ExplainThisRepo is a CLI (Command Line Interface) tool that generates plain-English explanations of public GitHub repositories by analyzing repository structure, README content, and selected high-signal files. It's designed to help developers quickly understand what any public GitHub repository does by analyzing its contents and creating an EXPLAIN.md file.
This tool solves the problem of understanding unfamiliar codebases. It speeds up onboarding by turning repository structure and code signals into a clear, readable explanation of any public GitHub repository.
- Fetches public GitHub repositories automatically
- Analyzes repository structure and high-signal source files, not just README
- Uses real repository data (file tree, configs, entrypoints) to ground explanations
- Extracts repo signals from key files (package.json, pyproject.toml, config files, entrypoints)
- Builds a file tree summary to understand project architecture
- Detects programming languages via the GitHub API
- Accepts repositories via owner/repo, GitHub URLs (with or without https), including issue/PR links and query strings, and SSH clone links
- Generates clear explanations in plain English
- Outputs an EXPLAIN.md file in your current directory (default mode)
- Multi-mode command-line interface
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(no flag) → Full repository explanation written to EXPLAIN.md
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--quick → One-sentence summary
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--simple → Short, easy explanation
-
--detailed → Deeper explanation including structure and architecture
-
--stack → Tech stack breakdown from repo signals
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--version → Show CLI version
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--help → Show usage guide
Requirements: Python 3.9+
pip install explainthisrepo
explainthisrepo owner/repoAlternatively,
pipx install explainthisrepo
explainthisrepo owner/repoInstall globally and use forever:
npm install -g explainthisrepo
explainthisrepo owner/repo
# or: npx explainthisrepo owner/repoYou don’t need to reformat links anymore.
ExplainThisRepo accepts GitHub repositories the way you actually copy them.
explainthisrepo https://github.com/owner/repo
explainthisrepo github.com/owner/repo
explainthisrepo https://github.com/owner/repo/issues/123
explainthisrepo https://github.com/owner/repo?tab=readme
explainthisrepo git@github.com:owner/repo.gitAll inputs are normalized internally to owner/repo. No change to engine behavior. Just less friction.
Generate a full explanation and saves it to EXPLAIN.md:
explainthisrepo owner/repoExample:
explainthisrepo facebook/reactGet a one-sentence definition (prints only, no file created):
explainthisrepo owner/repo --quickExample:
explainthisrepo facebook/react --quick
Generate a more detailed explanation (includes architecture / folder structure):
explainthisrepo owner/repo --detailed
Prints only the simple output (no EXPLAIN.md)
explainthisrepo owner/repo --simple
Get a tech stack breakdown detected from repo signals. No AI explanation. Prints only.
explainthisrepo owner/repo --stack
Print the installed version:
explainthisrepo --versionCheck environment + connectivity (useful for debugging):
explainthisrepo --doctorExplainThisRepo uses Gemini models for code analysis.
Set your API key as an environment variable.
macOS / Linux
export GEMINI_API_KEY="your_api_key_here"
Windows (PowerShell)
setx GEMINI_API_KEY "your_api_key_here"Restart your terminal after setting the key.
Termux has some environment limitations that can make pip install explainthisrepo fail to create the explainthisrepo command in $PREFIX/bin.
pip install --user -U explainthisrepoMake sure your user bin directory is on your PATH:
export PATH="$HOME/.local/bin:$PATH"Tip: Add the PATH export to your ~/.bashrc or ~/.zshrc so it persists.
Alternative (No PATH changes)
If you do not want to modify PATH, you can run ExplainThisRepo as a module:
python -m explain_this_repo owner/repoGemini support on Termux (Optional)
Installing Gemini support may require building Rust-based dependencies on Android, which can take time on first install:
pip install --user -U "explainthisrepo[gemini]"Contributions are welcome!
If you find a bug, have an idea, or want to improve the tool:
- See CONTRIBUTING for setup and guidelines
- Open an issue for bugs/feature requests
- Or submit a pull request for fixes/improvements
This project is licensed under the MIT License. See the LICENSE file for details.
Caleb Wodi
