@devo-bmad-custom/agent-orchestration 1.0.1 → 1.0.3

package/src/_memory/skills/writing-skills/SKILL.md

@@ -1,655 +1,655 @@
----
-name: writing-skills
-description: Use when creating new skills, editing existing skills, or verifying skills work before deployment
----
-
-# Writing Skills
-
-## Overview
-
-**Writing skills IS Test-Driven Development applied to process documentation.**
-
-**Personal skills live in agent-specific directories (`~/.claude/skills` for Claude Code, `~/.agents/skills/` for Codex)** 
-
-You write test cases (pressure scenarios with subagents), watch them fail (baseline behavior), write the skill (documentation), watch tests pass (agents comply), and refactor (close loopholes).
-
-**Core principle:** If you didn't watch an agent fail without the skill, you don't know if the skill teaches the right thing.
-
-**REQUIRED BACKGROUND:** You MUST understand superpowers:test-driven-development before using this skill. That skill defines the fundamental RED-GREEN-REFACTOR cycle. This skill adapts TDD to documentation.
-
-**Official guidance:** For Anthropic's official skill authoring best practices, see anthropic-best-practices.md. This document provides additional patterns and guidelines that complement the TDD-focused approach in this skill.
-
-## What is a Skill?
-
-A **skill** is a reference guide for proven techniques, patterns, or tools. Skills help future Claude instances find and apply effective approaches.
-
-**Skills are:** Reusable techniques, patterns, tools, reference guides
-
-**Skills are NOT:** Narratives about how you solved a problem once
-
-## TDD Mapping for Skills
-
-| TDD Concept | Skill Creation |
-|-------------|----------------|
-| **Test case** | Pressure scenario with subagent |
-| **Production code** | Skill document (SKILL.md) |
-| **Test fails (RED)** | Agent violates rule without skill (baseline) |
-| **Test passes (GREEN)** | Agent complies with skill present |
-| **Refactor** | Close loopholes while maintaining compliance |
-| **Write test first** | Run baseline scenario BEFORE writing skill |
-| **Watch it fail** | Document exact rationalizations agent uses |
-| **Minimal code** | Write skill addressing those specific violations |
-| **Watch it pass** | Verify agent now complies |
-| **Refactor cycle** | Find new rationalizations → plug → re-verify |
-
-The entire skill creation process follows RED-GREEN-REFACTOR.
-
-## When to Create a Skill
-
-**Create when:**
-- Technique wasn't intuitively obvious to you
-- You'd reference this again across projects
-- Pattern applies broadly (not project-specific)
-- Others would benefit
-
-**Don't create for:**
-- One-off solutions
-- Standard practices well-documented elsewhere
-- Project-specific conventions (put in CLAUDE.md)
-- Mechanical constraints (if it's enforceable with regex/validation, automate it—save documentation for judgment calls)
-
-## Skill Types
-
-### Technique
-Concrete method with steps to follow (condition-based-waiting, root-cause-tracing)
-
-### Pattern
-Way of thinking about problems (flatten-with-flags, test-invariants)
-
-### Reference
-API docs, syntax guides, tool documentation (office docs)
-
-## Directory Structure
-
-
-```
-skills/
-  skill-name/
-    SKILL.md              # Main reference (required)
-    supporting-file.*     # Only if needed
-```
-
-**Flat namespace** - all skills in one searchable namespace
-
-**Separate files for:**
-1. **Heavy reference** (100+ lines) - API docs, comprehensive syntax
-2. **Reusable tools** - Scripts, utilities, templates
-
-**Keep inline:**
-- Principles and concepts
-- Code patterns (< 50 lines)
-- Everything else
-
-## SKILL.md Structure
-
-**Frontmatter (YAML):**
-- Only two fields supported: `name` and `description`
-- Max 1024 characters total
-- `name`: Use letters, numbers, and hyphens only (no parentheses, special chars)
-- `description`: Third-person, describes ONLY when to use (NOT what it does)
-  - Start with "Use when..." to focus on triggering conditions
-  - Include specific symptoms, situations, and contexts
-  - **NEVER summarize the skill's process or workflow** (see CSO section for why)
-  - Keep under 500 characters if possible
-
-```markdown
----
-name: Skill-Name-With-Hyphens
-description: Use when [specific triggering conditions and symptoms]
----
-
-# Skill Name
-
-## Overview
-What is this? Core principle in 1-2 sentences.
-
-## When to Use
-[Small inline flowchart IF decision non-obvious]
-
-Bullet list with SYMPTOMS and use cases
-When NOT to use
-
-## Core Pattern (for techniques/patterns)
-Before/after code comparison
-
-## Quick Reference
-Table or bullets for scanning common operations
-
-## Implementation
-Inline code for simple patterns
-Link to file for heavy reference or reusable tools
-
-## Common Mistakes
-What goes wrong + fixes
-
-## Real-World Impact (optional)
-Concrete results
-```
-
-
-## Claude Search Optimization (CSO)
-
-**Critical for discovery:** Future Claude needs to FIND your skill
-
-### 1. Rich Description Field
-
-**Purpose:** Claude reads description to decide which skills to load for a given task. Make it answer: "Should I read this skill right now?"
-
-**Format:** Start with "Use when..." to focus on triggering conditions
-
-**CRITICAL: Description = When to Use, NOT What the Skill Does**
-
-The description should ONLY describe triggering conditions. Do NOT summarize the skill's process or workflow in the description.
-
-**Why this matters:** Testing revealed that when a description summarizes the skill's workflow, Claude may follow the description instead of reading the full skill content. A description saying "code review between tasks" caused Claude to do ONE review, even though the skill's flowchart clearly showed TWO reviews (spec compliance then code quality).
-
-When the description was changed to just "Use when executing implementation plans with independent tasks" (no workflow summary), Claude correctly read the flowchart and followed the two-stage review process.
