# Reverse-Skill Project Structure Explained: Modular Routing System for Reverse Engineering

> Discover the reverse-skill project structure, a modular skill router organizing documentation, routing rules, skills, helpers, and a CTF sandbox. Learn how this system streamlines reverse engineering workflows.

- Repository: [ZhaoXu/reverse-skill](https://github.com/zhaoxuya520/reverse-skill)
- Tags: architecture
- Published: 2026-08-04

---

**The reverse-skill repository is organized as a modular skill router with a top-level layout grouping core documentation, global routing rules, an extensive skills collection, platform-specific helpers, and a CTF sandbox orchestrator.**

This open-source project by zhaoxuya520 implements a **task-to-skill routing system** designed for AI agents and security analysts performing reverse engineering, penetration testing, and CTF challenges. The structure enables automatic selection of appropriate tooling workflows based on the target technology.

---

## Root Directory: Global Documentation and Rules

The repository root contains essential configuration and entry points that govern all downstream operations.

- **[`README.md`](https://github.com/zhaoxuya520/reverse-skill/blob/main/README.md)** — High-level overview and quick-start guide for the project
- **[`RULES.md`](https://github.com/zhaoxuya520/reverse-skill/blob/main/RULES.md)** — Global routing rules that enforce scope and authorization checks before any skill execution

These files establish the **governance layer** that every routing decision must satisfy.

---

## The skills/ Directory: Core Routing Matrix

The `skills/` directory is the heart of reverse-skill, containing the routing infrastructure and all specialized skill implementations.

### Primary Routing Files

| File | Purpose |
|------|---------|
| [`skills/MASTER-ROUTING.md`](https://github.com/zhaoxuya520/reverse-skill/blob/main/skills/MASTER-ROUTING.md) | Fast-track ladder for immediate task routing |
| [`skills/routing.md`](https://github.com/zhaoxuya520/reverse-skill/blob/main/skills/routing.md) | Complete task-to-skill mapping matrix |
| [`skills/SKILL.md`](https://github.com/zhaoxuya520/reverse-skill/blob/main/skills/SKILL.md) | Central entry point for the router |

The [`skills/routing.md`](https://github.com/zhaoxuya520/reverse-skill/blob/main/skills/routing.md) file implements the **lookup table** that maps incoming task descriptions to their corresponding skill directories, while [`MASTER-ROUTING.md`](https://github.com/zhaoxuya520/reverse-skill/blob/main/MASTER-ROUTING.md) provides shortcuts for common operations.

### Operations Contracts (skills/ops/)

The `skills/ops/` subdirectory defines **Ops contracts** — standardized scaffolding for:

- Case directory structure
- Evidence chain handling
- Role mapping and authorization
- Timeline management

These contracts ensure consistent handling across all skill executions.

### Router Scripts (skills/scripts/)

PowerShell and Bash scripts implement the routing logic:

```powershell

# Primary routing script — reads RULES.md and launches appropriate skill

skills/scripts/master-route.ps1

# Case initialization — creates work/<case>/ with required files

skills/scripts/case-init.ps1

# Tool index refresh — populates skills/tool-index.md with local tools

skills/scripts/refresh-tool-index.ps1

```

---

## Skill Families: Technology-Specific Workflows

Individual skill directories target specific reverse-engineering domains. Each contains specialized scripts, configurations, and tool orchestration.

### Binary and Mobile Analysis

| Directory | Target Technology |
|-----------|-------------------|
| `skills/apk-reverse/` | Android APK analysis (jadx, apktool, Frida) |
| `skills/mobile-reverse/` | iOS and general mobile reverse engineering |
| `skills/ida-reverse/` | Binary analysis with IDA Pro |
| `skills/radare2/` | Open-source binary analysis |
| `skills/dotnet-reverse/` | .NET / C# decompilation and analysis |

### Web and API Security

| Directory | Purpose |
|-----------|---------|
| `skills/js-reverse/` | JavaScript deobfuscation and encrypted-parameter handling |
| `skills/api-security/` | REST, GraphQL, and API endpoint testing |

### Offensive Security and Exploitation

| Directory | Focus |
|-----------|-------|
| `skills/pentest-tools/` | Automated scanning, enumeration, exploitation |
| `skills/attack-chain/` | Red-team orchestration and chain building |
| `skills/pwn-chain/` | Exploit development workflows |
| `skills/firmware-pentest/` | IoT and firmware security analysis |

### Specialized Domains

- `skills/supply-chain-security/` — SBOM generation and dependency auditing
- `skills/llm-security/` — AI/LLM-specific security assessments
- `skills/diagram-generator/` — Automated report and visualization generation

Each skill directory follows a consistent internal structure with entry scripts ([`run.sh`](https://github.com/zhaoxuya520/reverse-skill/blob/main/run.sh), `run.ps1`) that abstract the underlying tool complexity.

---

## CTF-Sandbox-Orchestrator: Competition Environment

The `CTF-Sandbox-Orchestrator/` directory bundles **40+ sub-skills** into a self-contained environment optimized for CTF-style competitions. This component provides isolated execution contexts with pre-configured tooling chains.

See [[`CTF-Sandbox-Orchestrator/README.md`](https://github.com/zhaoxuya520/reverse-skill/blob/main/CTF-Sandbox-Orchestrator/README.md)](https://github.com/zhaoxuya520/reverse-skill/blob/main/CTF-Sandbox-Orchestrator/README.md) for setup instructions.

