-scored subdirectory documentation
- Launches parallel explore agents for concurrent project analysis (structure, entry points, conventions, anti-patterns, build/CI, test patterns)
- Dynamically spawns additional agents based on project scale (file count, lines of code, directory depth, monorepo detection)
- Scores directories using weighted factors (file count, subdir count, code ratio, symbol density, export count, reference centrality)
- Reads and preserves existing AGENTS.md context; supports --create-new for full regeneration
- Integrates LSP codemap for symbol analysis and reference tracking when available
How to install index-knowledge
npx skills add https://github.com/tursodatabase/turso --skill index-knowledge- Node.js environment with npx available
- Bash shell for structural analysis commands
- Optional: LSP server availability for symbol analysis (falls back to explore agents if unavailable)
How to use index-knowledge
- 1.Install the skill: npx skills add https://github.com/tursodatabase/turso --skill index-knowledge
- 2.Run with default settings (update mode): Execute the skill on your project root to generate or update AGENTS.md files
- 3.Use --create-new flag to remove all existing AGENTS.md files and regenerate from scratch
- 4.Use --max-depth=N to limit directory traversal depth (default is 5)
- 5.Review generated AGENTS.md files in root and subdirectories; edit as needed for project-specific context
Use cases
- Document a new codebase for AI agents (Claude Code, Cursor) to understand structure and conventions before making changes
- Generate knowledge bases for monorepos with multiple packages, each with distinct patterns and entry points
- Create complexity-aware documentation that automatically decides which subdirectories warrant their own AGENTS.md files
- Preserve project-specific anti-patterns and forbidden practices in machine-readable format for agent compliance
- Update existing documentation incrementally without losing prior context or requiring manual file deletion
- Teams using AI coding agents (Claude Code, Cursor) who need structured codebase knowledge
- Maintainers of large or complex projects wanting to document conventions and anti-patterns
- Monorepo managers needing hierarchical documentation across multiple packages or workspaces
- Projects with multiple languages or non-standard directory structures
index-knowledge FAQ
Update mode (default) modifies existing AGENTS.md files and creates new ones where warranted, preserving prior context. --create-new reads all existing files first for context, then deletes and regenerates everything from scratch.
It scores directories using a weighted matrix (file count, subdir count, code ratio, symbol density, exports, reference centrality). Scores >15 always get AGENTS.md; 8-15 get one if they represent a distinct domain; <8 are skipped and covered by parent documentation.
Yes. The skill detects monorepos and spawns additional explore agents per package/workspace. It generates hierarchical AGENTS.md files reflecting the monorepo structure.
The skill falls back to explore agents and bash structural analysis. LSP is optional and improves symbol density and reference tracking, but the skill works without it.
The skill generates a standard format (overview, structure, where to look, code map, conventions, anti-patterns, commands, notes). You can edit generated files afterward; update mode preserves your edits on subsequent runs.
Full instructions (SKILL.md)
Source of truth, from tursodatabase/turso.
name: index-knowledge description: Generate hierarchical AGENTS.md knowledge base for a codebase. Creates root + complexity-scored subdirectory documentation.
index-knowledge
Generate hierarchical AGENTS.md files. Root + complexity-scored subdirectories.
Usage
--create-new # Read existing → remove all → regenerate from scratch
--max-depth=2 # Limit directory depth (default: 5)
Default: Update mode (modify existing + create new where warranted)
Workflow (High-Level)
- Discovery + Analysis (concurrent)
- Launch parallel explore agents (multiple Task calls in one message)
- Main session: bash structure + LSP codemap + read existing AGENTS.md
- Score & Decide - Determine AGENTS.md locations from merged findings
- Generate - Root first, then subdirs in parallel
- Review - Deduplicate, trim, validate
TodoWrite([
{ id: "discovery", content: "Fire explore agents + LSP codemap + read existing", status: "pending", priority: "high" },
{ id: "scoring", content: "Score directories, determine locations", status: "pending", priority: "high" },
{ id: "generate", content: "Generate AGENTS.md files (root + subdirs)", status: "pending", priority: "high" },
{ id: "review", content: "Deduplicate, validate, trim", status: "pending", priority: "medium" }
])
</critical>
Phase 1: Discovery + Analysis (Concurrent)
Mark "discovery" as in_progress.
Launch Parallel Explore Agents
Multiple Task calls in a single message execute in parallel. Results return directly.
