Repo Bootcamp CLI
A CLI that analyzes a GitHub, GitLab or Bitbucket repository and builds a document kit for a new developer's first day.
- 137 ★ on the repository
- Last commit
- MIT
Extended access
Why this level
- The tool clones a repository and sends its contents to a model through the Copilot SDK.
- The `--watch-force` mode allows `git reset --hard`, and `--create-issues` creates GitHub issues.
Install
- Works in
Manual install
npx repo-bootcamp@2.0.0 https://github.com/sindresorhus/kyThe first command from the README. Fallback: the GitHub release archive and `npm install --global ./repo-bootcamp-2.0.0.tgz`.
Access and checks
How we reviewExtended accessThe tool runs code or makes network calls and only reads external data.
- The tool clones a repository and sends its contents to a model through the Copilot SDK.
- The `--watch-force` mode allows `git reset --hard`, and `--create-issues` creates GitHub issues.
This is third-party code. Review the repository files before installing.
What it does
Repo Bootcamp takes a repository address and studies code, documentation, workflows and dependencies through the GitHub Copilot SDK. The output is a directory with `BOOTCAMP.md` as a one-page overview, `ONBOARDING.md` with environment setup, `ARCHITECTURE.md` with Mermaid diagrams, `CODEMAP.md`, `FIRST_TASKS.md` with starter tasks, and health scores. Beyond the general `bootcamp <url>` command there are separate ones: `ask` answers questions about the repository, `diff` analyzes a pull request, `preflight` checks your machine against the toolchain the project declares, and `owners` shows whom to ask. The `--no-clone` flag takes a local folder.
Who it is for. Maintainers and team leads who need to get people into an unfamiliar repository fast, and developers learning someone else's code.
Good fit when
- A new person joins the team and the README and wiki are out of date.
- Before a first contribution to someone else's project you want a directory map and a list of starter tasks.
- An agent needs machine-readable facts before work: `repo_facts.json` and `summary.json`.
- A pull request touches many files and you want to see how it affects onboarding.
Not a fit when
- There is no GitHub Copilot subscription: the tool works through the Copilot SDK.
- Code must not be sent to an external service, especially with the `--live` flag.
- The repository is small and reading it yourself takes half an hour.
Example request
Build an onboarding kit for this repository with `bootcamp`, show `FIRST_TASKS.md` and the three main items from `RADAR.md`.Limitations
It needs Node.js 22.18 or newer on the 22 line or Node.js 24, Copilot SDK access through a GitHub Copilot subscription and the `GITHUB_TOKEN` variable. Health scores are heuristics rather than an audit. Found commands and starter tasks may include a source excerpt: a text match locates the place but does not prove the recommendation is safe to run. The `--live` flag sends the contents of selected repositories to Copilot and consumes model limits. `--create-issues` needs an authorized `gh`. The `--watch-force` mode allows `git reset --hard`.
How to disable. Remove the package with `npm uninstall -g repo-bootcamp` if installed globally, and clear the generated `bootcamp-<repository>` directories and the cache with `bootcamp cache clear`.
FAQ
How do I run Repo Bootcamp?
Run `npx repo-bootcamp@2.0.0 https://github.com/sindresorhus/ky`. If the npm package is unavailable, install the archive from the GitHub release and run `bootcamp <URL>`.
Which files does the tool create?
The `BOOTCAMP.md` overview, `ONBOARDING.md` setup, `ARCHITECTURE.md` with diagrams, `CODEMAP.md`, `FIRST_TASKS.md`, plus `DEPENDENCIES.md`, `SECURITY.md`, `RADAR.md`, `HEALTH.md` and `repo_facts.json` for automation.
Can it analyze a monorepo?
Yes. The `--subdir packages/app` flag limits analysis to the chosen directory, and the command reads docs and dependencies from there.
Is a Copilot subscription required?
Yes, for generation. The separate `preflight` and `doctor` commands run locally: the first checks your machine against the project toolchain, the second checks your environment.
How do I speed it up?
Add `--fast`: key files go into the prompt, tools are skipped, and a run takes about 15–30 seconds.
Discussion
No questions or reviews yet.
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Comparison with similar tools
Cards that share the main search query, and how they differ.
| Tool | Official | Authentication | Repository stars | Main difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Repo Bootcamp (this card) | no | 137 | ||
| Repomix | no | not required | 29,259 | Repomix packs a repository into one file for a model; Repo Bootcamp analyzes the code itself and writes documents for a newcomer |
| codemap | no | 714 | codemap counts import links and edit impact; Repo Bootcamp adds setup, architecture and first-task guides on top |
README in short
The project won the GitHub Copilot SDK contest and shows the SDK's agentic work on an onboarding task. The description covers output files, options, output styles and the programmatic API in detail.