context-map Skill for Claude: Map Every File a Change Touches

Makes Claude map the files, dependencies and tests a task touches before it changes any code, then wait for your review.

Installs: 9.7K; on skills.sh
Stars: 40.7K; on GitHub
Updated: Oct 2026; last repo commit

It runs 4 steps: search the codebase for files related to the task, find direct dependencies (imports and exports), find related tests, and look for similar patterns in existing code. It then fills a Context Map in a fixed Markdown layout and stops: SKILL.md ends with "Do not proceed with implementation until this map is reviewed."

The SKILL.md is 49 lines and has a {{task_description}} placeholder where your task goes. It bundles no scripts.

Good for

Developers making changes that span several files
Reviewers who want to see the plan before the edit
Anyone starting in an unfamiliar codebase

Install context-map

Claude Code

Copy this prompt.

Install the context-map skill in Claude Code. Run this command:

npx skills add https://github.com/github/awesome-copilot --skill context-map

Then check that it loaded and tell me how to use it.

2
Paste it into Claude Code. It shows the change and asks before running it.

Requires Node.js.

This installs context-map alone. The Claude app ZIP route is not offered because the skill searches a codebase on your machine.

From its listing on skills.sh. Source.

What's in the skill

When it loads

Generate a map of all files relevant to a task before making changes

Sections in SKILL.md

Task
Instructions
Output Format
Context Map
Files to Modify
Dependencies (may need updates)
Test Files
Reference Patterns
Risk Assessment

Key facts

Source: Listed in github/awesome-copilot, a community-created collection
Folder: 1 file including SKILL.md
Also in plugin: context-engineering for Copilot CLI: 3 skills and 1 agent
Installs on skills.sh: 9,651 (Nov 2, 2026)
GitHub stars: 40,666 (Nov 2, 2026)
License: MIT
Last repo commit: Oct 30, 2026

What it includes

Searches the codebase for files related to your task.
Step 1 of 4 in SKILL.md.
Files · Search related files
Identifies direct dependencies through imports and exports.
These land in the Dependencies table as files that may need updates.
Files · Find dependencies
Looks for tests that cover the affected code.
These land in the Test Files table.
Files · Find related tests
Looks for similar patterns in existing code to follow.
These land in the Reference Patterns table.
Files · Find similar patterns
Five sections: files to modify, dependencies, tests, patterns, risks.
The risk checklist has 3 boxes: breaking changes to a public API, database migrations needed, and configuration changes required.
Try: “Use the context-map skill before you change how we handle refunds.”
Context Map output
Tells Claude not to start implementing until you have reviewed the map.
The last line of SKILL.md sets the stop.
Review gate

From the official docs

Permissions

Low risk

The skill reads your codebase and writes a map; it asks Claude to stop before editing. The Copilot plugin route also adds an agent with edit and terminal tools, so use the skills CLI route if you only want the skill.

What it can do

Read your data
Create and change things
Delete things
Read-only mode

Watch out for

The Copilot plugin adds an agent with edit tools
The context-engineering plugin includes an agent whose file lists editing files, running terminal commands and fetching web pages. Install only the skill if you do not want that. github.com

Technical details

Scopes	Searches and reads files in your codebase Plugin route only: adds a Context Architect agent whose file lists edit, terminal and web fetch tools

Questions

What does context-map do?

It makes Claude produce a map of the files a change will touch before it edits anything. The map lists files to modify, dependencies, tests, similar patterns and a short risk checklist.

Does it change my code?

The skill itself asks only for a map and tells Claude not to implement until you review it. Once you approve, the editing happens as a normal request.

How do I install context-map?

Use the install box above. In Claude Code and Codex, the skills CLI command installs just this skill. For Copilot CLI, the plugin route installs the whole context-engineering plugin, which also adds 2 more skills and 1 agent.

What does the Copilot plugin add?

The context-engineering plugin lists 3 skills (context-map, refactor-plan, what-context-needed) and one agent, Context Architect. That agent's file lists tools that include editing files, running terminal commands and fetching web pages.

Does it need an API key?

SKILL.md names no key or external service, and the folder bundles no scripts.

Is it safe to use?

The skill itself asks Claude to read your codebase and write a map, and to stop before editing. The Copilot plugin route also installs an agent with edit and terminal tools, so review what you add.

Information

updated Nov 2, 2026

Repository: github/awesome-copilot
Folder: skills/context-map

github/awesome-copilot skills.sh

Sources

Docs, issue trackers and discussions this page is built from.

Show all 4

context-map SKILL.md · github.com
awesome-copilot README · github.com
context-engineering plugin.json · github.com
context-architect agent · github.com