-
-**The trap:** Descriptions that summarize workflow create a shortcut Claude will take. The skill body becomes documentation Claude skips.
-
-```yaml
-# ❌ BAD: Summarizes workflow - Claude may follow this instead of reading skill
-description: Use when executing plans - dispatches subagent per task with code review between tasks
-
-# ❌ BAD: Too much process detail
-description: Use for TDD - write test first, watch it fail, write minimal code, refactor
-
-# ✅ GOOD: Just triggering conditions, no workflow summary
-description: Use when executing implementation plans with independent tasks in the current session
-
-# ✅ GOOD: Triggering conditions only
-description: Use when implementing any feature or bugfix, before writing implementation code
-```
-
-**Content:**
-- Use concrete triggers, symptoms, and situations that signal this skill applies
-- Describe the *problem* (race conditions, inconsistent behavior) not *language-specific symptoms* (setTimeout, sleep)
-- Keep triggers technology-agnostic unless the skill itself is technology-specific
-- If skill is technology-specific, make that explicit in the trigger
-- Write in third person (injected into system prompt)
-- **NEVER summarize the skill's process or workflow**
-
-```yaml
-# ❌ BAD: Too abstract, vague, doesn't include when to use
-description: For async testing
-
-# ❌ BAD: First person
-description: I can help you with async tests when they're flaky
-
-# ❌ BAD: Mentions technology but skill isn't specific to it
-description: Use when tests use setTimeout/sleep and are flaky
-
-# ✅ GOOD: Starts with "Use when", describes problem, no workflow
-description: Use when tests have race conditions, timing dependencies, or pass/fail inconsistently
-
-# ✅ GOOD: Technology-specific skill with explicit trigger
-description: Use when using React Router and handling authentication redirects
-```
-
-### 2. Keyword Coverage
-
-Use words Claude would search for:
-- Error messages: "Hook timed out", "ENOTEMPTY", "race condition"
-- Symptoms: "flaky", "hanging", "zombie", "pollution"
-- Synonyms: "timeout/hang/freeze", "cleanup/teardown/afterEach"
-- Tools: Actual commands, library names, file types
-
-### 3. Descriptive Naming
-
-**Use active voice, verb-first:**
-- ✅ `creating-skills` not `skill-creation`
-- ✅ `condition-based-waiting` not `async-test-helpers`
-
-### 4. Token Efficiency (Critical)
-
-**Problem:** getting-started and frequently-referenced skills load into EVERY conversation. Every token counts.
-
-**Target word counts:**
-- getting-started workflows: <150 words each
-- Frequently-loaded skills: <200 words total
-- Other skills: <500 words (still be concise)
-
-**Techniques:**
-
-**Move details to tool help:**
-```bash
-# ❌ BAD: Document all flags in SKILL.md
-search-conversations supports --text, --both, --after DATE, --before DATE, --limit N
-
-# ✅ GOOD: Reference --help
-search-conversations supports multiple modes and filters. Run --help for details.
-```
-
-**Use cross-references:**
-```markdown
-# ❌ BAD: Repeat workflow details
-When searching, dispatch subagent with template...
-[20 lines of repeated instructions]
-
-# ✅ GOOD: Reference other skill
-Always use subagents (50-100x context savings). REQUIRED: Use [other-skill-name] for workflow.
-```
-
-**Compress examples:**
-```markdown
-# ❌ BAD: Verbose example (42 words)
-your human partner: "How did we handle authentication errors in React Router before?"
-You: I'll search past conversations for React Router authentication patterns.
-[Dispatch subagent with search query: "React Router authentication error handling 401"]
-
-# ✅ GOOD: Minimal example (20 words)
-Partner: "How did we handle auth errors in React Router?"
-You: Searching...
-[Dispatch subagent → synthesis]
-```
-
-**Eliminate redundancy:**
-- Don't repeat what's in cross-referenced skills
-- Don't explain what's obvious from command
-- Don't include multiple examples of same pattern
-
-**Verification:**
-```bash
-wc -w skills/path/SKILL.md
-# getting-started workflows: aim for <150 each
-# Other frequently-loaded: aim for <200 total
-```
-
-**Name by what you DO or core insight:**
-- ✅ `condition-based-waiting` > `async-test-helpers`
-- ✅ `using-skills` not `skill-usage`
-- ✅ `flatten-with-flags` > `data-structure-refactoring`
-- ✅ `root-cause-tracing` > `debugging-techniques`
-
-**Gerunds (-ing) work well for processes:**
-- `creating-skills`, `testing-skills`, `debugging-with-logs`
-- Active, describes the action you're taking
-
-### 4. Cross-Referencing Other Skills
-
-**When writing documentation that references other skills:**
-
-Use skill name only, with explicit requirement markers:
-- ✅ Good: `**REQUIRED SUB-SKILL:** Use superpowers:test-driven-development`
-- ✅ Good: `**REQUIRED BACKGROUND:** You MUST understand superpowers:systematic-debugging`
-- ❌ Bad: `See skills/testing/test-driven-development` (unclear if required)
-- ❌ Bad: `@skills/testing/test-driven-development/SKILL.md` (force-loads, burns context)
-
-**Why no @ links:** `@` syntax force-loads files immediately, consuming 200k+ context before you need them.
-
-## Flowchart Usage
-
-```dot
-digraph when_flowchart {
-    "Need to show information?" [shape=diamond];
-    "Decision where I might go wrong?" [shape=diamond];
-    "Use markdown" [shape=box];
-    "Small inline flowchart" [shape=box];
-
-    "Need to show information?" -> "Decision where I might go wrong?" [label="yes"];
-    "Decision where I might go wrong?" -> "Small inline flowchart" [label="yes"];
-    "Decision where I might go wrong?" -> "Use markdown" [label="no"];
-}
-```
-
-**Use flowcharts ONLY for:**
-- Non-obvious decision points
-- Process loops where you might stop too early
-- "When to use A vs B" decisions
-
-**Never use flowcharts for:**
-- Reference material → Tables, lists
-- Code examples → Markdown blocks
-- Linear instructions → Numbered lists
-- Labels without semantic meaning (step1, helper2)
-
-See @graphviz-conventions.dot for graphviz style rules.
