When writing Clojure code with unfamiliar APIs, gather context before writing. This skill focuses on Java interop and macros.
When to Use This Skill
Automatically use this skill whenever you encounter:
- A Java class that needs to be used from Clojure
- A macro whose behavior is unclear (need to see what it expands to)
Workflow: Java Interop
1. Search for Clojure Wrappers First
Before exploring the Java class directly, ask:
"I see you're working with
java.time.LocalDateTime. Would you like me to search for a Clojure wrapper library? Wrappers often provide simpler, more idiomatic APIs."
- "Search for wrapper" → Use WebSearch to find
clojure wrapper for <library-name> - "Use Java directly" → Skip to Java exploration below
2. Explore the Java Class
If using Java directly, use brepl to reflect on the class:
brepl <<'EOF'
(require '[clojure.reflect :as r])
; Get all public methods
(->> (r/reflect java.time.LocalDateTime)
:members
(filter #(instance? clojure.reflect.Method %))
(map :name)
sort)
EOF
Document findings:
- Available constructors or factory methods (e.g.,
now(),of()) - Key methods and their return types
- Common patterns in your codebase
Workflow: Macro Exploration
When working with macros, expand them to understand what code they generate:
brepl <<'EOF'
(macroexpand-1 '(your-macro args)) ; expand one level
(macroexpand '(your-macro args)) ; fully expand
EOF
Macro expansion reveals:
- What actual code runs when you use the macro
- Hidden function calls or side effects
- Whether the macro does what you think it does