aide_discover
Scan the project for .aide spec files and return a tree map of their locations. With a path, show the ancestor chain and detailed subtree for guided exploration.
Instructions
Scan for .aide spec files in this project. Returns a tree map of where specs live, following progressive disclosure.
Without a path: returns a lightweight project-wide map — file locations and types only, no content. Use this once to understand the project's spec architecture.
With a path: the response opens with the ancestor chain — the cascading intent lineage from project root down to the target directory, with each ancestor showing its description and alignment status (aligned/misaligned when set). The ancestor chain gives you the full inherited context before you read a single spec body. After the ancestor chain comes the detailed subtree of the target directory — summaries extracted from file content and anomaly warnings. Use this to drill into the area you're working on.
.aide files are progressive disclosure specs that live next to orchestrator code — they contain intent (strategy, implementation contracts, anti-patterns), research (sources, data, patterns), or QA checklists (todo). Read .aide files BEFORE reading code — they are the context layer between folder structure and implementation details.
File types (.aide, intent.aide, research.aide, plan.aide, todo.aide):
.aide — Intent spec (default). Strategy, contracts, anti-patterns.
intent.aide — Same as .aide, used only when research.aide exists in the same folder.
research.aide — Raw research. Sources, data points, pattern synthesis.
plan.aide -- Architect's implementation plan. Checkboxed steps for the implementor.
todo.aide — QA re-alignment document. Captures where implementation drifted from intent.
Never have both .aide and intent.aide in the same folder.
Input Schema
| Name | Required | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|---|
| path | No | Subdirectory to drill into. When provided, the response opens with the ancestor chain — the cascading intent lineage from root to target, each ancestor showing its description and alignment status — followed by the detailed subtree with summaries and warnings. When omitted, returns a shallow project-wide map (locations and types only). |