-
-**Visualizing for your human partner:** Use `render-graphs.js` in this directory to render a skill's flowcharts to SVG:
-```bash
-./render-graphs.js ../some-skill           # Each diagram separately
-./render-graphs.js ../some-skill --combine # All diagrams in one SVG
-```
-
-## Code Examples
-
-**One excellent example beats many mediocre ones**
-
-Choose most relevant language:
-- Testing techniques → TypeScript/JavaScript
-- System debugging → Shell/Python
-- Data processing → Python
-
-**Good example:**
-- Complete and runnable
-- Well-commented explaining WHY
-- From real scenario
-- Shows pattern clearly
-- Ready to adapt (not generic template)
-
-**Don't:**
-- Implement in 5+ languages
-- Create fill-in-the-blank templates
-- Write contrived examples
-
-You're good at porting - one great example is enough.
-
-## File Organization
-
-### Self-Contained Skill
-```
-defense-in-depth/
-  SKILL.md    # Everything inline
-```
-When: All content fits, no heavy reference needed
-
-### Skill with Reusable Tool
-```
-condition-based-waiting/
-  SKILL.md    # Overview + patterns
-  example.ts  # Working helpers to adapt
-```
-When: Tool is reusable code, not just narrative
-
-### Skill with Heavy Reference
-```
-pptx/
-  SKILL.md       # Overview + workflows
-  pptxgenjs.md   # 600 lines API reference
-  ooxml.md       # 500 lines XML structure
-  scripts/       # Executable tools
-```
-When: Reference material too large for inline
-
-## The Iron Law (Same as TDD)
-
-```
-NO SKILL WITHOUT A FAILING TEST FIRST
-```
-
-This applies to NEW skills AND EDITS to existing skills.
-
-Write skill before testing? Delete it. Start over.
-Edit skill without testing? Same violation.
-
-**No exceptions:**
-- Not for "simple additions"
-- Not for "just adding a section"
-- Not for "documentation updates"
-- Don't keep untested changes as "reference"
-- Don't "adapt" while running tests
-- Delete means delete
-
-**REQUIRED BACKGROUND:** The superpowers:test-driven-development skill explains why this matters. Same principles apply to documentation.
-
-## Testing All Skill Types
-
-Different skill types need different test approaches:
-
-### Discipline-Enforcing Skills (rules/requirements)
-
-**Examples:** TDD, verification-before-completion, designing-before-coding
-
-**Test with:**
-- Academic questions: Do they understand the rules?
-- Pressure scenarios: Do they comply under stress?
-- Multiple pressures combined: time + sunk cost + exhaustion
-- Identify rationalizations and add explicit counters
-
-**Success criteria:** Agent follows rule under maximum pressure
-
-### Technique Skills (how-to guides)
-
-**Examples:** condition-based-waiting, root-cause-tracing, defensive-programming
-
-**Test with:**
-- Application scenarios: Can they apply the technique correctly?
-- Variation scenarios: Do they handle edge cases?
-- Missing information tests: Do instructions have gaps?
-
-**Success criteria:** Agent successfully applies technique to new scenario
-
-### Pattern Skills (mental models)
-
-**Examples:** reducing-complexity, information-hiding concepts
-
-**Test with:**
-- Recognition scenarios: Do they recognize when pattern applies?
-- Application scenarios: Can they use the mental model?
-- Counter-examples: Do they know when NOT to apply?
-
-**Success criteria:** Agent correctly identifies when/how to apply pattern
-
-### Reference Skills (documentation/APIs)
-
-**Examples:** API documentation, command references, library guides
-
-**Test with:**
-- Retrieval scenarios: Can they find the right information?
-- Application scenarios: Can they use what they found correctly?
-- Gap testing: Are common use cases covered?
-
-**Success criteria:** Agent finds and correctly applies reference information
-
-## Common Rationalizations for Skipping Testing
-
-| Excuse | Reality |
-|--------|---------|
-| "Skill is obviously clear" | Clear to you ≠ clear to other agents. Test it. |
-| "It's just a reference" | References can have gaps, unclear sections. Test retrieval. |
-| "Testing is overkill" | Untested skills have issues. Always. 15 min testing saves hours. |
-| "I'll test if problems emerge" | Problems = agents can't use skill. Test BEFORE deploying. |
-| "Too tedious to test" | Testing is less tedious than debugging bad skill in production. |
-| "I'm confident it's good" | Overconfidence guarantees issues. Test anyway. |
-| "Academic review is enough" | Reading ≠ using. Test application scenarios. |
-| "No time to test" | Deploying untested skill wastes more time fixing it later. |
-
-**All of these mean: Test before deploying. No exceptions.**
-
-## Bulletproofing Skills Against Rationalization
-
-Skills that enforce discipline (like TDD) need to resist rationalization. Agents are smart and will find loopholes when under pressure.
-
-**Psychology note:** Understanding WHY persuasion techniques work helps you apply them systematically. See persuasion-principles.md for research foundation (Cialdini, 2021; Meincke et al., 2025) on authority, commitment, scarcity, social proof, and unity principles.
-
-### Close Every Loophole Explicitly
-
-Don't just state the rule - forbid specific workarounds:
-
-<Bad>
-```markdown
-Write code before test? Delete it.
-```
-</Bad>
-
-<Good>
-```markdown
-Write code before test? Delete it. Start over.
