claude-agent-skills 1.3.0

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  1. package/README.md +65 -0
  2. package/bundled-skills/ask-matt/SKILL.md +61 -0
  3. package/bundled-skills/brainstorming/SKILL.md +159 -0
  4. package/bundled-skills/brainstorming/scripts/frame-template.html +213 -0
  5. package/bundled-skills/brainstorming/scripts/helper.js +167 -0
  6. package/bundled-skills/brainstorming/scripts/server.cjs +723 -0
  7. package/bundled-skills/brainstorming/scripts/start-server.sh +209 -0
  8. package/bundled-skills/brainstorming/scripts/stop-server.sh +120 -0
  9. package/bundled-skills/brainstorming/spec-document-reviewer-prompt.md +49 -0
  10. package/bundled-skills/brainstorming/visual-companion.md +298 -0
  11. package/bundled-skills/cavecrew/README.md +41 -0
  12. package/bundled-skills/cavecrew/SKILL.md +82 -0
  13. package/bundled-skills/caveman/README.md +48 -0
  14. package/bundled-skills/caveman/SKILL.md +78 -0
  15. package/bundled-skills/caveman-commit/README.md +44 -0
  16. package/bundled-skills/caveman-commit/SKILL.md +65 -0
  17. package/bundled-skills/caveman-compress/README.md +163 -0
  18. package/bundled-skills/caveman-compress/SECURITY.md +31 -0
  19. package/bundled-skills/caveman-compress/SKILL.md +111 -0
  20. package/bundled-skills/caveman-compress/scripts/__init__.py +9 -0
  21. package/bundled-skills/caveman-compress/scripts/__main__.py +3 -0
  22. package/bundled-skills/caveman-compress/scripts/benchmark.py +80 -0
  23. package/bundled-skills/caveman-compress/scripts/cli.py +85 -0
  24. package/bundled-skills/caveman-compress/scripts/compress.py +342 -0
  25. package/bundled-skills/caveman-compress/scripts/detect.py +121 -0
  26. package/bundled-skills/caveman-compress/scripts/validate.py +213 -0
  27. package/bundled-skills/caveman-help/README.md +38 -0
  28. package/bundled-skills/caveman-help/SKILL.md +63 -0
  29. package/bundled-skills/caveman-review/README.md +33 -0
  30. package/bundled-skills/caveman-review/SKILL.md +55 -0
  31. package/bundled-skills/caveman-stats/README.md +30 -0
  32. package/bundled-skills/caveman-stats/SKILL.md +10 -0
  33. package/bundled-skills/codebase-design/DEEPENING.md +37 -0
  34. package/bundled-skills/codebase-design/DESIGN-IT-TWICE.md +44 -0
  35. package/bundled-skills/codebase-design/SKILL.md +114 -0
  36. package/bundled-skills/council/SKILL.md +77 -0
  37. package/bundled-skills/diagnosing-bugs/SKILL.md +134 -0
  38. package/bundled-skills/diagnosing-bugs/scripts/hitl-loop.template.sh +41 -0
  39. package/bundled-skills/dispatching-parallel-agents/SKILL.md +185 -0
  40. package/bundled-skills/domain-modeling/ADR-FORMAT.md +47 -0
  41. package/bundled-skills/domain-modeling/CONTEXT-FORMAT.md +60 -0
  42. package/bundled-skills/domain-modeling/SKILL.md +74 -0
  43. package/bundled-skills/edit-article/SKILL.md +15 -0
  44. package/bundled-skills/executing-plans/SKILL.md +70 -0
  45. package/bundled-skills/finishing-a-development-branch/SKILL.md +241 -0
  46. package/bundled-skills/git-guardrails-claude-code/SKILL.md +95 -0
  47. package/bundled-skills/git-guardrails-claude-code/scripts/block-dangerous-git.sh +25 -0
  48. package/bundled-skills/grill-me/SKILL.md +7 -0
  49. package/bundled-skills/grill-with-docs/SKILL.md +7 -0
  50. package/bundled-skills/grilling/SKILL.md +10 -0
  51. package/bundled-skills/handoff/SKILL.md +16 -0
  52. package/bundled-skills/i-am-dumb/SKILL.md +57 -0
  53. package/bundled-skills/implement/SKILL.md +15 -0
  54. package/bundled-skills/improve-codebase-architecture/HTML-REPORT.md +123 -0
  55. package/bundled-skills/improve-codebase-architecture/SKILL.md +66 -0
  56. package/bundled-skills/migrate-to-shoehorn/SKILL.md +118 -0
  57. package/bundled-skills/obsidian-vault/SKILL.md +59 -0
  58. package/bundled-skills/ponytail/SKILL.md +117 -0
  59. package/bundled-skills/ponytail-audit/SKILL.md +50 -0
  60. package/bundled-skills/ponytail-debt/SKILL.md +59 -0
  61. package/bundled-skills/ponytail-gain/SKILL.md +51 -0
  62. package/bundled-skills/ponytail-help/SKILL.md +43 -0
  63. package/bundled-skills/ponytail-review/SKILL.md +51 -0
  64. package/bundled-skills/prototype/LOGIC.md +79 -0
  65. package/bundled-skills/prototype/SKILL.md +31 -0
  66. package/bundled-skills/prototype/UI.md +112 -0
  67. package/bundled-skills/receiving-code-review/SKILL.md +213 -0
  68. package/bundled-skills/requesting-code-review/SKILL.md +103 -0
  69. package/bundled-skills/requesting-code-review/code-reviewer.md +172 -0
  70. package/bundled-skills/resolving-merge-conflicts/SKILL.md +14 -0
  71. package/bundled-skills/scaffold-exercises/SKILL.md +106 -0
  72. package/bundled-skills/setup-matt-pocock-skills/SKILL.md +127 -0
  73. package/bundled-skills/setup-matt-pocock-skills/domain.md +51 -0
  74. package/bundled-skills/setup-matt-pocock-skills/issue-tracker-github.md +34 -0
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  77. package/bundled-skills/setup-matt-pocock-skills/triage-labels.md +15 -0
  78. package/bundled-skills/setup-pre-commit/SKILL.md +91 -0
  79. package/bundled-skills/subagent-driven-development/SKILL.md +418 -0
  80. package/bundled-skills/subagent-driven-development/implementer-prompt.md +139 -0
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  85. package/bundled-skills/systematic-debugging/CREATION-LOG.md +119 -0
  86. package/bundled-skills/systematic-debugging/SKILL.md +296 -0