// All Task calls in ONE message = parallel execution
Task(
description="project structure",
subagent_type="explore",
prompt="Project structure: PREDICT standard patterns for detected language → REPORT deviations only"
)
Task(
description="entry points",
subagent_type="explore",
prompt="Entry points: FIND main files → REPORT non-standard organization"
)
Task(
description="conventions",
subagent_type="explore",
prompt="Conventions: FIND config files (.eslintrc, pyproject.toml, .editorconfig) → REPORT project-specific rules"
)
Task(
description="anti-patterns",
subagent_type="explore",
prompt="Anti-patterns: FIND 'DO NOT', 'NEVER', 'ALWAYS', 'DEPRECATED' comments → LIST forbidden patterns"
)
Task(
description="build/ci",
subagent_type="explore",
prompt="Build/CI: FIND .github/workflows, Makefile → REPORT non-standard patterns"
)
Task(
description="test patterns",
subagent_type="explore",
prompt="Test patterns: FIND test configs, test structure → REPORT unique conventions"
)
<dynamic-agents>
**DYNAMIC AGENT SPAWNING**: After bash analysis, spawn ADDITIONAL explore agents based on project scale:
| Factor | Threshold | Additional Agents |
|---|---|---|
| Total files | >100 | +1 per 100 files |
| Total lines | >10k | +1 per 10k lines |
| Directory depth | ≥4 | +2 for deep exploration |
| Large files (>500 lines) | >10 files | +1 for complexity hotspots |
| Monorepo | detected | +1 per package/workspace |
| Multiple languages | >1 | +1 per language |
# Measure project scale first
total_files=$(find . -type f -not -path '*/node_modules/*' -not -path '*/.git/*' | wc -l)
total_lines=$(find . -type f \( -name "*.ts" -o -name "*.py" -o -name "*.go" \) -not -path '*/node_modules/*' -exec wc -l {} + 2>/dev/null | tail -1 | awk '{print $1}')
large_files=$(find . -type f \( -name "*.ts" -o -name "*.py" \) -not -path '*/node_modules/*' -exec wc -l {} + 2>/dev/null | awk '$1 > 500 {count++} END {print count+0}')
max_depth=$(find . -type d -not -path '*/node_modules/*' -not -path '*/.git/*' | awk -F/ '{print NF}' | sort -rn | head -1)
Example spawning (all in ONE message for parallel execution):
// 500 files, 50k lines, depth 6, 15 large files → spawn additional agents
Task(
description="large files",
subagent_type="explore",
prompt="Large file analysis: FIND files >500 lines, REPORT complexity hotspots"
)
Task(
description="deep modules",
subagent_type="explore",
prompt="Deep modules at depth 4+: FIND hidden patterns, internal conventions"
)
Task(
description="cross-cutting",
subagent_type="explore",
prompt="Cross-cutting concerns: FIND shared utilities across directories"
)
// ... more based on calculation
</dynamic-agents>
Main Session: Concurrent Analysis
While Task agents execute, main session does:
1. Bash Structural Analysis
# Directory depth + file counts
find . -type d -not -path '*/\.*' -not -path '*/node_modules/*' -not -path '*/venv/*' -not -path '*/dist/*' -not -path '*/build/*' | awk -F/ '{print NF-1}' | sort -n | uniq -c
# Files per directory (top 30)
find . -type f -not -path '*/\.*' -not -path '*/node_modules/*' | sed 's|/[^/]*$||' | sort | uniq -c | sort -rn | head -30
# Code concentration by extension
find . -type f \( -name "*.py" -o -name "*.ts" -o -name "*.tsx" -o -name "*.js" -o -name "*.go" -o -name "*.rs" \) -not -path '*/node_modules/*' | sed 's|/[^/]*$||' | sort | uniq -c | sort -rn | head -20
# Existing AGENTS.md / CLAUDE.md
find . -type f \( -name "AGENTS.md" -o -name "CLAUDE.md" \) -not -path '*/node_modules/*' 2>/dev/null
2. Read Existing AGENTS.md
For each existing file found:
Read(filePath=file)
Extract: key insights, conventions, anti-patterns
Store in EXISTING_AGENTS map
If --create-new: Read all existing first (preserve context) → then delete all → regenerate.
3. LSP Codemap (if available)
lsp_servers() # Check availability
# Entry points (parallel)
lsp_document_symbols(filePath="src/index.ts")
lsp_document_symbols(filePath="main.py")
# Key symbols (parallel)
lsp_workspace_symbols(filePath=".", query="class")
lsp_workspace_symbols(filePath=".", query="interface")
lsp_workspace_symbols(filePath=".", query="function")
# Centrality for top exports
lsp_find_references(filePath="...", line=X, character=Y)
LSP Fallback: If unavailable, rely on explore agents + AST-grep.