-
-**No exceptions:**
-- Don't keep it as "reference"
-- Don't "adapt" it while writing tests
-- Don't look at it
-- Delete means delete
-```
-</Good>
-
-### Address "Spirit vs Letter" Arguments
-
-Add foundational principle early:
-
-```markdown
-**Violating the letter of the rules is violating the spirit of the rules.**
-```
-
-This cuts off entire class of "I'm following the spirit" rationalizations.
-
-### Build Rationalization Table
-
-Capture rationalizations from baseline testing (see Testing section below). Every excuse agents make goes in the table:
-
-```markdown
-| Excuse | Reality |
-|--------|---------|
-| "Too simple to test" | Simple code breaks. Test takes 30 seconds. |
-| "I'll test after" | Tests passing immediately prove nothing. |
-| "Tests after achieve same goals" | Tests-after = "what does this do?" Tests-first = "what should this do?" |
-```
-
-### Create Red Flags List
-
-Make it easy for agents to self-check when rationalizing:
-
-```markdown
-## Red Flags - STOP and Start Over
-
-- Code before test
-- "I already manually tested it"
-- "Tests after achieve the same purpose"
-- "It's about spirit not ritual"
-- "This is different because..."
-
-**All of these mean: Delete code. Start over with TDD.**
-```
-
-### Update CSO for Violation Symptoms
-
-Add to description: symptoms of when you're ABOUT to violate the rule:
-
-```yaml
-description: use when implementing any feature or bugfix, before writing implementation code
-```
-
-## RED-GREEN-REFACTOR for Skills
-
-Follow the TDD cycle:
-
-### RED: Write Failing Test (Baseline)
-
-Run pressure scenario with subagent WITHOUT the skill. Document exact behavior:
-- What choices did they make?
-- What rationalizations did they use (verbatim)?
-- Which pressures triggered violations?
-
-This is "watch the test fail" - you must see what agents naturally do before writing the skill.
-
-### GREEN: Write Minimal Skill
-
-Write skill that addresses those specific rationalizations. Don't add extra content for hypothetical cases.
-
-Run same scenarios WITH skill. Agent should now comply.
-
-### REFACTOR: Close Loopholes
-
-Agent found new rationalization? Add explicit counter. Re-test until bulletproof.
-
-**Testing methodology:** See @testing-skills-with-subagents.md for the complete testing methodology:
-- How to write pressure scenarios
-- Pressure types (time, sunk cost, authority, exhaustion)
-- Plugging holes systematically
-- Meta-testing techniques
-
-## Anti-Patterns
-
-### ❌ Narrative Example
-"In session 2025-10-03, we found empty projectDir caused..."
-**Why bad:** Too specific, not reusable
-
-### ❌ Multi-Language Dilution
-example-js.js, example-py.py, example-go.go
-**Why bad:** Mediocre quality, maintenance burden
-
-### ❌ Code in Flowcharts
-```dot
-step1 [label="import fs"];
-step2 [label="read file"];
-```
-**Why bad:** Can't copy-paste, hard to read
-
-### ❌ Generic Labels
-helper1, helper2, step3, pattern4
-**Why bad:** Labels should have semantic meaning
-
-## STOP: Before Moving to Next Skill
-
-**After writing ANY skill, you MUST STOP and complete the deployment process.**
-
-**Do NOT:**
-- Create multiple skills in batch without testing each
-- Move to next skill before current one is verified
-- Skip testing because "batching is more efficient"
-
-**The deployment checklist below is MANDATORY for EACH skill.**
-
-Deploying untested skills = deploying untested code. It's a violation of quality standards.
-
-## Skill Creation Checklist (TDD Adapted)
-
-**IMPORTANT: Use TodoWrite to create todos for EACH checklist item below.**
-
-**RED Phase - Write Failing Test:**
-- [ ] Create pressure scenarios (3+ combined pressures for discipline skills)
-- [ ] Run scenarios WITHOUT skill - document baseline behavior verbatim
-- [ ] Identify patterns in rationalizations/failures
-
-**GREEN Phase - Write Minimal Skill:**
-- [ ] Name uses only letters, numbers, hyphens (no parentheses/special chars)
-- [ ] YAML frontmatter with only name and description (max 1024 chars)
-- [ ] Description starts with "Use when..." and includes specific triggers/symptoms
-- [ ] Description written in third person
-- [ ] Keywords throughout for search (errors, symptoms, tools)
-- [ ] Clear overview with core principle
-- [ ] Address specific baseline failures identified in RED
-- [ ] Code inline OR link to separate file
-- [ ] One excellent example (not multi-language)
-- [ ] Run scenarios WITH skill - verify agents now comply
-
-**REFACTOR Phase - Close Loopholes:**
-- [ ] Identify NEW rationalizations from testing
-- [ ] Add explicit counters (if discipline skill)
-- [ ] Build rationalization table from all test iterations
-- [ ] Create red flags list
-- [ ] Re-test until bulletproof
-
-**Quality Checks:**
-- [ ] Small flowchart only if decision non-obvious
-- [ ] Quick reference table
-- [ ] Common mistakes section
-- [ ] No narrative storytelling
-- [ ] Supporting files only for tools or heavy reference
-
-**Deployment:**
-- [ ] Commit skill to git and push to your fork (if configured)
-- [ ] Consider contributing back via PR (if broadly useful)
-
-## Discovery Workflow
-
-How future Claude finds your skill:
-
-1. **Encounters problem** ("tests are flaky")
-3. **Finds SKILL** (description matches)
-4. **Scans overview** (is this relevant?)
-5. **Reads patterns** (quick reference table)
-6. **Loads example** (only when implementing)
-
-**Optimize for this flow** - put searchable terms early and often.
-
-## The Bottom Line
-
-**Creating skills IS TDD for process documentation.**
-
-Same Iron Law: No skill without failing test first.
-Same cycle: RED (baseline) → GREEN (write skill) → REFACTOR (close loopholes).
-Same benefits: Better quality, fewer surprises, bulletproof results.
