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Codebase Design

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vinvcn
codebase-design

用于设计深模块的共享词汇。适用于用户想设计或改进模块接口、寻找深化机会、决定 seam 放在哪里、让代码更容易测试或更适合 AI 导航,或其他技能需要深模块词汇时。

Overview

Publishervinvcn
Repositorymattpocock-skills-zh-CN
Skill namecodebase-design
Stars
4.3K
Forks
347
Bundled files
3
LicenseMIT
Links
  • Markdown instructions

    A SKILL.md file the model loads on demand, so it only costs tokens when a request actually matches.

  • Works with any LLM

    AI skills are plain Markdown, not provider-specific code, so this works with GPT, Claude, Gemini, Grok, or a local model.

  • 3 bundled files

    Scripts, templates, and references the model can read while it works. Files are read-only and never executed.

  • Open source

    Published by vinvcn on GitHub. Read the source before you install it.

Installation

Install the Codebase Design AI skill in TypingMind to use it with any LLM, or drop it into another agent that reads SKILL.md.

1

Install in TypingMind

TypingMind installs a skill straight from its GitHub folder — it reads SKILL.md, bundles the resource files, and stores the result locally.

  1. Open the app and go to Plugins → Skills.
  2. Choose "Install from GitHub".
  3. Paste the skill folder URL below and confirm.
  4. Enable the skill in any chat where you want it available.
Plugins → Skills → Add skill → From GitHub URL, then paste the folder URL and press Continue.
2

Install in another agent

Any agent that reads the Agent Skills format can use this skill — copy the folder into that agent's skills directory.

Claude Code — .claude/skills
git clone --depth 1 https://github.com/vinvcn/mattpocock-skills-zh-CN.git /tmp/mattpocock-skills-zh-CN
mkdir -p .claude/skills
cp -r /tmp/mattpocock-skills-zh-CN/skills/engineering/codebase-design .claude/skills/codebase-design
Restart Claude Code after copying so it picks up the new skill.

Use it in TypingMind

Enable Codebase Design in any TypingMind chat and the model takes it from there. Its name and description sit in the system prompt, and the moment a request matches, the model loads the full instructions itself — you never invoke it by hand, and it costs no tokens until it is actually used.

The model loads Codebase Design on its own as soon as a request matches it.

Works with any AI model

AI skills are plain Markdown instructions rather than provider-specific code, so Codebase Design is not tied to the model it was written for. Install it once in TypingMind and use it with GPT-5, Claude, Gemini, Grok, DeepSeek, Mistral, Llama, or a local model you run yourself — all on your own API keys.

  • Loaded only when it is needed

    The system prompt carries just the name and description. The instructions are fetched on the first matching request, so an idle skill costs nothing.

  • Switch models mid-chat

    Because the skill is instructions rather than code, changing model does not break it — the next model reads the same SKILL.md.

Skill instructions

This is the SKILL.md content the model loads. Read it before installing — a skill is instructions your model will follow.

Codebase Design

设计 deep modules:把大量行为放在小 interface 之后,把 interface 放在清晰 seam 上,并通过该 interface 测试。凡是在设计或重构代码时,都使用这套语言和原则。目标是给 callers 带来 leverage,给 maintainers 带来 locality,并让每个人都更容易测试。

Glossary

准确使用这些术语,不要替换成 "component"、"service"、"API" 或 "boundary"。一致语言就是重点。

Module - 任何拥有 interface 和 implementation 的东西。它故意不限定尺度:function、class、package,或跨层 slice 都可以。Avoid: unit, component, service.

Interface - caller 为了正确使用 module 必须知道的一切:type signature,以及 invariants、ordering constraints、error modes、required configuration 和 performance characteristics。Avoid: API, signature(太窄,只指 type-level surface)。

Implementation - module 内部的代码体。它不同于 Adapter:一个东西可以是小 adapter 但有大 implementation(Postgres repo),也可以是大 adapter 但 implementation 很小(in-memory fake)。讨论 seam 时说 adapter;其他时候说 implementation。

Depth - interface 上的 leverage:caller(或 test)每学习一单位 interface,就能触达多少行为。大量行为藏在小 interface 后面时,module 是 deep;interface 几乎和 implementation 一样复杂时,module 是 shallow

Seam(Michael Feathers)- 你可以在不编辑当前位置的情况下改变行为的地方;也就是 module 的 interface 所在的 location。seam 放在哪里是独立设计决策,不同于 seam 后面放什么。Avoid: boundary(它和 DDD bounded context 过载)。

Adapter - 在 seam 上满足某个 interface 的具体东西。描述的是 role(填哪个槽位),不是 substance(内部是什么)。

Leverage - callers 从 depth 获得的收益:每学习一单位 interface,就得到更多能力。一个 implementation 会在 N 个 call sites 和 M 个 tests 中回本。

Locality - maintainers 从 depth 获得的收益:change、bugs、knowledge 和 verification 集中在一个地方,而不是散到 callers 里。修一次,到处都修好。

Deep vs shallow

Deep module = small interface + lots of implementation:

text
+------------------+
| Small Interface  | -> few methods, simple params
+------------------+
|                  |
| Deep             | -> complex logic hidden
| Implementation   |
|                  |
+------------------+

Shallow module = large interface + little implementation(避免):

text
+-------------------------------+
| Large Interface               | -> many methods, complex params
+-------------------------------+
| Thin Implementation           | -> mostly pass-through
+-------------------------------+

设计 interface 时问:

  • 我能减少 methods 数量吗?
  • 我能简化 parameters 吗?
  • 我能把更多复杂度藏到内部吗?