  87. package/bundled-skills/systematic-debugging/condition-based-waiting-example.ts +158 -0
  88. package/bundled-skills/systematic-debugging/condition-based-waiting.md +115 -0
  89. package/bundled-skills/systematic-debugging/defense-in-depth.md +122 -0
  90. package/bundled-skills/systematic-debugging/find-polluter.sh +63 -0
  91. package/bundled-skills/systematic-debugging/root-cause-tracing.md +169 -0
  92. package/bundled-skills/systematic-debugging/test-academic.md +14 -0
  93. package/bundled-skills/systematic-debugging/test-pressure-1.md +58 -0
  94. package/bundled-skills/systematic-debugging/test-pressure-2.md +68 -0
  95. package/bundled-skills/systematic-debugging/test-pressure-3.md +69 -0
  96. package/bundled-skills/tdd/SKILL.md +108 -0
  97. package/bundled-skills/tdd/mocking.md +59 -0
  98. package/bundled-skills/tdd/refactoring.md +10 -0
  99. package/bundled-skills/tdd/tests.md +61 -0
  100. package/bundled-skills/teach/GLOSSARY-FORMAT.md +35 -0
  101. package/bundled-skills/teach/LEARNING-RECORD-FORMAT.md +46 -0
  102. package/bundled-skills/teach/MISSION-FORMAT.md +31 -0
  103. package/bundled-skills/teach/RESOURCES-FORMAT.md +32 -0
  104. package/bundled-skills/teach/SKILL.md +140 -0
  105. package/bundled-skills/test-driven-development/SKILL.md +371 -0
  106. package/bundled-skills/test-driven-development/testing-anti-patterns.md +299 -0
  107. package/bundled-skills/to-issues/SKILL.md +84 -0
  108. package/bundled-skills/to-prd/SKILL.md +75 -0
  109. package/bundled-skills/triage/AGENT-BRIEF.md +207 -0
  110. package/bundled-skills/triage/OUT-OF-SCOPE.md +105 -0
  111. package/bundled-skills/triage/SKILL.md +112 -0
  112. package/bundled-skills/using-git-worktrees/SKILL.md +202 -0
  113. package/bundled-skills/using-superpowers/SKILL.md +121 -0
  114. package/bundled-skills/using-superpowers/references/antigravity-tools.md +96 -0
  115. package/bundled-skills/using-superpowers/references/claude-code-tools.md +50 -0
  116. package/bundled-skills/using-superpowers/references/codex-tools.md +72 -0
  117. package/bundled-skills/using-superpowers/references/copilot-tools.md +49 -0
  118. package/bundled-skills/using-superpowers/references/gemini-tools.md +63 -0
  119. package/bundled-skills/using-superpowers/references/pi-tools.md +28 -0
  120. package/bundled-skills/verification-before-completion/SKILL.md +139 -0
  121. package/bundled-skills/writing-great-skills/GLOSSARY.md +195 -0
  122. package/bundled-skills/writing-great-skills/SKILL.md +82 -0
  123. package/bundled-skills/writing-plans/SKILL.md +174 -0
  124. package/bundled-skills/writing-plans/plan-document-reviewer-prompt.md +49 -0
  125. package/bundled-skills/writing-skills/SKILL.md +689 -0
  126. package/bundled-skills/writing-skills/anthropic-best-practices.md +1150 -0
  127. package/bundled-skills/writing-skills/examples/CLAUDE_MD_TESTING.md +189 -0
  128. package/bundled-skills/writing-skills/graphviz-conventions.dot +172 -0
  129. package/bundled-skills/writing-skills/persuasion-principles.md +187 -0
  130. package/bundled-skills/writing-skills/render-graphs.js +168 -0
  131. package/bundled-skills/writing-skills/testing-skills-with-subagents.md +384 -0
  132. package/commands/add.js +97 -0
  133. package/commands/check.js +54 -0
  134. package/commands/exportSkills.js +30 -0
  135. package/commands/hub.js +52 -0
  136. package/commands/importSkills.js +68 -0
  137. package/commands/list.js +37 -0
  138. package/commands/remove.js +59 -0
  139. package/commands/sync.js +66 -0
  140. package/commands/update.js +70 -0
  141. package/index.js +100 -0
  142. package/lib/banner.js +108 -0
  143. package/lib/constants.js +10 -0
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  146. package/lib/install.js +31 -0
  147. package/lib/lockfile.js +37 -0
  148. package/lib/prompts.js +50 -0
  149. package/lib/scope.js +19 -0
  150. package/lib/summary.js +108 -0
  151. package/lib/theme.js +11 -0
  152. package/package.json +43 -0
  153. package/skills.json +164 -0
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+ ---
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+ name: writing-skills
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+ description: Use when creating new skills, editing existing skills, or verifying skills work before deployment
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+ ---
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+
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+ # Writing Skills
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+
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+ ## Overview
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+
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+ **Writing skills IS Test-Driven Development applied to process documentation.**
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+
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+ **Personal skills live in your runtime's skills directory** — see [claude-code-tools.md](../using-superpowers/references/claude-code-tools.md), [codex-tools.md](../using-superpowers/references/codex-tools.md), [copilot-tools.md](../using-superpowers/references/copilot-tools.md), or [gemini-tools.md](../using-superpowers/references/gemini-tools.md) for the path on your runtime. Codex, Copilot CLI, and Gemini CLI all also recognize `~/.agents/skills/` as a cross-runtime alias.