-
-If you follow TDD for code, follow it for skills. It's the same discipline applied to documentation.
+---
+name: writing-skills
+description: Use when creating new skills, editing existing skills, or verifying skills work before deployment
+---
+
+# Writing Skills
+
+## Overview
+
+**Writing skills IS Test-Driven Development applied to process documentation.**
+
+**Personal skills live in agent-specific directories (`~/.claude/skills` for Claude Code, `~/.agents/skills/` for Codex)** 
+
+You write test cases (pressure scenarios with subagents), watch them fail (baseline behavior), write the skill (documentation), watch tests pass (agents comply), and refactor (close loopholes).
+
+**Core principle:** If you didn't watch an agent fail without the skill, you don't know if the skill teaches the right thing.
+
+**REQUIRED BACKGROUND:** You MUST understand superpowers:test-driven-development before using this skill. That skill defines the fundamental RED-GREEN-REFACTOR cycle. This skill adapts TDD to documentation.
+
+**Official guidance:** For Anthropic's official skill authoring best practices, see anthropic-best-practices.md. This document provides additional patterns and guidelines that complement the TDD-focused approach in this skill.
+
+## What is a Skill?
+
+A **skill** is a reference guide for proven techniques, patterns, or tools. Skills help future Claude instances find and apply effective approaches.
+
+**Skills are:** Reusable techniques, patterns, tools, reference guides
+
+**Skills are NOT:** Narratives about how you solved a problem once
+
+## TDD Mapping for Skills
+
+| TDD Concept | Skill Creation |
+|-------------|----------------|
+| **Test case** | Pressure scenario with subagent |
+| **Production code** | Skill document (SKILL.md) |
+| **Test fails (RED)** | Agent violates rule without skill (baseline) |
+| **Test passes (GREEN)** | Agent complies with skill present |
+| **Refactor** | Close loopholes while maintaining compliance |
+| **Write test first** | Run baseline scenario BEFORE writing skill |
+| **Watch it fail** | Document exact rationalizations agent uses |
+| **Minimal code** | Write skill addressing those specific violations |
+| **Watch it pass** | Verify agent now complies |
+| **Refactor cycle** | Find new rationalizations → plug → re-verify |
+
+The entire skill creation process follows RED-GREEN-REFACTOR.
+
+## When to Create a Skill
+
+**Create when:**
+- Technique wasn't intuitively obvious to you
+- You'd reference this again across projects
+- Pattern applies broadly (not project-specific)
+- Others would benefit
+
+**Don't create for:**
+- One-off solutions
+- Standard practices well-documented elsewhere
+- Project-specific conventions (put in CLAUDE.md)
+- Mechanical constraints (if it's enforceable with regex/validation, automate it—save documentation for judgment calls)
+
+## Skill Types
+
+### Technique
+Concrete method with steps to follow (condition-based-waiting, root-cause-tracing)
+
+### Pattern
+Way of thinking about problems (flatten-with-flags, test-invariants)
+
+### Reference
+API docs, syntax guides, tool documentation (office docs)
+
+## Directory Structure
+
+
+```
+skills/
+  skill-name/
+    SKILL.md              # Main reference (required)
+    supporting-file.*     # Only if needed
+```
+
+**Flat namespace** - all skills in one searchable namespace
+
+**Separate files for:**
+1. **Heavy reference** (100+ lines) - API docs, comprehensive syntax
+2. **Reusable tools** - Scripts, utilities, templates
+
+**Keep inline:**
+- Principles and concepts
+- Code patterns (< 50 lines)
+- Everything else
+
+## SKILL.md Structure
+
+**Frontmatter (YAML):**
+- Only two fields supported: `name` and `description`
+- Max 1024 characters total
+- `name`: Use letters, numbers, and hyphens only (no parentheses, special chars)
+- `description`: Third-person, describes ONLY when to use (NOT what it does)
+  - Start with "Use when..." to focus on triggering conditions
+  - Include specific symptoms, situations, and contexts
+  - **NEVER summarize the skill's process or workflow** (see CSO section for why)
+  - Keep under 500 characters if possible
+
+```markdown
+---
+name: Skill-Name-With-Hyphens
+description: Use when [specific triggering conditions and symptoms]
+---
+
+# Skill Name
+
+## Overview
+What is this? Core principle in 1-2 sentences.
+
+## When to Use
+[Small inline flowchart IF decision non-obvious]
+
+Bullet list with SYMPTOMS and use cases
+When NOT to use
+
+## Core Pattern (for techniques/patterns)
+Before/after code comparison
+
+## Quick Reference
+Table or bullets for scanning common operations
+
+## Implementation
+Inline code for simple patterns
+Link to file for heavy reference or reusable tools
+
+## Common Mistakes
+What goes wrong + fixes
+
+## Real-World Impact (optional)
+Concrete results
+```
+
+
+## Claude Search Optimization (CSO)
+
+**Critical for discovery:** Future Claude needs to FIND your skill
+
+### 1. Rich Description Field
+
+**Purpose:** Claude reads description to decide which skills to load for a given task. Make it answer: "Should I read this skill right now?"
+
+**Format:** Start with "Use when..." to focus on triggering conditions
+
+**CRITICAL: Description = When to Use, NOT What the Skill Does**
+
+The description should ONLY describe triggering conditions. Do NOT summarize the skill's process or workflow in the description.
+
+**Why this matters:** Testing revealed that when a description summarizes the skill's workflow, Claude may follow the description instead of reading the full skill content. A description saying "code review between tasks" caused Claude to do ONE review, even though the skill's flowchart clearly showed TWO reviews (spec compliance then code quality).
+
+When the description was changed to just "Use when executing implementation plans with independent tasks" (no workflow summary), Claude correctly read the flowchart and followed the two-stage review process.
+
+**The trap:** Descriptions that summarize workflow create a shortcut Claude will take. The skill body becomes documentation Claude skips.