Merge: bash + LSP + existing + Task agent results. Mark "discovery" as completed.
Phase 2: Scoring & Location Decision
Mark "scoring" as in_progress.
Scoring Matrix
| Factor | Weight | High Threshold | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| File count | 3x | >20 | bash |
| Subdir count | 2x | >5 | bash |
| Code ratio | 2x | >70% | bash |
| Unique patterns | 1x | Has own config | explore |
| Module boundary | 2x | Has index.ts/init.py | bash |
| Symbol density | 2x | >30 symbols | LSP |
| Export count | 2x | >10 exports | LSP |
| Reference centrality | 3x | >20 refs | LSP |
Decision Rules
| Score | Action |
|---|---|
| Root (.) | ALWAYS create |
| >15 | Create AGENTS.md |
| 8-15 | Create if distinct domain |
| <8 | Skip (parent covers) |
Output
AGENTS_LOCATIONS = [
{ path: ".", type: "root" },
{ path: "src/hooks", score: 18, reason: "high complexity" },
{ path: "src/api", score: 12, reason: "distinct domain" }
]
Mark "scoring" as completed.
Phase 3: Generate AGENTS.md
Mark "generate" as in_progress.
Root AGENTS.md (Full Treatment)
# PROJECT KNOWLEDGE BASE
**Generated:** {TIMESTAMP}
**Commit:** {SHORT_SHA}
**Branch:** {BRANCH}
## OVERVIEW
{1-2 sentences: what + core stack}
## STRUCTURE
\`\`\`
{root}/
├── {dir}/ # {non-obvious purpose only}
└── {entry}
\`\`\`
## WHERE TO LOOK
| Task | Location | Notes |
|------|----------|-------|
## CODE MAP
{From LSP - skip if unavailable or project <10 files}
| Symbol | Type | Location | Refs | Role |
## CONVENTIONS
{ONLY deviations from standard}
## ANTI-PATTERNS (THIS PROJECT)
{Explicitly forbidden here}
## UNIQUE STYLES
{Project-specific}
## COMMANDS
\`\`\`bash
{dev/test/build}
\`\`\`
## NOTES
{Gotchas}
Quality gates: 50-150 lines, no generic advice, no obvious info.
Subdirectory AGENTS.md (Parallel)
Launch general agents for each location in ONE message (parallel execution):
// All in single message = parallel
Task(
description="AGENTS.md for src/hooks",
subagent_type="general",
prompt="Generate AGENTS.md for: src/hooks
- Reason: high complexity
- 30-80 lines max
- NEVER repeat parent content
- Sections: OVERVIEW (1 line), STRUCTURE (if >5 subdirs), WHERE TO LOOK, CONVENTIONS (if different), ANTI-PATTERNS
- Write directly to src/hooks/AGENTS.md"
)
Task(
description="AGENTS.md for src/api",
subagent_type="general",
prompt="Generate AGENTS.md for: src/api
- Reason: distinct domain
- 30-80 lines max
- NEVER repeat parent content
- Sections: OVERVIEW (1 line), STRUCTURE (if >5 subdirs), WHERE TO LOOK, CONVENTIONS (if different), ANTI-PATTERNS
- Write directly to src/api/AGENTS.md"
)
// ... one Task per AGENTS_LOCATIONS entry
Results return directly. Mark "generate" as completed.
Phase 4: Review & Deduplicate
Mark "review" as in_progress.
For each generated file:
- Remove generic advice
- Remove parent duplicates
- Trim to size limits
- Verify telegraphic style
Mark "review" as completed.
Final Report
=== index-knowledge Complete ===
Mode: {update | create-new}
Files:
✓ ./AGENTS.md (root, {N} lines)
✓ ./src/hooks/AGENTS.md ({N} lines)
Dirs Analyzed: {N}
AGENTS.md Created: {N}
AGENTS.md Updated: {N}
Hierarchy:
./AGENTS.md
└── src/hooks/AGENTS.md
Anti-Patterns
- Static agent count: MUST vary agents based on project size/depth
- Sequential execution: MUST parallel (multiple Task calls in one message)
- Ignoring existing: ALWAYS read existing first, even with --create-new
- Over-documenting: Not every dir needs AGENTS.md
- Redundancy: Child never repeats parent
- Generic content: Remove anything that applies to ALL projects
- Verbose style: Telegraphic or die
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