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+
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+ 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).
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+
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+ **Core principle:** If you didn't watch an agent fail without the skill, you don't know if the skill teaches the right thing.
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+
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+ **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.
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+
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+ **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.
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+
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+ ## What is a Skill?
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+
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+ A **skill** is a reference guide for proven techniques, patterns, or tools. Skills help future agents find and apply effective approaches.
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+
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+ **Skills are:** Reusable techniques, patterns, tools, reference guides
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+
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+ **Skills are NOT:** Narratives about how you solved a problem once
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+
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+ ## TDD Mapping for Skills
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+
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+ | TDD Concept | Skill Creation |
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+ |-------------|----------------|
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+ | **Test case** | Pressure scenario with subagent |
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+ | **Production code** | Skill document (SKILL.md) |
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+ | **Test fails (RED)** | Agent violates rule without skill (baseline) |
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+ | **Test passes (GREEN)** | Agent complies with skill present |
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+ | **Refactor** | Close loopholes while maintaining compliance |
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+ | **Write test first** | Run baseline scenario BEFORE writing skill |
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+ | **Watch it fail** | Document exact rationalizations agent uses |
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+ | **Minimal code** | Write skill addressing those specific violations |
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+ | **Watch it pass** | Verify agent now complies |
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+ | **Refactor cycle** | Find new rationalizations → plug → re-verify |
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+
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+ The entire skill creation process follows RED-GREEN-REFACTOR.
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+
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+ ## When to Create a Skill
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+
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+ **Create when:**
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+ - Technique wasn't intuitively obvious to you
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+ - You'd reference this again across projects
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+ - Pattern applies broadly (not project-specific)
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+ - Others would benefit
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+
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+ **Don't create for:**
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+ - One-off solutions
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+ - Standard practices well-documented elsewhere
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+ - Project-specific conventions (put in your instructions file)
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+ - Mechanical constraints (if it's enforceable with regex/validation, automate it—save documentation for judgment calls)
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+
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+ ## Skill Types
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+
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+ ### Technique
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+ Concrete method with steps to follow (condition-based-waiting, root-cause-tracing)
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+
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+ ### Pattern
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+ Way of thinking about problems (flatten-with-flags, test-invariants)
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+
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+ ### Reference
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+ API docs, syntax guides, tool documentation (office docs)
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+
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+ ## Directory Structure
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+
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+
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+ ```
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+ skills/
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+ skill-name/
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+ SKILL.md # Main reference (required)
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+ supporting-file.* # Only if needed
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+ ```
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+
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+ **Flat namespace** - all skills in one searchable namespace
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+
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+ **Separate files for:**
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+ 1. **Heavy reference** (100+ lines) - API docs, comprehensive syntax
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+ 2. **Reusable tools** - Scripts, utilities, templates
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+
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+ **Keep inline:**
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+ - Principles and concepts
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+ - Code patterns (< 50 lines)
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+ - Everything else
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+
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+ ## SKILL.md Structure
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+
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+ **Frontmatter (YAML):**
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+ - Two required fields: `name` and `description` (see [agentskills.io/specification](https://agentskills.io/specification) for all supported fields)
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+ - Max 1024 characters total
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+ - `name`: Use letters, numbers, and hyphens only (no parentheses, special chars)
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+ - `description`: Third-person, describes ONLY when to use (NOT what it does)
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+ - Start with "Use when..." to focus on triggering conditions
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+ - Include specific symptoms, situations, and contexts
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+ - **NEVER summarize the skill's process or workflow** (see SDO section for why)
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+ - Keep under 500 characters if possible
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+
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+ ```markdown
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+ ---
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+ name: Skill-Name-With-Hyphens
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+ description: Use when [specific triggering conditions and symptoms]
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+ ---
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+
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+ # Skill Name
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+
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+ ## Overview
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+ What is this? Core principle in 1-2 sentences.
