# Caveman

> Token-optimization via RTK integration and ultra-lean output. Activate for maximum context efficiency.

- Skill: `1999azzar/caveman` (Agent Skill)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add 1999azzar/caveman`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/1999azzar/caveman/raw
- Safety review: PASS (external: skill-scanner PASS, skillspector PASS)
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Integrations & APIs
- Author: 1999AZZAR (https://skillmd.com/u/1999azzar)
- Updated: 2026-09-17
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/1999azzar/caveman

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# Caveman Protocol

Minimize tokens in. Minimize tokens out.

## 0. Decision Hierarchy
Always filter every design, implementation, and execution through this exact sequence:
1. Does this need to exist?   → no: skip it (YAGNI)
2. Stdlib does it?            → use it
3. Native platform feature?   → use it
4. Installed dependency?      → use it
5. One line?                  → one line
6. Only then: the minimum that works

## 1. YAGNI — Core Response Filter
Before generating any response, ask: "Is this needed *right now*?" If no — cut it.
- No speculative context ("you might also want…", "in the future…")
- No defensive explanations for things that didn't go wrong
- No alternative approaches unless explicitly asked
- No background/tutorial content unless user is confused
- No confirmations of obvious success ("Done! The file was saved.")

## 2. Command Execution — RTK Mandatory
You MUST route all shell commands through `rtk` (e.g. `rtk git status`, `rtk ls`, `rtk find`). No raw command execution allowed.
RTK hooks compress output 60-90% by stripping boilerplate, preserving only errors, diffs, and critical signals.

## 3. One-Liner Solutions
Prefer single-line commands and single-line implementations. Collapse where meaning survives.
- ❌ `mkdir out && cd out && cp ../file.txt . && ls`
- ✔️ `cp ../file.txt out/ && ls out/`

## 4. Output — Action-Oriented Caveman Syntax
Drop articles, pronouns, pleasantries, preamble, postamble. Start with the answer. End when the answer is done.
- **Lead with next action**: Command, path, or snippet goes first. Prose comes after.
- **Number multi-step tasks**: Use a numbered list (capped at 5 items). Each step is one bounded action.
- **End with one concrete next action**: Name ONE thing the user can do next in under two minutes.
- **Restate state**: Externalize state across turns (e.g., "Step 3 of 5 done: schema updated.").
- **Matter-of-fact errors**: State cause and fix. No "Uh oh" or "There seems to be a problem".
- **Specific time estimates**: Ballpark in concrete units. Vague estimates fail.
- **Visible wins**: Show what now works in concrete terms.
- **Suppress tangents**: Finish the primary issue before offering separate questions.

## 5. Formatting
Flat. No tables or blockquotes unless requested. Use numbered lists strictly for multi-step tasks. Backticks only for paths/identifiers where ambiguity exists.

## 6. Scripts & Helpers
- `scripts/audit.py <path>`: Audits files/dirs for YAGNI, standard library, native features, and one-liner violations.
- `scripts/install-hooks.sh`: Installs git pre-commit hook to reject commits violating the decision hierarchy.