---

## Platform-Specific and Supporting Directories

### kali/ — Kali Linux Integration

Contains Kali-specific installation scripts and configuration notes:

- [[`kali/README-kali.md`](https://github.com/zhaoxuya520/reverse-skill/blob/main/kali/README-kali.md)](https://github.com/zhaoxuya520/reverse-skill/blob/main/kali/README-kali.md) — Platform guidance for Kali users
- Custom refresh scripts for the Kali tool distribution

### docs/ — Supplemental Documentation

| File | Content |
|------|---------|
| [`docs/ARCHITECTURE.md`](https://github.com/zhaoxuya520/reverse-skill/blob/main/docs/ARCHITECTURE.md) | Detailed architectural diagrams |
| [`docs/platforms/linux.md`](https://github.com/zhaoxuya520/reverse-skill/blob/main/docs/platforms/linux.md) | Linux-specific setup instructions |
| `docs/release-notes/` | Version history and changelogs |

### work/ — Runtime Case Directories

This **git-ignored** directory holds dynamically generated case folders at `work/<case-name>/`. The `case-init.ps1` script populates each case with:

- [`scope.md`](https://github.com/zhaoxuya520/reverse-skill/blob/main/scope.md) — Engagement boundaries
- [`timeline.md`](https://github.com/zhaoxuya520/reverse-skill/blob/main/timeline.md) — Event tracking
- Evidence chain files

### burp-mcp-full/ — HTTP Capture Integration

Example Burp Suite MCP extension (Java) enabling the router to perform HTTP capture and replay operations.

---

## Practical Usage Examples

### Refresh Local Tool Index

```bash

# Linux / macOS

bash skills/scripts/refresh-tool-index.sh

# Windows PowerShell

powershell -File skills/scripts/refresh-tool-index.ps1

```

### Execute Primary Router

```powershell
powershell -NoProfile -ExecutionPolicy Bypass -File skills/scripts/master-route.ps1 -Hint "apk analysis"

```

The router parses [`RULES.md`](https://github.com/zhaoxuya520/reverse-skill/blob/main/RULES.md) for authorization, consults [`skills/MASTER-ROUTING.md`](https://github.com/zhaoxuya520/reverse-skill/blob/main/skills/MASTER-ROUTING.md), and dispatches to `skills/apk-reverse/`.

### Initialize New Investigation Case

```powershell
powershell -NoProfile -ExecutionPolicy Bypass -File skills/scripts/case-init.ps1 -CaseName "target_assessment_2024"

```

Creates `work/target_assessment_2024/` with full ops contract structure.

---

## Summary

- **reverse-skill** implements a **modular skill router** with clear separation between governance ([`RULES.md`](https://github.com/zhaoxuya520/reverse-skill/blob/main/RULES.md)), routing logic ([`skills/MASTER-ROUTING.md`](https://github.com/zhaoxuya520/reverse-skill/blob/main/skills/MASTER-ROUTING.md)), and implementation (technology-specific skill directories)
- The `skills/scripts/` directory provides **PowerShell-based automation** for routing, case initialization, and tool discovery
- **Platform flexibility** is achieved through `/kali`, `/docs/platforms/`, and conditional script selection
- The **CTF-Sandbox-Orchestrator** extends the system for competition environments with 40+ bundled sub-skills
- Runtime artifacts are isolated in the **git-ignored `work/` directory**, keeping the repository clean while preserving case continuity

---

## Frequently Asked Questions

### What is the entry point for the reverse-skill router?

The primary entry point is [[`skills/SKILL.md`](https://github.com/zhaoxuya520/reverse-skill/blob/main/skills/SKILL.md)](https://github.com/zhaoxuya520/reverse-skill/blob/main/skills/SKILL.md), which serves as the central dispatcher. For fast-path routing, [[`skills/MASTER-ROUTING.md`](https://github.com/zhaoxuya520/reverse-skill/blob/main/skills/MASTER-ROUTING.md)](https://github.com/zhaoxuya520/reverse-skill/blob/main/skills/MASTER-ROUTING.md) provides direct ladder-based task resolution without full matrix traversal.

### How does reverse-skill enforce authorization and scope?

All routing decisions must satisfy rules defined in [[`RULES.md`](https://github.com/zhaoxuya520/reverse-skill/blob/main/RULES.md)](https://github.com/zhaoxuya520/reverse-skill/blob/main/RULES.md) at the repository root. The `skills/ops/` directory further implements **Ops contracts** that standardize case scaffolding, evidence chaining, and timeline handling across all executions.

### What platforms are officially supported?

The codebase provides **first-class support for Windows** (PowerShell scripts) and **Linux** (Bash scripts). A dedicated [`kali/`](https://github.com/zhaoxuya520/reverse-skill/tree/main/kali) directory offers specialized integration for Kali Linux, including platform-specific tool refreshes and documentation.

### How are new cases created and managed?

The [`skills/scripts/case-init.ps1`](https://github.com/zhaoxuya520/reverse-skill/blob/main/skills/scripts/case-init.ps1) script generates new case directories under `work/<case-name>/`, automatically populating required files including [`scope.md`](https://github.com/zhaoxuya520/reverse-skill/blob/main/scope.md), [`timeline.md`](https://github.com/zhaoxuya520/reverse-skill/blob/main/timeline.md), and evidence chain templates. The `work/` directory is git-ignored to prevent case data from entering version control.