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+
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+ ## When to Use
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+ [Small inline flowchart IF decision non-obvious]
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+
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+ Bullet list with SYMPTOMS and use cases
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+ When NOT to use
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+
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+ ## Core Pattern (for techniques/patterns)
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+ Before/after code comparison
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+
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+ ## Quick Reference
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+ Table or bullets for scanning common operations
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+
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+ ## Implementation
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+ Inline code for simple patterns
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+ Link to file for heavy reference or reusable tools
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+
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+ ## Common Mistakes
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+ What goes wrong + fixes
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+
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+ ## Real-World Impact (optional)
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+ Concrete results
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+ ```
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+
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+
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+ ## Skill Discovery Optimization (SDO)
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+
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+ **Critical for discovery:** Future agents need to FIND your skill
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+
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+ ### 1. Rich Description Field
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+
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+ **Purpose:** Your agent reads the description to decide which skills to load for a given task. Make it answer: "Should I read this skill right now?"
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+
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+ **Format:** Start with "Use when..." to focus on triggering conditions
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+
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+ **CRITICAL: Description = When to Use, NOT What the Skill Does**
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+
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+ The description should ONLY describe triggering conditions. Do NOT summarize the skill's process or workflow in the description.
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+
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+ **Why this matters:** Testing revealed that when a description summarizes the skill's workflow, an agent may follow the description instead of reading the full skill content. A description saying "code review between tasks" caused an agent to do ONE review, even though the skill's flowchart clearly showed TWO reviews (spec compliance then code quality).
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+
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+ When the description was changed to just "Use when executing implementation plans with independent tasks" (no workflow summary), the agent correctly read the flowchart and followed the two-stage review process.
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+
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+ **The trap:** Descriptions that summarize workflow create a shortcut agents will take. The skill body becomes documentation agents skip.
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+
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+ ```yaml
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+ # ❌ BAD: Summarizes workflow - agents may follow this instead of reading skill
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+ description: Use when executing plans - dispatches subagent per task with code review between tasks
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+
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+ # ❌ BAD: Too much process detail
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+ description: Use for TDD - write test first, watch it fail, write minimal code, refactor
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+
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+ # ✅ GOOD: Just triggering conditions, no workflow summary
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+ description: Use when executing implementation plans with independent tasks in the current session
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+
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+ # ✅ GOOD: Triggering conditions only
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+ description: Use when implementing any feature or bugfix, before writing implementation code
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+ ```
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+
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+ **Content:**
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+ - Use concrete triggers, symptoms, and situations that signal this skill applies
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+ - Describe the *problem* (race conditions, inconsistent behavior) not *language-specific symptoms* (setTimeout, sleep)
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+ - Keep triggers technology-agnostic unless the skill itself is technology-specific
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+ - If skill is technology-specific, make that explicit in the trigger
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+ - Write in third person (injected into system prompt)
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+ - **NEVER summarize the skill's process or workflow**
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+
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+ ```yaml
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+ # ❌ BAD: Too abstract, vague, doesn't include when to use
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+ description: For async testing
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+
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+ # ❌ BAD: First person
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+ description: I can help you with async tests when they're flaky
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+
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+ # ❌ BAD: Mentions technology but skill isn't specific to it
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+ description: Use when tests use setTimeout/sleep and are flaky
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+
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+ # ✅ GOOD: Starts with "Use when", describes problem, no workflow
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+ description: Use when tests have race conditions, timing dependencies, or pass/fail inconsistently
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+
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+ # ✅ GOOD: Technology-specific skill with explicit trigger
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+ description: Use when using React Router and handling authentication redirects
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+ ```
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+
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+ ### 2. Keyword Coverage
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+
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+ Use words an agent would search for:
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+ - Error messages: "Hook timed out", "ENOTEMPTY", "race condition"
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+ - Symptoms: "flaky", "hanging", "zombie", "pollution"
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+ - Synonyms: "timeout/hang/freeze", "cleanup/teardown/afterEach"
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+ - Tools: Actual commands, library names, file types
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+
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+ ### 3. Descriptive Naming
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+
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+ **Use active voice, verb-first:**
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+ - ✅ `creating-skills` not `skill-creation`
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+ - ✅ `condition-based-waiting` not `async-test-helpers`
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+
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+ ### 4. Token Efficiency (Critical)
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+
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+ **Problem:** getting-started and frequently-referenced skills load into EVERY conversation. Every token counts.
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+
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+ **Target word counts:**
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+ - getting-started workflows: <150 words each
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+ - Frequently-loaded skills: <200 words total
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+ - Other skills: <500 words (still be concise)
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+
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+ **Techniques:**
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+
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+ **Move details to tool help:**
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+ ```bash
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+ # ❌ BAD: Document all flags in SKILL.md
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+ search-conversations supports --text, --both, --after DATE, --before DATE, --limit N
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+
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+ # ✅ GOOD: Reference --help
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+ search-conversations supports multiple modes and filters. Run --help for details.
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+ ```
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+
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+ **Use cross-references:**
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+ ```markdown
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+ # ❌ BAD: Repeat workflow details
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+ When searching, dispatch subagent with template...
