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Convex Explain App

ConvexOfficialPublished by Convex

  • Skill
  • Research and analysis
  • Software development
  • Apache-2.0
  • No issues found

From the author

Explain an existing Convex app — data model + relationships, public vs internal functions, auth/ownership model, components, a request→data flow — read from the schema and function surface. Read-only.
— the description by Convex

AutoGineer summary

Written by AutoGineer from the skill’s own files, not by the author

convex-explain-app provides a descriptive, read-only analysis of an existing Convex application. By parsing the schema and function specifications, it creates a clear map of the data model, relationships, and API surface. It distinguishes between public and internal functions, outlines the authentication and ownership model, and traces end-to-end data flows. This skill serves as a foundational step for developers needing to understand an unfamiliar codebase before performing audits, optimizations, or modifications.

What it does

  • Maps the data model and foreign-key relationships from the schema.
  • Categorizes functions into public API surface and internal logic.
  • Describes the authentication and ownership enforcement model.
  • Identifies installed components, HTTP routes, and cron jobs.
  • Traces representative end-to-end request-to-data flows.
  • Provides a structured, scannable architectural overview.

When to use it

  • When onboarding to an existing Convex project.
  • Before initiating a refactoring or optimization task.
  • As a prerequisite for running security or architectural audits.
  • When you need to verify the current state of an application's API surface.

Advantages

  • Provides an accurate, source-of-truth map of the application.
  • Saves time compared to manual code review of multiple files.
  • Clearly separates public and internal function boundaries.
  • Maintains a strictly descriptive, non-evaluative perspective.
  • Identifies missing auth foundations explicitly.

Usage examples

“Explain the architecture of this Convex app.”
The agent generates a structured report detailing the data model, public/internal function split, auth model, and a trace of a primary data flow.
“What is the data model and auth setup for this project?”
The agent provides a summary of the schema tables and relationships, followed by a description of how identity and ownership are handled in the codebase.

Install

  1. Download the skill as a ZIP:

    https://autogineer.com/agent-skills/convex/convex-explain-app/download
  2. Unzip it into the cross-client skills folder of your project:

    mkdir -p .agents/skills && unzip convex-explain-app.zip -d .agents/skills

Documentation by Convex

<!-- GENERATED from convex-agents content/capabilities/explain-app.json — do not edit by hand. -->

Explain this Convex app

Before you can safely change an app you have to know what it is — and reading 15 function files top-to-bottom is slow and error-prone. This capability produces the map fast and accurately by reading the two sources that can't lie: the schema (the data model) and the function surface (functionSpec / the exported queries/mutations/actions). It is deliberately DESCRIPTIVE — it explains what IS, hands judgment to the audit capabilities and changes to the fixers. It is also the natural first step of an optimize or self-heal session, and the reusable 're-explain the current architecture' that 'change what you built' depends on.

Workflow

  1. DETECT the app: the convex/ directory, schema.ts, and whether a deployment exists (if one does, functionSpec/tables via the official MCP give the authoritative live surface; if not, read the source directly). deploy-guard classifies any deployment read as read-only.

  2. DATA MODEL: from schema.ts, list every table with its fields and, crucially, its RELATIONSHIPS — which v.id("other") fields point where, and which indexes exist (indexes reveal the intended access paths). Draw the foreign-key graph in words: 'tasks belong to projects (projectId) and users (ownerId); messages belong to conversations'.

  3. FUNCTION SURFACE: enumerate every exported function, split PUBLIC (query/mutation/action — the attack/API surface) from INTERNAL (internalQuery/... — not client-reachable), and for each give a one-line 'what it does + what it touches'. The public/internal split is the single most important thing a newcomer needs and the thing source-skimming most often gets wrong.

  4. AUTH / OWNERSHIP MODEL: state how identity is established (auth.config.ts provider? a users table keyed by tokenIdentifier?) and how ownership is enforced (is there a requireOwner-style check? which field is the owner?). Say plainly if there is NO auth foundation — that is load-bearing context for anyone about to change the app. (Describe the model; do not audit it for holes — that's convex-authz.)

  5. COMPONENTS + EXTERNAL EDGES: list the @convex-dev/* components installed (convex.config.ts) and what they provide, the HTTP routes (http.ts) and crons, and any external calls in actions (which APIs, which env vars).

  6. FLOW: trace 1-2 representative end-to-end paths ('client calls createTask → validates → inserts into tasks scoped to the caller → listMyTasks reads it back by the by_owner index') so the reader sees the moving parts connected, not just catalogued.

  7. PRESENT as a scannable map (data model → public/internal functions → auth model → components/edges → a flow or two), accurate to the source. End by pointing at the next verbs: convex-reviewer/convex-authz to audit it, launch-readiness to score it, design/convex-expert to extend it. Never invent behavior the source doesn't show; if something is ambiguous, say so rather than guessing.

