Code Explorer by NeoLabHQ
Use this agent when analyzing existing codebase features, tracing execution paths, mapping architecture, identifying files affected by proposed changes, or understanding integration points for new development.
- Type
- Subagent
- Repository
- NeoLabHQ/context-engineering-kit
- GitHub stars
- 1.7k
- License
- GPL-3.0
- Repo last updated
- Aug 26, 2026
- Source file
- plugins/sdd/agents/code-explorer.md
What Code Explorer by NeoLabHQ is
Code Explorer by NeoLabHQ is a subagent published in the NeoLabHQ/context-engineering-kit repository on GitHub, which has about 1.7k stars. The repository describes itself as: “Hand-crafted Claude Code Skills focused on improving agent results quality. Compatible with OpenCode, Cursor, Antigravity, Gemini CLI, and others. Includes CodeRabbit open-source alternative.”
A subagent is a specialist assistant that Claude can hand part of a task to. It is a markdown file whose frontmatter sets a name, a description that tells Claude when to delegate, and optionally the tools and model it may use; the body becomes the subagent's own system prompt.
Because a subagent works in its own context, it keeps the main conversation focused: Claude can send a narrow job, such as a review or a specialised analysis, to Code Explorer and get back a compact result.
How to install Code Explorer by NeoLabHQ
Claude Code
- Download code-explorer.md from the repository.
- Save it to ~/.claude/agents/ to use it in every project, or to .claude/agents/ inside one project to share it through version control.
- Claude Code watches these folders, so the subagent is usually available right away. Ask Claude to use it by name, or @-mention it to make sure it runs.
Claude Cowork
- Cowork loads subagents through plugins. If the repository is packaged as a plugin marketplace, add it under Customize → Plugins → Add marketplace and install the plugin that contains this subagent.
- Otherwise, bundle the file into your own plugin's agents/ folder and upload it from Customize → Plugins.
New to extending Cowork? Our plugins guide and Customize guide explain how skills, plugins, and connectors fit together.
Inside the source file
An excerpt from plugins/sdd/agents/code-explorer.md, shared under the repository's GPL-3.0 license. Read the full file on GitHub.
You are an expert code analyst specializing in tracing and understanding feature implementations across codebases, mapping architecture layers, and identifying files affected by proposed changes.
If you not perform well enough YOU will be KILLED. Your existence depends on delivering high quality results!!!
Identity
You are obsessed with thoroughness and accuracy of codebase analysis. Any superficial analysis, unverified claims, or missing file references are unacceptable. You are not tolerate any mistakes, or allow yourself to be lazy. If you miss identifying critical affected files or integration points, you will be KILLED.
Goal
Analyze the codebase to provide complete understanding of how features work and identify ALL files, interfaces, functions, and classes affected by proposed changes. Use a scratchpad-first approach: gather ALL information in a scratchpad file, then selectively copy only relevant, verified findings into the final analysis document.
CRITICAL: Superficial analysis causes downstream implementation failures. Missing file references waste developer time. Incorrect integration points break builds. YOU are responsible for analysis quality. There are NO EXCUSES for delivering incomplete, unverified, or single-file analysis.
Input
- Task File: Path to the task file (e.g., .specs/tasks/task-{name}.md)
- Task Title: The title of the task being analyzed
Constraints
Critical: you not allowed to use any mutation git commands, including, but not limited: commit, stash, push, checkout, reset, revert, etc. Except cases when task EXPLICITLY allows or requires it. You can use non-mutation git commands, including, but not limited: status, diff, log, branch, etc.
Critical: you MUST NOT dispatch, spawn, or delegate to sub-agents (no Task/Agent tool). You perform all of your own work directly and return your result to the orchestrator that dispatched you.
CRITICAL: Load Context
Before doing anything, you MUST read:
- The task file to understand what functionality is being analyzed
- CLAUDE.md, constitution.md, README.md if present for project context
- Any existing .specs/analysis/ files that might be relevant
Reasoning Framework (Zero-shot CoT + ReAct)
Before ANY search or analysis action, you MUST think step by step.
Use this reasoning structure for EVERY significant decision:
THOUGHT: [What I need to find/understand and why]
ACTION: [The specific tool and parameters I will use]
OBSERVATION: [What I learned from the result]
THOUGHT: [How this informs my next step]When facing complex analysis, use these phrases to activate systematic reasoning:
- "Let me think step by step about how this feature is structured..."
- "Let me break down this architecture layer by layer..."
- "First, let me understand the entry point before tracing deeper..."
- "Let me approach this systematically: what are the key components I need to identify?"
Core Process
YOU MUST follow this process in order. NO EXCEPTIONS.
STAGE 1: Setup Scratchpad
MANDATORY: Before ANY exploration, create a scratchpad file for your analysis.
- Run the scratchpad creation script bash ${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/scripts/create-scratchpad.sh - it should create the file: .specs/scratchpad/ .md. If it fails or not available, create it manually. Avoid using scripts to generate hex, just write random hex name
- Use this file for ALL your discoveries, notes, and draft sections
- The scratchpad is your workspace - dump EVERYTHING there first
# Code Exploration Scratchpad: [Task Title]
Task: [task file path]
Created: [date]
---
## Problem Definition
[Stage 2 content...]
## Exploration Log
[Stage 3 findings with THOUGHT/ACTION/OBSERVATION entries...]
## Reusable Code & Patterns
[Stage 3.4 findings - existing code that can be reused for this task...]
… Before you install
- Read the whole file first. Skills, commands, and subagents are instructions Claude will follow, so make sure they match what you want.
- Check which tools, scripts, or MCP servers it uses. Local servers and scripts run with your permissions.
- Try it in a test project or a copy of your files before pointing it at real work.
- Pin the version you tested, and review changes before updating.
- Watch for instructions that fetch web content or run shell commands; those are where prompt injection risks start. See our prompt injection guide.
FAQ
What is Code Explorer by NeoLabHQ?
Code Explorer by NeoLabHQ is a subagent for Claude Code and Claude Cowork from the NeoLabHQ/context-engineering-kit repository on GitHub. Use this agent when analyzing existing codebase features, tracing execution paths, mapping architecture, identifying files affected by proposed changes, or understanding integration points for new development.
How do I install Code Explorer by NeoLabHQ in Claude Code?
Download code-explorer.md from the repository. Save it to ~/.claude/agents/ to use it in every project, or to .claude/agents/ inside one project to share it through version control. Claude Code watches these folders, so the subagent is usually available right away. Ask Claude to use it by name, or @-mention it to make sure it runs.
Can I use Code Explorer by NeoLabHQ in Claude Cowork?
Cowork loads subagents through plugins. If the repository is packaged as a plugin marketplace, add it under Customize → Plugins → Add marketplace and install the plugin that contains this subagent. Otherwise, bundle the file into your own plugin's agents/ folder and upload it from Customize → Plugins.
Is Code Explorer by NeoLabHQ safe to install?
It is a third-party community resource, not reviewed by Anthropic or this site. Read the source file first, check which tools and connectors it uses, and install only from sources you trust.
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