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+ [20 lines of repeated instructions]
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+
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+ # ✅ GOOD: Reference other skill
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+ Always use subagents (50-100x context savings). REQUIRED: Use [other-skill-name] for workflow.
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+ ```
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+
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+ **Compress examples:**
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+ ```markdown
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+ # ❌ BAD: Verbose example (42 words)
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+ your human partner: "How did we handle authentication errors in React Router before?"
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+ You: I'll search past conversations for React Router authentication patterns.
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+ [Dispatch subagent with search query: "React Router authentication error handling 401"]
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+
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+ # ✅ GOOD: Minimal example (20 words)
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+ Partner: "How did we handle auth errors in React Router?"
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+ You: Searching...
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+ [Dispatch subagent → synthesis]
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+ ```
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+
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+ **Eliminate redundancy:**
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+ - Don't repeat what's in cross-referenced skills
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+ - Don't explain what's obvious from command
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+ - Don't include multiple examples of same pattern
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+
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+ **Verification:**
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+ ```bash
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+ wc -w skills/path/SKILL.md
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+ # getting-started workflows: aim for <150 each
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+ # Other frequently-loaded: aim for <200 total
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+ ```
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+
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+ **Name by what you DO or core insight:**
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+ - ✅ `condition-based-waiting` > `async-test-helpers`
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+ - ✅ `using-skills` not `skill-usage`
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+ - ✅ `flatten-with-flags` > `data-structure-refactoring`
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+ - ✅ `root-cause-tracing` > `debugging-techniques`
273
+
274
+ **Gerunds (-ing) work well for processes:**
275
+ - `creating-skills`, `testing-skills`, `debugging-with-logs`
276
+ - Active, describes the action you're taking
277
+
278
+ ### 5. Cross-Referencing Other Skills
279
+
280
+ **When writing documentation that references other skills:**
281
+
282
+ Use skill name only, with explicit requirement markers:
283
+ - ✅ Good: `**REQUIRED SUB-SKILL:** Use superpowers:test-driven-development`
284
+ - ✅ Good: `**REQUIRED BACKGROUND:** You MUST understand superpowers:systematic-debugging`
285
+ - ❌ Bad: `See skills/testing/test-driven-development` (unclear if required)
286
+ - ❌ Bad: `@skills/testing/test-driven-development/SKILL.md` (force-loads, burns context)
287
+
288
+ **Why no @ links:** `@` syntax force-loads files immediately, consuming 200k+ context before you need them.
289
+
290
+ ## Flowchart Usage
291
+
292
+ ```dot
293
+ digraph when_flowchart {
294
+ "Need to show information?" [shape=diamond];
295
+ "Decision where I might go wrong?" [shape=diamond];
296
+ "Use markdown" [shape=box];
297
+ "Small inline flowchart" [shape=box];
298
+
299
+ "Need to show information?" -> "Decision where I might go wrong?" [label="yes"];
300
+ "Decision where I might go wrong?" -> "Small inline flowchart" [label="yes"];
301
+ "Decision where I might go wrong?" -> "Use markdown" [label="no"];
302
+ }
303
+ ```
304
+
305
+ **Use flowcharts ONLY for:**
306
+ - Non-obvious decision points
307
+ - Process loops where you might stop too early
308
+ - "When to use A vs B" decisions
309
+
310
+ **Never use flowcharts for:**
311
+ - Reference material → Tables, lists
312
+ - Code examples → Markdown blocks
313
+ - Linear instructions → Numbered lists
314
+ - Labels without semantic meaning (step1, helper2)
315
+
316
+ See `graphviz-conventions.dot` in this directory for graphviz style rules.
317
+
318
+ **Visualizing for your human partner:** Use `render-graphs.js` in this directory to render a skill's flowcharts to SVG:
319
+ ```bash
320
+ ./render-graphs.js ../some-skill # Each diagram separately
321
+ ./render-graphs.js ../some-skill --combine # All diagrams in one SVG
322
+ ```
323
+
324
+ ## Code Examples
325
+
326
+ **One excellent example beats many mediocre ones**
327
+
328
+ Choose most relevant language:
329
+ - Testing techniques → TypeScript/JavaScript
330
+ - System debugging → Shell/Python
331
+ - Data processing → Python
332
+
333
+ **Good example:**
334
+ - Complete and runnable
335
+ - Well-commented explaining WHY
336
+ - From real scenario
337
+ - Shows pattern clearly
338
+ - Ready to adapt (not generic template)
339
+
340
+ **Don't:**
341
+ - Implement in 5+ languages
342
+ - Create fill-in-the-blank templates
343
+ - Write contrived examples
344
+
345
+ You're good at porting - one great example is enough.
