How do I remove a reference repository when I'm finished?

Since the directory is ignored by Git, you can simply delete the specific subdirectory within the _reference folder or remove the entire folder to clear space.

Why does the skill use shallow clones for external repositories?

Shallow clones (using --depth 1) are used to save time and disk space, fetching only the latest state of the code since the historical data isn't needed for reference purposes.

Does this skill commit the reference code to my project repository?

No, the skill automatically adds the _reference/ directory to your .gitignore file to ensure external code remains strictly isolated from your project history.

Can I modify the code I've pulled into the reference directory?

The skill treats reference code as read-only. While you can technically edit the files for local testing, these changes are not tracked by Git and can be discarded at any time.

Git Reference Manager

Name: Git Reference Manager
Author: IndenScale

byIndenScale

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Learning & Documentation

Safely manages external Git repositories as isolated, read-only reference materials within your project sandbox.

About

The Git Reference Manager skill enables developers to formally introduce external repositories into their workspace for learning and architectural analysis without polluting the project's version control. It strictly enforces the Isolation Principle by automatically creating a dedicated reference directory, configuring .gitignore to exclude external assets, and performing shallow clones to save space. This allows you to search and study third-party source code, library architectures, and best practices in a clean, disposable environment that remains completely separate from your main codebase.

Key Features

Strict Isolation Principle enforcement via _reference directory
Automated .gitignore protection for external dependencies
Pattern-based searching across external source code
Read-only workflow patterns for code analysis
Optimized shallow cloning to minimize disk usage and time
5 GitHub stars

Use Cases

Finding specific code usage examples in external repositories
Analyzing third-party library source code for implementation details
Referencing architectural patterns from large-scale open-source projects

About

Key Features

Strict Isolation Principle enforcement via _reference directory
Automated .gitignore protection for external dependencies
Pattern-based searching across external source code
Read-only workflow patterns for code analysis
Optimized shallow cloning to minimize disk usage and time
5 GitHub stars

Use Cases

Finding specific code usage examples in external repositories
Analyzing third-party library source code for implementation details
Referencing architectural patterns from large-scale open-source projects