Cache and refresh remote git repositories under ~/.cache/checkouts/<host>/<org>/<repo> so future references can reuse a local copy. Use this skill when the user points you to a remote git repository as reference or you encountered a remote git repo through other means.
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---
name: librarian
description: "Cache and refresh remote git repositories under ~/.cache/checkouts/<host>/<org>/<repo> so future references can reuse a local copy. Use this skill when the user points you to a remote git repository as reference or you encountered a remote git repo through other means."
---
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`.