346
+
347
+ ## File Organization
348
+
349
+ ### Self-Contained Skill
350
+ ```
351
+ defense-in-depth/
352
+ SKILL.md # Everything inline
353
+ ```
354
+ When: All content fits, no heavy reference needed
355
+
356
+ ### Skill with Reusable Tool
357
+ ```
358
+ condition-based-waiting/
359
+ SKILL.md # Overview + patterns
360
+ example.ts # Working helpers to adapt
361
+ ```
362
+ When: Tool is reusable code, not just narrative
363
+
364
+ ### Skill with Heavy Reference
365
+ ```
366
+ pptx/
367
+ SKILL.md # Overview + workflows
368
+ pptxgenjs.md # 600 lines API reference
369
+ ooxml.md # 500 lines XML structure
370
+ scripts/ # Executable tools
371
+ ```
372
+ When: Reference material too large for inline
373
+
374
+ ## The Iron Law (Same as TDD)
375
+
376
+ ```
377
+ NO SKILL WITHOUT A FAILING TEST FIRST
378
+ ```
379
+
380
+ This applies to NEW skills AND EDITS to existing skills.
381
+
382
+ Write skill before testing? Delete it. Start over.
383
+ Edit skill without testing? Same violation.
384
+
385
+ **No exceptions:**
386
+ - Not for "simple additions"
387
+ - Not for "just adding a section"
388
+ - Not for "documentation updates"
389
+ - Don't keep untested changes as "reference"
390
+ - Don't "adapt" while running tests
391
+ - Delete means delete
392
+
393
+ **REQUIRED BACKGROUND:** The superpowers:test-driven-development skill explains why this matters. Same principles apply to documentation.
394
+
395
+ ## Testing All Skill Types
396
+
397
+ Different skill types need different test approaches:
398
+
399
+ ### Discipline-Enforcing Skills (rules/requirements)
400
+
401
+ **Examples:** TDD, verification-before-completion, designing-before-coding
402
+
403
+ **Test with:**
404
+ - Academic questions: Do they understand the rules?
405
+ - Pressure scenarios: Do they comply under stress?
406
+ - Multiple pressures combined: time + sunk cost + exhaustion
407
+ - Identify rationalizations and add explicit counters
408
+
409
+ **Success criteria:** Agent follows rule under maximum pressure
410
+
411
+ ### Technique Skills (how-to guides)
412
+
413
+ **Examples:** condition-based-waiting, root-cause-tracing, defensive-programming
414
+
415
+ **Test with:**
416
+ - Application scenarios: Can they apply the technique correctly?
417
+ - Variation scenarios: Do they handle edge cases?
418
+ - Missing information tests: Do instructions have gaps?
419
+
420
+ **Success criteria:** Agent successfully applies technique to new scenario
421
+
422
+ ### Pattern Skills (mental models)
423
+
424
+ **Examples:** reducing-complexity, information-hiding concepts
425
+
426
+ **Test with:**
427
+ - Recognition scenarios: Do they recognize when pattern applies?
428
+ - Application scenarios: Can they use the mental model?
429
+ - Counter-examples: Do they know when NOT to apply?
430
+
431
+ **Success criteria:** Agent correctly identifies when/how to apply pattern
432
+
433
+ ### Reference Skills (documentation/APIs)
434
+
435
+ **Examples:** API documentation, command references, library guides
436
+
437
+ **Test with:**
438
+ - Retrieval scenarios: Can they find the right information?
439
+ - Application scenarios: Can they use what they found correctly?
440
+ - Gap testing: Are common use cases covered?
441
+
442
+ **Success criteria:** Agent finds and correctly applies reference information
443
+
444
+ ## Common Rationalizations for Skipping Testing
445
+
446
+ | Excuse | Reality |
447
+ |--------|---------|
448
+ | "Skill is obviously clear" | Clear to you ≠ clear to other agents. Test it. |
449
+ | "It's just a reference" | References can have gaps, unclear sections. Test retrieval. |
450
+ | "Testing is overkill" | Untested skills have issues. Always. 15 min testing saves hours. |
451
+ | "I'll test if problems emerge" | Problems = agents can't use skill. Test BEFORE deploying. |
452
+ | "Too tedious to test" | Testing is less tedious than debugging bad skill in production. |
453
+ | "I'm confident it's good" | Overconfidence guarantees issues. Test anyway. |
454
+ | "Academic review is enough" | Reading ≠ using. Test application scenarios. |
455
+ | "No time to test" | Deploying untested skill wastes more time fixing it later. |
456
+
457
+ **All of these mean: Test before deploying. No exceptions.**
458
+
459
+ ## Match the Form to the Failure
460
+
461
+ Before writing guidance, classify the baseline failure. The form that bulletproofs one failure type measurably backfires on another.
462
+
463
+ | Baseline failure | Right form | Wrong form |
464
+ |---|---|---|
465
+ | Skips/violates a rule under pressure (knows better, does it anyway) | Prohibition + rationalization table + red flags (see Bulletproofing below) | Soft guidance ("prefer...", "consider...") |
466
+ | Complies, but output has the wrong shape (bloated prompt, buried verdict, restated spec) | Positive recipe or contract: state what the output IS — its parts, in order | Prohibition list ("don't restate", "never narrate") |
467
+ | Omits a required element from something they already produce | Structural: REQUIRED field or slot in the template they fill in | Prose reminders near the template |
468
+ | Behavior should depend on a condition | Conditional keyed to an observable predicate ("if the brief exists, reference it") | Unconditional rule + exemption clauses |
469
+
470
+ **Why prohibitions backfire on shaping problems:** under a competing incentive ("make the prompt self-contained"), agents negotiate with "don't X". In head-to-head wording tests on dispatch-prompt guidance, the prohibition arm produced clearly more of the unwanted content than the recipe arm (fully separated distributions), and trended worse than even the no-guidance control — micro-test your own case rather than assuming, but never reach for the prohibition by default. A recipe leaves nothing to negotiate: the output matches the stated shape or it doesn't.
