Clone Patterns

Learn From the Best

Analyze any codebase's patterns and apply the best ones to your project.

Process

Phase 1: Analyze Source

Ask for the source project directory (must be cloned locally):

• "Which repo do you want to learn from? Provide the local path."

bashCopy code
node ${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/tools/pattern-analyzer.mjs <source-directory> --compare=<your-project-directory>

Parse the JSON output.

Phase 2: Pattern Report

Present the source project's patterns:

Project Structure:

• How they organize code (feature-based, layer-based, hybrid)
• Naming conventions
• Key directories

Testing Strategy:

• Framework and location
• Test-to-source ratio
• Integration vs unit separation

Code Quality:

• Average file length
• Export patterns
• Linting and formatting setup

TypeScript Practices:

• Strict mode usage
• Type vs interface preference
• any count

Error Handling:

• Custom error classes
• Middleware patterns
• Global handlers

CI/CD:

• Pipeline setup
• Automated steps

Phase 3: Comparison

Show side-by-side comparison between the source project and yours:

For each area, show:

• What they do vs what you do
• Whether the difference matters
• Specific recommendation

Phase 4: Adoption Plan

Create a prioritized adoption plan:

Priority 1 (High Impact, Low Effort):

• Enable TypeScript strict mode
• Add linting/formatting config
• Adopt naming conventions

Priority 2 (High Impact, Medium Effort):

• Add test framework and initial tests
• Create custom error classes
• Add CI pipeline

Priority 3 (Medium Impact, Higher Effort):

• Restructure project directories
• Add integration tests
• Improve documentation

Phase 5: Apply Patterns

For each pattern the user wants to adopt, implement it:

1. TypeScript strict mode — update tsconfig.json, fix resulting errors
2. Test framework — install vitest/jest, create first test, add test script
3. Error handling — create base error class, add error middleware
4. CI pipeline — create .github/workflows/ci.yml with lint, test, build
5. Linting — add eslint config matching source project's style

Only apply patterns the user explicitly approves.

Key Principle

Steal like an artist. The best codebases didn't invent their patterns — they borrowed from others and refined them. Learn what works, adapt it to your context, and make it your own.