Overview
Working with large codebases presents unique challenges that require different strategies than smaller projects. Based on experience with complex game projects and enterprise codebases, this guide covers proven techniques for managing increased complexity in Summer.Understanding Large Codebase Challenges
Common Issues
- Context Overload: Too much information for the AI to process effectively
- Scope Creep: Changes affecting unintended parts of the codebase
- Pattern Inconsistency: Different coding styles across the project
- Navigation Difficulty: Finding relevant code in thousands of files
Summer’s Approach
Summer’s Project Intelligence automatically indexes your codebase to understand:- File relationships and dependencies
- Code patterns and architectural decisions
- Your team’s coding conventions
- Project-specific context and domain knowledge
Getting Up to Speed Quickly
Use Chat for Exploration
When joining a large project or exploring unfamiliar code, start with broad questions:Follow the Data Flow
Understand how data moves through your system:Map Dependencies
Get a high-level view of how systems connect:Effective Context Management
Start Broad, Then Narrow
Begin with general questions to understand the landscape: Step 1: High-level understandingUse Rules for Consistency
Document your project’s patterns and conventions using Summer’s Rules system:Reference Similar Implementations
When adding new features, reference existing patterns:Strategic Planning
Break Down Large Changes
Instead of requesting massive changes, plan incrementally: ❌ Too Broad:Use Ask Mode for Planning
Before implementing, use Summer’s Ask mode to create detailed plans:Choosing the Right Tools
Tool Selection Guide
Tool | Best For | Large Codebase Strengths | Limitations |
---|---|---|---|
Tab Completion | Quick, localized changes | Fast, doesn’t require context loading | Single file only |
Inline Edit | Focused modifications | Surgical changes without affecting other code | Limited to visible code |
Chat | Multi-file changes, exploration | Can understand project architecture | Slower, requires more context |
Chat Best Practices for Large Projects
Start Fresh Frequently- Begin new chats for different features or bug fixes
- Avoid letting conversations become too long and unfocused
- Summarize important context when starting new chats
Code Organization Strategies
Maintain Consistent Patterns
Document and enforce architectural patterns: Singleton Pattern Documentation:Component-Based Architecture
For large games, organize code into reusable components:System Boundaries
Define clear boundaries between systems:Performance Considerations
Selective Context Loading
For very large projects, be strategic about context:Incremental Development
Build and test changes incrementally:Team Collaboration
Shared Context Rules
Create team-wide rules for consistency:Documentation Generation
Use Summer to maintain documentation:Debugging Large Systems
Systematic Debugging
Approach bugs methodically in large codebases:Isolation Testing
Test systems in isolation:Takeaways
- Start broad, then narrow: Understand the big picture before diving into specifics
- Use Rules extensively: Document patterns and conventions for consistency
- Plan before implementing: Use Ask mode to create detailed plans for large changes
- Choose appropriate tools: Match the tool to the task complexity
- Maintain clear boundaries: Keep systems decoupled and responsibilities clear
- Work incrementally: Break large changes into smaller, testable pieces
- Create fresh contexts: Start new chats frequently to maintain focus