+
+```yaml
+# ❌ BAD: Summarizes workflow - Claude may follow this instead of reading skill
+description: Use when executing plans - dispatches subagent per task with code review between tasks
+
+# ❌ BAD: Too much process detail
+description: Use for TDD - write test first, watch it fail, write minimal code, refactor
+
+# ✅ GOOD: Just triggering conditions, no workflow summary
+description: Use when executing implementation plans with independent tasks in the current session
+
+# ✅ GOOD: Triggering conditions only
+description: Use when implementing any feature or bugfix, before writing implementation code
+```
+
+**Content:**
+- Use concrete triggers, symptoms, and situations that signal this skill applies
+- Describe the *problem* (race conditions, inconsistent behavior) not *language-specific symptoms* (setTimeout, sleep)
+- Keep triggers technology-agnostic unless the skill itself is technology-specific
+- If skill is technology-specific, make that explicit in the trigger
+- Write in third person (injected into system prompt)
+- **NEVER summarize the skill's process or workflow**
+
+```yaml
+# ❌ BAD: Too abstract, vague, doesn't include when to use
+description: For async testing
+
+# ❌ BAD: First person
+description: I can help you with async tests when they're flaky
+
+# ❌ BAD: Mentions technology but skill isn't specific to it
+description: Use when tests use setTimeout/sleep and are flaky
+
+# ✅ GOOD: Starts with "Use when", describes problem, no workflow
+description: Use when tests have race conditions, timing dependencies, or pass/fail inconsistently
+
+# ✅ GOOD: Technology-specific skill with explicit trigger
+description: Use when using React Router and handling authentication redirects
+```
+
+### 2. Keyword Coverage
+
+Use words Claude would search for:
+- Error messages: "Hook timed out", "ENOTEMPTY", "race condition"
+- Symptoms: "flaky", "hanging", "zombie", "pollution"
+- Synonyms: "timeout/hang/freeze", "cleanup/teardown/afterEach"
+- Tools: Actual commands, library names, file types
+
+### 3. Descriptive Naming
+
+**Use active voice, verb-first:**
+- ✅ `creating-skills` not `skill-creation`
+- ✅ `condition-based-waiting` not `async-test-helpers`
+
+### 4. Token Efficiency (Critical)
+
+**Problem:** getting-started and frequently-referenced skills load into EVERY conversation. Every token counts.
+
+**Target word counts:**
+- getting-started workflows: <150 words each
+- Frequently-loaded skills: <200 words total
+- Other skills: <500 words (still be concise)
+
+**Techniques:**
+
+**Move details to tool help:**
+```bash
+# ❌ BAD: Document all flags in SKILL.md
+search-conversations supports --text, --both, --after DATE, --before DATE, --limit N
+
+# ✅ GOOD: Reference --help
+search-conversations supports multiple modes and filters. Run --help for details.
+```
+
+**Use cross-references:**
+```markdown
+# ❌ BAD: Repeat workflow details
+When searching, dispatch subagent with template...
+[20 lines of repeated instructions]
+
+# ✅ GOOD: Reference other skill
+Always use subagents (50-100x context savings). REQUIRED: Use [other-skill-name] for workflow.
+```
+
+**Compress examples:**
+```markdown
+# ❌ BAD: Verbose example (42 words)
+your human partner: "How did we handle authentication errors in React Router before?"
+You: I'll search past conversations for React Router authentication patterns.
+[Dispatch subagent with search query: "React Router authentication error handling 401"]
+
+# ✅ GOOD: Minimal example (20 words)
+Partner: "How did we handle auth errors in React Router?"
+You: Searching...
+[Dispatch subagent → synthesis]
+```
+
+**Eliminate redundancy:**
+- Don't repeat what's in cross-referenced skills
+- Don't explain what's obvious from command
+- Don't include multiple examples of same pattern
+
+**Verification:**
+```bash
+wc -w skills/path/SKILL.md
+# getting-started workflows: aim for <150 each
+# Other frequently-loaded: aim for <200 total
+```
+
+**Name by what you DO or core insight:**
+- ✅ `condition-based-waiting` > `async-test-helpers`
+- ✅ `using-skills` not `skill-usage`
+- ✅ `flatten-with-flags` > `data-structure-refactoring`
+- ✅ `root-cause-tracing` > `debugging-techniques`
+
+**Gerunds (-ing) work well for processes:**
+- `creating-skills`, `testing-skills`, `debugging-with-logs`
+- Active, describes the action you're taking
+
+### 4. Cross-Referencing Other Skills
+
+**When writing documentation that references other skills:**
+
+Use skill name only, with explicit requirement markers:
+- ✅ Good: `**REQUIRED SUB-SKILL:** Use superpowers:test-driven-development`
+- ✅ Good: `**REQUIRED BACKGROUND:** You MUST understand superpowers:systematic-debugging`
+- ❌ Bad: `See skills/testing/test-driven-development` (unclear if required)
+- ❌ Bad: `@skills/testing/test-driven-development/SKILL.md` (force-loads, burns context)
+
+**Why no @ links:** `@` syntax force-loads files immediately, consuming 200k+ context before you need them.
+
+## Flowchart Usage
+
+```dot
+digraph when_flowchart {
+    "Need to show information?" [shape=diamond];
+    "Decision where I might go wrong?" [shape=diamond];
+    "Use markdown" [shape=box];
+    "Small inline flowchart" [shape=box];
+
+    "Need to show information?" -> "Decision where I might go wrong?" [label="yes"];
+    "Decision where I might go wrong?" -> "Small inline flowchart" [label="yes"];
+    "Decision where I might go wrong?" -> "Use markdown" [label="no"];
+}
+```
+
+**Use flowcharts ONLY for:**
+- Non-obvious decision points
+- Process loops where you might stop too early
+- "When to use A vs B" decisions
+
+**Never use flowcharts for:**
+- Reference material → Tables, lists
+- Code examples → Markdown blocks
+- Linear instructions → Numbered lists
+- Labels without semantic meaning (step1, helper2)
+
+See @graphviz-conventions.dot for graphviz style rules.
