---
name: "librarian"
description: "Cache and refresh remote Git repositories when inspecting their source."
metadata:
  createdAt: "2026-09-11T18:46:00.191358+00:00"
  repoUrl: "https://skillz.supply/skills/did:plc:xbtmt2zjwlrfegqvch7fboei/skills.librarian/SKILL.md"
---

Use this skill when the user points you to a remote git repository (GitHub/GitLab/Bitbucket URLs, `git@...`, or `owner/repo` shorthand).

The goal is to keep a reusable local checkout that is:
- **stable** (predictable path)
- **up to date** (periodic fetch + fast-forward when safe)
- **efficient** (partial clone with `--filter=blob:none`, no repeated full clones)

## Cache location

Repositories are stored at:

`~/.cache/checkouts/<host>/<org>/<repo>`

Example:

`github.com/mitsuhiko/minijinja` → `~/.cache/checkouts/github.com/mitsuhiko/minijinja`

## Command

```bash
bash checkout.sh <repo> --path-only
```

Examples:

```bash
bash checkout.sh mitsuhiko/minijinja --path-only
bash checkout.sh github.com/mitsuhiko/minijinja --path-only
bash checkout.sh https://github.com/mitsuhiko/minijinja --path-only
```

The script will:
1. Parse the repo reference into host/org/repo.
2. Clone if missing.
3. Reuse existing checkout if present.
4. Fetch from `origin` when stale (default interval: 300s).
5. Attempt a fast-forward merge if the checkout is clean and has an upstream.

## Update strategy

- Default behavior is **throttled refresh** (every 5 minutes) to avoid unnecessary network calls.
- Force immediate refresh with:

```bash
bash checkout.sh <repo> --force-update --path-only
```

## Recommended workflow

1. Resolve repository path via `checkout.sh --path-only`.
2. Use that path for searching, reading, and analysis.
3. On later references to the same repo, call `checkout.sh` again; it will find and update the cached checkout.

## If edits are needed

Prefer not to edit directly in the shared cache. Create a separate worktree or copy from the cached checkout for task-specific modifications.

## Notes

- `owner/repo` defaults to `github.com`.