Principles

  • Depth 是 interface 的属性,不是 implementation 的属性。 Deep module 内部可以由小的、mockable、swappable parts 组成,只是它们不属于 interface。一个 module 可以同时拥有 internal seams(implementation 私有,供自身 tests 使用)和位于 interface 的 external seam
  • Deletion test。 想象删除这个 module。如果复杂度消失了,它只是 pass-through。如果复杂度重新散落到 N 个 callers 里,它就在发挥价值。
  • Interface is the test surface。 Callers 和 tests 穿过同一个 seam。若你想测试 interface 之后的内部细节,这个 module 形状可能不对。
  • One adapter means a hypothetical seam. Two adapters means a real one. 除非确实有东西会跨 seam 变化,否则不要引入 seam。

Designing for testability

好的 interfaces 让测试自然发生:

  1. Accept dependencies, don't create them.

    typescript
    // Testable
    function processOrder(order, paymentGateway) {}
    
    // Hard to test
    function processOrder(order) {
      const gateway = new StripeGateway();
    }
  2. Return results, don't produce side effects.

    typescript
    // Testable
    function calculateDiscount(cart): Discount {}
    
    // Hard to test
    function applyDiscount(cart): void {
      cart.total -= discount;
    }
  3. Small surface area. 更少 methods = 需要更少 tests。更少 params = 更简单的 test setup。

Relationships

  • 一个 Module 恰好有一个 Interface(它呈现给 callers 和 tests 的 surface)。
  • DepthModule 的属性,并以其 Interface 衡量。
  • SeamModuleInterface 所在的位置。
  • Adapter 位于 Seam 上,并满足 Interface
  • Depth 为 callers 产生 Leverage,为 maintainers 产生 Locality

Rejected framings

  • 把 depth 当作 implementation-lines 与 interface-lines 的比例(Ousterhout):这会奖励 padding implementation。这里使用 depth-as-leverage。
  • 把 "Interface" 理解为 TypeScript interface keyword 或 class public methods:太窄;这里的 interface 包括 caller 必须知道的所有事实。
  • "Boundary":与 DDD bounded context 过载。说 seaminterface

Going deeper

  • Deepening a cluster given its dependencies - 见 DEEPENING.md:dependency categories、seam discipline 和 replace-don't-layer testing。
  • Exploring alternative interfaces - 见 DESIGN-IT-TWICE.md:启动并行 sub-agents,用几种截然不同的方式设计 interface,再按 depth、locality 和 seam placement 比较。

Bundled files

The model reads these on demand while the skill is loaded. They are exposed as readable files and are never executed.

Frequently asked questions

What does the Codebase Design AI skill do?

用于设计深模块的共享词汇。适用于用户想设计或改进模块接口、寻找深化机会、决定 seam 放在哪里、让代码更容易测试或更适合 AI 导航,或其他技能需要深模块词汇时。

Why use Codebase Design on TypingMind?

Because you install it once and use it with any model. Codebase Design is plain Markdown rather than provider-specific code, so the same skill runs on GPT-5, Claude, Gemini, Grok, or a local model — and you can switch model mid-chat without it breaking. TypingMind runs on your own API keys, so you pay providers directly instead of a per-seat subscription, and your skills and chats stay in your own storage.

How do I install Codebase Design in TypingMind?

Open Plugins → Skills → Install from GitHub in TypingMind and paste https://github.com/vinvcn/mattpocock-skills-zh-CN/tree/main/skills/engineering/codebase-design. TypingMind reads its SKILL.md and bundles its files and installs it as a skill you can enable per chat.

Which AI models can use Codebase Design?

Any model you connect in TypingMind. AI skills are plain Markdown instructions rather than provider-specific code, so GPT, Claude, Gemini, Grok, and local models can all load this skill when a request matches it.

How many AI models can I use with Codebase Design?

As many as you like. As long as a model supports skills, you can use Codebase Design with it — GPT, Claude, Gemini, Grok, DeepSeek, Mistral, Llama and more — all on TypingMind with your own API keys.

Is the Codebase Design AI skill free?

Yes. It is published on GitHub by vinvcn under the MIT license. You only pay your own AI provider for the tokens you use.

What are AI skills?

An AI skill is a reusable instruction bundle that teaches an AI model how to do one specific task. It follows the open Agent Skills format: a SKILL.md file with a name and description, plus any scripts, templates or reference files the model may need. The model reads the instructions only when your request matches the skill, so an installed skill costs nothing until it is used.

How are AI skills different from plugins or MCP servers?

A plugin or MCP server gives a model new tools to call — code that runs somewhere and returns a result. An AI skill gives the model knowledge and process instead: how to approach a task, which steps to follow, what good output looks like. Skills are plain Markdown, so they need no server, no API key and no runtime, and they work with any model.

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