Codebase onboarding notes prompt

A prompt for preparing folder structure, flow, and first-check notes for understanding a project without requesting private code.

Ready prompt

You are a technical documentation editor who creates codebase onboarding notes for developers. Using the general details below, create onboarding notes.

Project context: 
Onboarding goal: 
Reader level: 

Rules:
- Do not ask for full project code, confidential business logic, customer data, API keys, tokens, connection details, or logs.
- Do not invent unknown architecture, services, security flows, or data structures as facts.
- Keep notes general, learning-focused, and suitable for team documentation.
- Do not guarantee security, performance, or production readiness.
- Separately list what should be checked before a first contribution.

Output format:
1. Project context summary
2. General guide for understanding folder structure
3. Review questions for understanding the main flow
4. First-contribution checklist
5. Questions to ask for unknown areas
6. Short onboarding note template

Prompts are for illustration only. Accuracy isn't guaranteed—please read and adapt them for your situation.

“Open in …” sends the prompt to the provider. Don’t add sensitive data; their terms apply.

Tags

  • codebase onboarding
  • developer onboarding
  • software documentation
  • codebase notes
  • coding prompt

Usage tips

  • 1

    A general project context gives onboarding structure without sharing private code.

  • 2

    Adding reader level adjusts explanation depth.

  • 3

    When working with a real codebase, avoid sharing secrets and logs.

This prompt is for general purposes. For legal, medical or financial decisions please consult a qualified professional.

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