471
+
472
+ **Rules for whichever form you pick:**
473
+ - **No nuance clauses.** "Don't X unless it matters" reopens the negotiation — appending a single nuance clause to a winning recipe degraded it from consistent to noisy in the same wording tests. Express a real exception as its own conditional on an observable predicate.
474
+ - **Exemption clauses don't scope.** "This limit doesn't apply to code blocks" still suppresses code blocks. If part of the output must be exempt, restructure so the rule can't reach it.
475
+
476
+ ## Bulletproofing Skills Against Rationalization
477
+
478
+ Skills that enforce discipline (like TDD) need to resist rationalization. Agents are smart and will find loopholes when under pressure.
479
+
480
+ **Scope:** this toolkit is for discipline failures — an agent that knows the rule and skips it under pressure. For wrong-shaped output or omitted elements, prohibition-based bulletproofing backfires; use the forms in Match the Form to the Failure instead.
481
+
482
+ **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.
483
+
484
+ ### Close Every Loophole Explicitly
485
+
486
+ Don't just state the rule - forbid specific workarounds:
487
+
488
+ <Bad>
489
+ ```markdown
490
+ Write code before test? Delete it.
491
+ ```
492
+ </Bad>
493
+
494
+ <Good>
495
+ ```markdown
496
+ Write code before test? Delete it. Start over.
497
+
498
+ **No exceptions:**
499
+ - Don't keep it as "reference"
500
+ - Don't "adapt" it while writing tests
501
+ - Don't look at it
502
+ - Delete means delete
503
+ ```
504
+ </Good>
505
+
506
+ ### Address "Spirit vs Letter" Arguments
507
+
508
+ Add foundational principle early:
509
+
510
+ ```markdown
511
+ **Violating the letter of the rules is violating the spirit of the rules.**
512
+ ```
513
+
514
+ This cuts off entire class of "I'm following the spirit" rationalizations.
515
+
516
+ ### Build Rationalization Table
517
+
518
+ Capture rationalizations from baseline testing (see Testing section below). Every excuse agents make goes in the table:
519
+
520
+ ```markdown
521
+ | Excuse | Reality |
522
+ |--------|---------|
523
+ | "Too simple to test" | Simple code breaks. Test takes 30 seconds. |
524
+ | "I'll test after" | Tests passing immediately prove nothing. |
525
+ | "Tests after achieve same goals" | Tests-after = "what does this do?" Tests-first = "what should this do?" |
526
+ ```
527
+
528
+ ### Create Red Flags List
529
+
530
+ Make it easy for agents to self-check when rationalizing:
531
+
532
+ ```markdown
533
+ ## Red Flags - STOP and Start Over
534
+
535
+ - Code before test
536
+ - "I already manually tested it"
537
+ - "Tests after achieve the same purpose"
538
+ - "It's about spirit not ritual"
539
+ - "This is different because..."
540
+
541
+ **All of these mean: Delete code. Start over with TDD.**
542
+ ```
543
+
544
+ ### Update SDO for Violation Symptoms
545
+
546
+ Add to description: symptoms of when you're ABOUT to violate the rule:
547
+
548
+ ```yaml
549
+ description: use when implementing any feature or bugfix, before writing implementation code
550
+ ```
551
+
552
+ ## RED-GREEN-REFACTOR for Skills
553
+
554
+ Follow the TDD cycle:
555
+
556
+ ### RED: Write Failing Test (Baseline)
557
+
558
+ Run pressure scenario with subagent WITHOUT the skill. Document exact behavior:
559
+ - What choices did they make?
560
+ - What rationalizations did they use (verbatim)?
561
+ - Which pressures triggered violations?
562
+
563
+ This is "watch the test fail" - you must see what agents naturally do before writing the skill.
564
+
565
+ ### GREEN: Write Minimal Skill
566
+
567
+ Write skill that addresses those specific rationalizations. Don't add extra content for hypothetical cases.
568
+
569
+ Run same scenarios WITH skill. Agent should now comply.
570
+
571
+ ### REFACTOR: Close Loopholes
572
+
573
+ Agent found new rationalization? Add explicit counter. Re-test until bulletproof.
574
+
575
+ ### Micro-Test Wording Before Full Scenarios
576
+
577
+ Full pressure-scenario runs are the final gate, but they are slow and expensive per iteration. Verify the wording itself first with micro-tests:
578
+
579
+ 1. **One fresh-context sample per call** — a raw API call, or a single-shot subagent if you don't have API access. System prompt = the realistic context the guidance will live in (the full skill or prompt template, not the guidance in isolation); user message = a task that tempts the failure.
580
+ 2. **Always include a no-guidance control.** If the control doesn't exhibit the failure, there is nothing to fix — stop, don't author the guidance.
581
+ 3. **5+ reps per variant.** Single samples lie.
582
+ 4. **Manually read every flagged match.** Score programmatically if you like, but template echoes and quoted counter-examples masquerade as hits; automated counts alone overstate both failure and success.