+
+**Visualizing for your human partner:** Use `render-graphs.js` in this directory to render a skill's flowcharts to SVG:
+```bash
+./render-graphs.js ../some-skill           # Each diagram separately
+./render-graphs.js ../some-skill --combine # All diagrams in one SVG
+```
+
+## Code Examples
+
+**One excellent example beats many mediocre ones**
+
+Choose most relevant language:
+- Testing techniques → TypeScript/JavaScript
+- System debugging → Shell/Python
+- Data processing → Python
+
+**Good example:**
+- Complete and runnable
+- Well-commented explaining WHY
+- From real scenario
+- Shows pattern clearly
+- Ready to adapt (not generic template)
+
+**Don't:**
+- Implement in 5+ languages
+- Create fill-in-the-blank templates
+- Write contrived examples
+
+You're good at porting - one great example is enough.
+
+## File Organization
+
+### Self-Contained Skill
+```
+defense-in-depth/
+  SKILL.md    # Everything inline
+```
+When: All content fits, no heavy reference needed
+
+### Skill with Reusable Tool
+```
+condition-based-waiting/
+  SKILL.md    # Overview + patterns
+  example.ts  # Working helpers to adapt
+```
+When: Tool is reusable code, not just narrative
+
+### Skill with Heavy Reference
+```
+pptx/
+  SKILL.md       # Overview + workflows
+  pptxgenjs.md   # 600 lines API reference
+  ooxml.md       # 500 lines XML structure
+  scripts/       # Executable tools
+```
+When: Reference material too large for inline
+
+## The Iron Law (Same as TDD)
+
+```
+NO SKILL WITHOUT A FAILING TEST FIRST
+```
+
+This applies to NEW skills AND EDITS to existing skills.
+
+Write skill before testing? Delete it. Start over.
+Edit skill without testing? Same violation.
+
+**No exceptions:**
+- Not for "simple additions"
+- Not for "just adding a section"
+- Not for "documentation updates"
+- Don't keep untested changes as "reference"
+- Don't "adapt" while running tests
+- Delete means delete
+
+**REQUIRED BACKGROUND:** The superpowers:test-driven-development skill explains why this matters. Same principles apply to documentation.
+
+## Testing All Skill Types
+
+Different skill types need different test approaches:
+
+### Discipline-Enforcing Skills (rules/requirements)
+
+**Examples:** TDD, verification-before-completion, designing-before-coding
+
+**Test with:**
+- Academic questions: Do they understand the rules?
+- Pressure scenarios: Do they comply under stress?
+- Multiple pressures combined: time + sunk cost + exhaustion
+- Identify rationalizations and add explicit counters
+
+**Success criteria:** Agent follows rule under maximum pressure
+
+### Technique Skills (how-to guides)
+
+**Examples:** condition-based-waiting, root-cause-tracing, defensive-programming
+
+**Test with:**
+- Application scenarios: Can they apply the technique correctly?
+- Variation scenarios: Do they handle edge cases?
+- Missing information tests: Do instructions have gaps?
+
+**Success criteria:** Agent successfully applies technique to new scenario
+
+### Pattern Skills (mental models)
+
+**Examples:** reducing-complexity, information-hiding concepts
+
+**Test with:**
+- Recognition scenarios: Do they recognize when pattern applies?
+- Application scenarios: Can they use the mental model?
+- Counter-examples: Do they know when NOT to apply?
+
+**Success criteria:** Agent correctly identifies when/how to apply pattern
+
+### Reference Skills (documentation/APIs)
+
+**Examples:** API documentation, command references, library guides
+
+**Test with:**
+- Retrieval scenarios: Can they find the right information?
+- Application scenarios: Can they use what they found correctly?
+- Gap testing: Are common use cases covered?
+
+**Success criteria:** Agent finds and correctly applies reference information
+
+## Common Rationalizations for Skipping Testing
+
+| Excuse | Reality |
+|--------|---------|
+| "Skill is obviously clear" | Clear to you ≠ clear to other agents. Test it. |
+| "It's just a reference" | References can have gaps, unclear sections. Test retrieval. |
+| "Testing is overkill" | Untested skills have issues. Always. 15 min testing saves hours. |
+| "I'll test if problems emerge" | Problems = agents can't use skill. Test BEFORE deploying. |
+| "Too tedious to test" | Testing is less tedious than debugging bad skill in production. |
+| "I'm confident it's good" | Overconfidence guarantees issues. Test anyway. |
+| "Academic review is enough" | Reading ≠ using. Test application scenarios. |
+| "No time to test" | Deploying untested skill wastes more time fixing it later. |
+
+**All of these mean: Test before deploying. No exceptions.**
+
+## Bulletproofing Skills Against Rationalization
+
+Skills that enforce discipline (like TDD) need to resist rationalization. Agents are smart and will find loopholes when under pressure.
+
+**Psychology note:** Understanding WHY persuasion techniques work helps you apply them systematically. See persuasion-principles.md for research foundation (Cialdini, 2021; Meincke et al., 2025) on authority, commitment, scarcity, social proof, and unity principles.
+
+### Close Every Loophole Explicitly
+
+Don't just state the rule - forbid specific workarounds:
+
+<Bad>
+```markdown
+Write code before test? Delete it.
+```
+</Bad>
+
+<Good>
+```markdown
+Write code before test? Delete it. Start over.
+
+**No exceptions:**
+- Don't keep it as "reference"
+- Don't "adapt" it while writing tests
+- Don't look at it
+- Delete means delete
+```
+</Good>
+
+### Address "Spirit vs Letter" Arguments
+
+Add foundational principle early:
+
+```markdown
+**Violating the letter of the rules is violating the spirit of the rules.**
+```
+
+This cuts off entire class of "I'm following the spirit" rationalizations.
