How do I access the code that underlies a specific LaTeX package command?

Question

For instance, \legend in a pgfplots bar chart. But in general, it would help as well.

In this particular case because I'm trying to build a legend outside an axis environment.

I was hoping there'd be a better way than to go trawling through all of GitHubs folders.

\show\command but when I tried it with \legend it came up as undefined — JamesT, May 11 '23 at 10:00
Does this answer your question? Difference between \the, \showthe and \show commands? — JamesT, May 11 '23 at 10:00

score 4 · Accepted Answer · answered May 11 '23 at 10:11

As a general answer:

You can always retrieve its .sty or .cls file on your system, or from the ctan repository, and inspect the file, well best its copy. Use your favorite ASCII editor with useful syntax highlighting.

Also, many packages describe their code in detail by mixing code with documentation.

Be prepared to go through long files.

How do I access the code that underlies a specific LaTeX package command?

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