What’s Your Approach to Navigating a New Codebase?

If I'm not familiar with the framework, I typically dive into the documentation first. If I know the framework, I’ll scan the structure for anything odd and investigate those bits before getting started.

I usually begin by checking out the part I need to work on. Then I take time to debug different flows to grasp how everything connects. You can’t learn it all at once, especially if the codebase is large, so I focus on smaller sections until I've got a solid understanding before moving on to the next part.

Reading the README and package.json is a great starting point for me. After that, I find the entry point and use ctrl-click to explore functions until I locate the necessary changes. It’s like piecing together a puzzle while you get a feel for the structure. Sometimes I even ask AI for summaries on unfamiliar libraries!

I've found it helpful to gain a high-level overview of the code architecture. Then, I tackle simple tasks to familiarize myself before taking on more complex ones. Gradually, this builds my confidence and understanding.