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Coding in a Repository

Lets the agent investigate, edit, test and verify code changes inside a project using Leon's file, search and shell tools.

Repository
leon-ai/leon
Stars
17,627
Licence
MIT
Files
1 file

What it does

Once installed, the agent works on code in a real project folder in a disciplined way: it reads the project's instructions and nearby code first, reproduces bugs before fixing them, makes targeted edits, and runs the project's own tests and checks before reporting back. It is also careful about scope, so it will not commit, push or publish anything unless you ask, and it protects any uncommitted work you already have in the repository.

Great for

  • Developers who want an agent to make and verify changes in an existing repository
  • Teams using Leon's agent framework who want consistent, test-driven coding behaviour
  • People who want the agent to respect AGENTS.md project rules and Git state

Skip it if

  • Anyone who expects it to work without Leon's tool set, since the instructions depend on Leon's file.read, file.patch and shell tools (it is not a standalone coding tool)
  • Unattended use on repositories with important uncommitted work, because it is designed to preserve but can still make mistakes in edits and checks
  • Non-technical users looking for a general writing or design helper

Try asking

  • “Investigate why the login tests fail on the main branch, reproduce the bug, then fix it and show me the passing test output”
  • “Add a new CLI flag to the export command in this repo, following the AGENTS.md rules, and run the affected tests”
  • “Refactor the date helper functions across these three files and verify nothing else breaks”
  • “Review my unstaged changes, finish the feature, and suggest a commit message without committing”
Step-by-step guide: how to use Coding in a RepositoryInstall, first run, examples, tips and FAQs

Install in 3 steps

  1. 1

    Download the skill

    The ZIP contains the 1 original files, the MIT licence and an attribution note.

    coding.zip
  2. 2

    Add it to your agent

    Claude Code (all projects)

    mkdir -p ~/.claude/skills && unzip coding.zip -d ~/.claude/skills/

    Claude Code / Agent SDK (this project only)

    mkdir -p .claude/skills && unzip coding.zip -d .claude/skills/

    Claude apps (web/desktop): Settings → Capabilities → Skills → Upload skill, and choose the ZIP.

  3. 3

    Ask for the task

    No special command needed — the agent reads the skill's description and loads it when your request matches. Try one of the prompts above.

Get better results

  • Name the repository path and the exact task, and state any boundaries such as no commits or no pushes, so the agent's scope matches your intent.
  • Ask for a plan with acceptance criteria first if the change is large; the skill records these in plan details.
  • Commit or stash your own work before a large run, and review the final diff yourself, since the agent runs project commands and edits files.

What's inside

  • SKILL.md

Redistributed unmodified from leon-ai/leon under the MIT licence. The assessment was drafted with AI from the skill's files on 2026-10-29. Skills can instruct your agent to run code — read SKILL.md and any scripts before installing.