Rules

  • Read the schema + function surface (functionSpec/source) as the source of truth — never describe behavior the code doesn't show; flag ambiguity instead of guessing.

  • Lead with the two things a newcomer most needs and skimming most often gets wrong: the data-model relationship graph and the public-vs-internal function split.

  • State the auth/ownership model plainly, including 'there is no auth foundation' when that's the case — but DESCRIBE it; auditing it for holes is convex-authz's job.

  • Descriptive, not evaluative: explain-app maps what IS and hands judgment to the audit capabilities and changes to the fixers.

  • Read-only: any deployment introspection is read-only (deploy-guard); the app is not modified.

  • End by pointing at the right next verb (audit → reviewer/authz, score → launch-readiness, extend → design/expert).

Files

SKILL.md

<!-- GENERATED from convex-agents content/capabilities/explain-app.json — do not edit by hand. -->

Explain this Convex app

Before you can safely change an app you have to know what it is — and reading 15 function files top-to-bottom is slow and error-prone. This capability produces the map fast and accurately by reading the two sources that can't lie: the schema (the data model) and the function surface (functionSpec / the exported queries/mutations/actions). It is deliberately DESCRIPTIVE — it explains what IS, hands judgment to the audit capabilities and changes to the fixers. It is also the natural first step of an optimize or self-heal session, and the reusable 're-explain the current architecture' that 'change what you built' depends on.

Workflow

  1. DETECT the app: the convex/ directory, schema.ts, and whether a deployment exists (if one does, functionSpec/tables via the official MCP give the authoritative live surface; if not, read the source directly). deploy-guard classifies any deployment read as read-only.

  2. DATA MODEL: from schema.ts, list every table with its fields and, crucially, its RELATIONSHIPS — which v.id("other") fields point where, and which indexes exist (indexes reveal the intended access paths). Draw the foreign-key graph in words: 'tasks belong to projects (projectId) and users (ownerId); messages belong to conversations'.

  3. FUNCTION SURFACE: enumerate every exported function, split PUBLIC (query/mutation/action — the attack/API surface) from INTERNAL (internalQuery/... — not client-reachable), and for each give a one-line 'what it does + what it touches'. The public/internal split is the single most important thing a newcomer needs and the thing source-skimming most often gets wrong.

  4. AUTH / OWNERSHIP MODEL: state how identity is established (auth.config.ts provider? a users table keyed by tokenIdentifier?) and how ownership is enforced (is there a requireOwner-style check? which field is the owner?). Say plainly if there is NO auth foundation — that is load-bearing context for anyone about to change the app. (Describe the model; do not audit it for holes — that's convex-authz.)

  5. COMPONENTS + EXTERNAL EDGES: list the @convex-dev/* components installed (convex.config.ts) and what they provide, the HTTP routes (http.ts) and crons, and any external calls in actions (which APIs, which env vars).

  6. FLOW: trace 1-2 representative end-to-end paths ('client calls createTask → validates → inserts into tasks scoped to the caller → listMyTasks reads it back by the by_owner index') so the reader sees the moving parts connected, not just catalogued.

  7. PRESENT as a scannable map (data model → public/internal functions → auth model → components/edges → a flow or two), accurate to the source. End by pointing at the next verbs: convex-reviewer/convex-authz to audit it, launch-readiness to score it, design/convex-expert to extend it. Never invent behavior the source doesn't show; if something is ambiguous, say so rather than guessing.

Rules

  • Read the schema + function surface (functionSpec/source) as the source of truth — never describe behavior the code doesn't show; flag ambiguity instead of guessing.

  • Lead with the two things a newcomer most needs and skimming most often gets wrong: the data-model relationship graph and the public-vs-internal function split.

  • State the auth/ownership model plainly, including 'there is no auth foundation' when that's the case — but DESCRIBE it; auditing it for holes is convex-authz's job.

  • Descriptive, not evaluative: explain-app maps what IS and hands judgment to the audit capabilities and changes to the fixers.

  • Read-only: any deployment introspection is read-only (deploy-guard); the app is not modified.

  • End by pointing at the right next verb (audit → reviewer/authz, score → launch-readiness, extend → design/expert).

Requirements and compatibility

Works with: Claude Code, Claude apps, OpenAI Codex, GitHub Copilot, Cursor, Gemini CLI, Kiro, OpenCode, Goose, Amp, Roo Code, JetBrains Junie, Factory Droid, Devin (ex-Windsurf), Mistral Vibe, OpenHands, Letta

“Works with” means the tool reads the open Agent Skills format; a skill written for one tool may use features others lack.

Security

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Attribution and licence

Published by
Convex
Publisher
Convex (Official)
Source
convex/agent-skills · skills/convex-explain-app · commit f60629d
Licence
Apache License 2.0 (redistribution allowed)
  • LICENSE (added by AutoGineer from LICENSE)
  • ATTRIBUTION.md (written by AutoGineer)
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Download ZIP

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