583
+ 5. **Variance is a metric.** When guidance lands, reps converge on the same shape. Five different interpretations across five reps means the wording isn't binding — tighten the form before adding words.
584
+
585
+ Micro-tests verify wording; they do not replace pressure scenarios for discipline skills.
586
+
587
+ **Testing methodology:** See [testing-skills-with-subagents.md](testing-skills-with-subagents.md) for the complete testing methodology:
588
+ - How to write pressure scenarios
589
+ - Pressure types (time, sunk cost, authority, exhaustion)
590
+ - Plugging holes systematically
591
+ - Meta-testing techniques
592
+
593
+ ## Anti-Patterns
594
+
595
+ ### ❌ Narrative Example
596
+ "In session 2025-10-03, we found empty projectDir caused..."
597
+ **Why bad:** Too specific, not reusable
598
+
599
+ ### ❌ Multi-Language Dilution
600
+ example-js.js, example-py.py, example-go.go
601
+ **Why bad:** Mediocre quality, maintenance burden
602
+
603
+ ### ❌ Code in Flowcharts
604
+ ```dot
605
+ step1 [label="import fs"];
606
+ step2 [label="read file"];
607
+ ```
608
+ **Why bad:** Can't copy-paste, hard to read
609
+
610
+ ### ❌ Generic Labels
611
+ helper1, helper2, step3, pattern4
612
+ **Why bad:** Labels should have semantic meaning
613
+
614
+ ## STOP: Before Moving to Next Skill
615
+
616
+ **After writing ANY skill, you MUST STOP and complete the deployment process.**
617
+
618
+ **Do NOT:**
619
+ - Create multiple skills in batch without testing each
620
+ - Move to next skill before current one is verified
621
+ - Skip testing because "batching is more efficient"
622
+
623
+ **The deployment checklist below is MANDATORY for EACH skill.**
624
+
625
+ Deploying untested skills = deploying untested code. It's a violation of quality standards.
626
+
627
+ ## Skill Creation Checklist (TDD Adapted)
628
+
629
+ **IMPORTANT: Create a todo for EACH checklist item below.**
630
+
631
+ **RED Phase - Write Failing Test:**
632
+ - [ ] Create pressure scenarios (3+ combined pressures for discipline skills)
633
+ - [ ] Run scenarios WITHOUT skill - document baseline behavior verbatim
634
+ - [ ] Identify patterns in rationalizations/failures
635
+
636
+ **GREEN Phase - Write Minimal Skill:**
637
+ - [ ] Name uses only letters, numbers, hyphens (no parentheses/special chars)
638
+ - [ ] YAML frontmatter with required `name` and `description` fields (max 1024 chars; see [spec](https://agentskills.io/specification))
639
+ - [ ] Description starts with "Use when..." and includes specific triggers/symptoms
640
+ - [ ] Description written in third person
641
+ - [ ] Keywords throughout for search (errors, symptoms, tools)
642
+ - [ ] Clear overview with core principle
643
+ - [ ] Address specific baseline failures identified in RED
644
+ - [ ] Guidance form matches the failure type (see Match the Form to the Failure)
645
+ - [ ] For behavior-shaping guidance: wording micro-tested against a no-guidance control (5+ reps, every flagged match read manually) — N/A for pure reference skills
646
+ - [ ] Code inline OR link to separate file
647
+ - [ ] One excellent example (not multi-language)
648
+ - [ ] Run scenarios WITH skill - verify agents now comply
649
+
650
+ **REFACTOR Phase - Close Loopholes:**
651
+ - [ ] Identify NEW rationalizations from testing
652
+ - [ ] Add explicit counters (if discipline skill)
653
+ - [ ] Build rationalization table from all test iterations
654
+ - [ ] Create red flags list
655
+ - [ ] Re-test until bulletproof
656
+
657
+ **Quality Checks:**
658
+ - [ ] Small flowchart only if decision non-obvious
659
+ - [ ] Quick reference table
660
+ - [ ] Common mistakes section
661
+ - [ ] No narrative storytelling
662
+ - [ ] Supporting files only for tools or heavy reference
663
+
664
+ **Deployment:**
665
+ - [ ] Commit skill to git and push to your fork (if configured)
666
+ - [ ] Consider contributing back via PR (if broadly useful)
667
+
668
+ ## Discovery Workflow
669
+
670
+ How future agents find your skill:
671
+
672
+ 1. **Encounters problem** ("tests are flaky")
673
+ 2. **Searches skills** (greps descriptions, browses categories)
674
+ 3. **Finds SKILL** (description matches)
675
+ 4. **Scans overview** (is this relevant?)
676
+ 5. **Reads patterns** (quick reference table)
677
+ 6. **Loads example** (only when implementing)
678
+
679
+ **Optimize for this flow** - put searchable terms early and often.
680
+
681
+ ## The Bottom Line
682
+
683
+ **Creating skills IS TDD for process documentation.**
684
+
685
+ Same Iron Law: No skill without failing test first.
686
+ Same cycle: RED (baseline) → GREEN (write skill) → REFACTOR (close loopholes).
687
+ Same benefits: Better quality, fewer surprises, bulletproof results.
688
+
689
+ If you follow TDD for code, follow it for skills. It's the same discipline applied to documentation.