+
+### Build Rationalization Table
+
+Capture rationalizations from baseline testing (see Testing section below). Every excuse agents make goes in the table:
+
+```markdown
+| Excuse | Reality |
+|--------|---------|
+| "Too simple to test" | Simple code breaks. Test takes 30 seconds. |
+| "I'll test after" | Tests passing immediately prove nothing. |
+| "Tests after achieve same goals" | Tests-after = "what does this do?" Tests-first = "what should this do?" |
+```
+
+### Create Red Flags List
+
+Make it easy for agents to self-check when rationalizing:
+
+```markdown
+## Red Flags - STOP and Start Over
+
+- Code before test
+- "I already manually tested it"
+- "Tests after achieve the same purpose"
+- "It's about spirit not ritual"
+- "This is different because..."
+
+**All of these mean: Delete code. Start over with TDD.**
+```
+
+### Update CSO for Violation Symptoms
+
+Add to description: symptoms of when you're ABOUT to violate the rule:
+
+```yaml
+description: use when implementing any feature or bugfix, before writing implementation code
+```
+
+## RED-GREEN-REFACTOR for Skills
+
+Follow the TDD cycle:
+
+### RED: Write Failing Test (Baseline)
+
+Run pressure scenario with subagent WITHOUT the skill. Document exact behavior:
+- What choices did they make?
+- What rationalizations did they use (verbatim)?
+- Which pressures triggered violations?
+
+This is "watch the test fail" - you must see what agents naturally do before writing the skill.
+
+### GREEN: Write Minimal Skill
+
+Write skill that addresses those specific rationalizations. Don't add extra content for hypothetical cases.
+
+Run same scenarios WITH skill. Agent should now comply.
+
+### REFACTOR: Close Loopholes
+
+Agent found new rationalization? Add explicit counter. Re-test until bulletproof.
+
+**Testing methodology:** See @testing-skills-with-subagents.md for the complete testing methodology:
+- How to write pressure scenarios
+- Pressure types (time, sunk cost, authority, exhaustion)
+- Plugging holes systematically
+- Meta-testing techniques
+
+## Anti-Patterns
+
+### ❌ Narrative Example
+"In session 2025-10-03, we found empty projectDir caused..."
+**Why bad:** Too specific, not reusable
+
+### ❌ Multi-Language Dilution
+example-js.js, example-py.py, example-go.go
+**Why bad:** Mediocre quality, maintenance burden
+
+### ❌ Code in Flowcharts
+```dot
+step1 [label="import fs"];
+step2 [label="read file"];
+```
+**Why bad:** Can't copy-paste, hard to read
+
+### ❌ Generic Labels
+helper1, helper2, step3, pattern4
+**Why bad:** Labels should have semantic meaning
+
+## STOP: Before Moving to Next Skill
+
+**After writing ANY skill, you MUST STOP and complete the deployment process.**
+
+**Do NOT:**
+- Create multiple skills in batch without testing each
+- Move to next skill before current one is verified
+- Skip testing because "batching is more efficient"
+
+**The deployment checklist below is MANDATORY for EACH skill.**
+
+Deploying untested skills = deploying untested code. It's a violation of quality standards.
+
+## Skill Creation Checklist (TDD Adapted)
+
+**IMPORTANT: Use TodoWrite to create todos for EACH checklist item below.**
+
+**RED Phase - Write Failing Test:**
+- [ ] Create pressure scenarios (3+ combined pressures for discipline skills)
+- [ ] Run scenarios WITHOUT skill - document baseline behavior verbatim
+- [ ] Identify patterns in rationalizations/failures
+
+**GREEN Phase - Write Minimal Skill:**
+- [ ] Name uses only letters, numbers, hyphens (no parentheses/special chars)
+- [ ] YAML frontmatter with only name and description (max 1024 chars)
+- [ ] Description starts with "Use when..." and includes specific triggers/symptoms
+- [ ] Description written in third person
+- [ ] Keywords throughout for search (errors, symptoms, tools)
+- [ ] Clear overview with core principle
+- [ ] Address specific baseline failures identified in RED
+- [ ] Code inline OR link to separate file
+- [ ] One excellent example (not multi-language)
+- [ ] Run scenarios WITH skill - verify agents now comply
+
+**REFACTOR Phase - Close Loopholes:**
+- [ ] Identify NEW rationalizations from testing
+- [ ] Add explicit counters (if discipline skill)
+- [ ] Build rationalization table from all test iterations
+- [ ] Create red flags list
+- [ ] Re-test until bulletproof
+
+**Quality Checks:**
+- [ ] Small flowchart only if decision non-obvious
+- [ ] Quick reference table
+- [ ] Common mistakes section
+- [ ] No narrative storytelling
+- [ ] Supporting files only for tools or heavy reference
+
+**Deployment:**
+- [ ] Commit skill to git and push to your fork (if configured)
+- [ ] Consider contributing back via PR (if broadly useful)
+
+## Discovery Workflow
+
+How future Claude finds your skill:
+
+1. **Encounters problem** ("tests are flaky")
+3. **Finds SKILL** (description matches)
+4. **Scans overview** (is this relevant?)
+5. **Reads patterns** (quick reference table)
+6. **Loads example** (only when implementing)
+
+**Optimize for this flow** - put searchable terms early and often.
+
+## The Bottom Line
+
+**Creating skills IS TDD for process documentation.**
+
+Same Iron Law: No skill without failing test first.
+Same cycle: RED (baseline) → GREEN (write skill) → REFACTOR (close loopholes).
+Same benefits: Better quality, fewer surprises, bulletproof results.
+
+If you follow TDD for code, follow it for skills. It's the same discipline applied to documentation.