Guide for setup Codemap CLI for intelligent codebase visualization and navigation
Install
npx skillscat add neolabhq/context-engineering-kit/mcp-setup-codemap-cli Install via the SkillsCat registry.
This skill provides a step-by-step guide to installing and configuring the Codemap CLI for codebase visualization. It assists developers in setting up the tool across different operating systems and configuration scopes, ensuring the environment is correctly prepared for intelligent navigation and documentation updates.
User Input:
$ARGUMENTSGuide for setup Codemap CLI
1. Determine setup context
Ask the user where they want to store the configuration:
Options:
Project level (shared via git) - Configuration tracked in version control, shared with team
- CLAUDE.md updates go to:
./CLAUDE.md - Hook settings go to:
./.claude/settings.json
- CLAUDE.md updates go to:
Project level (personal preferences) - Configuration stays local, not tracked in git
- CLAUDE.md updates go to:
./CLAUDE.local.md - Hook settings go to:
./.claude/settings.local.json - Verify these files are listed in
.gitignore, add them if not
- CLAUDE.md updates go to:
User level (global) - Configuration applies to all projects for this user
- CLAUDE.md updates go to:
~/.claude/CLAUDE.md - Hook settings go to:
~/.claude/settings.json
- CLAUDE.md updates go to:
Store the user's choice and use the appropriate paths in subsequent steps.
2. Check if Codemap is already installed
Check whether codemap is installed by running codemap --version or codemap --help.
If not installed, proceed with setup.
3. Load Codemap documentation
Read the following documentation to understand Codemap's capabilities:
- Load https://raw.githubusercontent.com/JordanCoin/codemap/refs/heads/main/README.md to understand what Codemap is and its capabilities
4. Guide user through installation
macOS/Linux (Homebrew)
brew tap JordanCoin/tap && brew install codemapWindows (Scoop)
scoop bucket add codemap https://github.com/JordanCoin/scoop-codemap
scoop install codemap5. Verify installation
After installation, verify codemap works:
codemap --version
codemap .6. Update CLAUDE.md file
Use the path determined in step 1. Once Codemap is successfully installed, update the appropriate CLAUDE.md file with the following content:
## Use Codemap CLI for Codebase Navigation
Codemap CLI is available for intelligent codebase visualization and navigation.
**Required Usage** - You MUST use `codemap --diff --ref master` to research changes different from default branch, and `git diff` + `git status` to research current working state.
### Quick Start
```bash
codemap . # Project tree
codemap --only swift . # Just Swift files
codemap --exclude .xcassets,Fonts,.png . # Hide assets
codemap --depth 2 . # Limit depth
codemap --diff # What changed vs main
codemap --deps . # Dependency flowOptions
| Flag | Description |
|---|---|
--depth, -d <n> |
Limit tree depth (0 = unlimited) |
--only <exts> |
Only show files with these extensions |
--exclude <patterns> |
Exclude files matching patterns |
--diff |
Show files changed vs main branch |
--ref <branch> |
Branch to compare against (with --diff) |
--deps |
Dependency flow mode |
--importers <file> |
Check who imports a file |
--skyline |
City skyline visualization |
--json |
Output JSON |
Smart pattern matching - no quotes needed:
.png- any.pngfileFonts- any/Fonts/directory*Test*- glob pattern
Diff Mode
See what you're working on:
codemap --diff
codemap --diff --ref develop
if the default branch is not `main`, but instead `master` (or something else) update content accordingly:
- use `codemap --diff --ref master` instead of regular `codemap --diff`
## 7. Update .gitignore file
Update .gitignore file to include `.codemap/` directory:
```text
.codemap/8. Test Codemap
Run a quick test to verify everything works:
codemap .
codemap --diff9. Add hooks to settings file
Use the settings path determined in step 1. Create the settings file if it doesn't exist and add the following content:
{ "hooks": { "session-start": "codemap hook session-start && echo 'git diff:' && git diff --stat && echo 'git status:' && git status" } }if default branch is not
main, but insteadmaster(or something else) update content accordingly:- use
codemap hook session-start --ref=masterinstead of regularcodemap hook session-start - For rest of commands also add
--ref=masterflag.
- use
Ask user whether he want to add any other hooks and provide list of options with descriptions. Add hooks that he asks for.
Available Hooks
| Command | Trigger | Description |
|---|---|---|
codemap hook session-start |
SessionStart | Full tree, hubs, branch diff, last session context |
codemap hook pre-edit |
PreToolUse (Edit|Write) | Who imports file + what hubs it imports |
codemap hook post-edit |
PostToolUse (Edit|Write) | Impact of changes (same as pre-edit) |
codemap hook prompt-submit |
UserPromptSubmit | Hub context for mentioned files + session progress |
codemap hook pre-compact |
PreCompact | Saves hub state to .codemap/hubs.txt |
codemap hook session-stop |
SessionEnd | Edit timeline with line counts and stats |
Example of file with full hooks configuration
{
"hooks": {
"SessionStart": [
{
"hooks": [
{
"type": "command",
"command": "codemap hook session-start"
}
]
}
],
"PreToolUse": [
{
"matcher": "Edit|Write",
"hooks": [
{
"type": "command",
"command": "codemap hook pre-edit"
}
]
}
],
"PostToolUse": [
{
"matcher": "Edit|Write",
"hooks": [
{
"type": "command",
"command": "codemap hook post-edit"
}
]
}
],
"UserPromptSubmit": [
{
"hooks": [
{
"type": "command",
"command": "codemap hook prompt-submit"
}
]
}
],
"PreCompact": [
{
"hooks": [
{
"type": "command",
"command": "codemap hook pre-compact"
}
]
}
],
"SessionEnd": [
{
"hooks": [
{
"type": "command",
"command": "codemap hook session-stop"
}
]
}
]
}
}