How to onboard onto a new codebase effectively — a systematic approach Joining a New Codebase: A Practical Tutorial to Becoming Productive Fast 1. Start with the Big Picture (Before You Read Code) Don't dive into files immediately. First, understand why the codebase exists and what problem it solves . Step What to Do Why It Matters Read the README Find the project's purpose, tech stack, and setup instructions Gives you the 10,000-foot view Study the folder structure List top-level directories to see how code is organized Reveals architectural boundaries Find design/docs Look for docs/ , architecture docs, or ADRs Shows original intent and future goals Understand the business domain Learn domain keywords, concepts, and user workflows Context makes code readable Key insight: Understand the "why" before the "how". Most code moves data from input to output-think of it as a maze where you feed data in and watch it travel. 2. Find Entry Points Every application has a starting point.…