---

name: makefile-review description: |

Triggers: makefile, make, automation, portability, review Audit Makefiles for duplication, portability, and idiomatic GNU Make usage.

Triggers: Makefile review, build system, GNU Make, portability, deduplication, pattern rules, automatic variables, dependency graph

Use when: auditing Makefiles, reviewing build system, checking portability, eliminating recipe duplication

DO NOT use when: creating new Makefiles - use abstract:make-dogfood. DO NOT use when: architecture review - use architecture-review.

Use this skill for Makefile audit and optimization. category: build tags: [makefile, build, make, portability, automation] tools: [dependency-mapper, dedup-finder, portability-checker] usage_patterns:

• makefile-audit
• build-optimization
• portability-review
• deduplication complexity: intermediate estimated_tokens: 150 progressive_loading: true dependencies: [pensive:shared, imbue:evidence-logging] modules:
• dependency-graph
• deduplication-patterns
• portability-checks
• best-practices

---

Table of Contents

• Quick Start
• When to Use
• Required TodoWrite Items
• Workflow
• Step 1: Map Context (makefile-review:context-mapped)
• Step 2: Dependency Graph (makefile-review:dependency-graph)
• Step 3: Deduplication Audit (makefile-review:dedup-candidates)
• Step 4: Portability Check (makefile-review:tooling-alignment)
• Step 5: Evidence Log (makefile-review:evidence-logged)
• Progressive Loading
• Output Format
• Summary
• Context
• Dependency Analysis
• Duplication Candidates
• [D1] Repeated command
• Portability Issues
• Missing Targets
• Recommendation
• Exit Criteria

Makefile Review Workflow

Audit Makefiles for best practices, deduplication, and portability.

Quick Start

/makefile-review

Verification: Run the command with --help flag to verify availability.

When to Use

• Makefile changes or additions
• Build system optimization
• Portability improvements
• CI/CD pipeline updates
• Developer experience improvements

Required TodoWrite Items

1. makefile-review:context-mapped
2. makefile-review:dependency-graph
3. makefile-review:dedup-candidates
4. makefile-review:tooling-alignment
5. makefile-review:evidence-logged

Workflow

Step 1: Map Context (makefile-review:context-mapped)

Confirm baseline:

pwd && git status -sb && git diff --stat

Verification: Run git status to confirm working tree state.

Find Make-related files:

rg -n "^include" -g'Makefile*'
rg --files -g '*.mk'

Verification: Run the command with --help flag to verify availability.

Document changed targets, project goals, and tooling requirements.

Step 2: Dependency Graph (makefile-review:dependency-graph)

@include modules/dependency-graph.md

Step 3: Deduplication Audit (makefile-review:dedup-candidates)

@include modules/deduplication-patterns.md

Step 4: Portability Check (makefile-review:tooling-alignment)

@include modules/portability-checks.md

Step 5: Evidence Log (makefile-review:evidence-logged)

Use imbue:evidence-logging to record command outputs with file:line references.

Summarize findings:

• Severity (critical, major, minor)
• Expected impact
• Suggested refactors
• Owners and dates for follow-ups

Progressive Loading

Load additional context as needed:

Best Practices & Examples: @include modules/best-practices.md

Output Format

## Summary
Makefile review findings

## Context
- Files reviewed: [list]
- Targets changed: [list]

## Dependency Analysis
[graph and issues]

## Duplication Candidates
### [D1] Repeated command
- Locations: [list]
- Recommendation: [pattern rule]

## Portability Issues
[cross-platform concerns]

## Missing Targets
- [ ] help
- [ ] format
- [ ] lint

## Recommendation
Approve / Approve with actions / Block

Verification: Run the command with --help flag to verify availability.

Exit Criteria

• Context mapped
• Dependencies analyzed
• Deduplication reviewed
• Portability checked
• Evidence logged

Troubleshooting

Common Issues

Command not found Ensure all dependencies are installed and in PATH

Permission errors Check file permissions and run with appropriate privileges

Unexpected behavior Enable verbose logging with --verbose flag