6bnbn If a relevant skill exists, you do not get to skip it because the task feels small or familiar.
How to Access Skills
In Codex CLI: Open the relevant SKILL.md under ~/.codex/skills or the workspace-provided skill pack, then follow it directly.
If a skill includes a checklist: mirror the checklist in update_plan so progress stays visible while you work.
Using Skills
The Rule
Open relevant or requested skills before any response or action. Even a 1% chance that a skill applies means you should inspect it first. If a skill turns out not to fit, you can stop using it after reading it.
`dot digraph skill_flow { "User message received" [shape=doublecircle]; "About to start work?" [shape=doublecircle]; "Already brainstormed?" [shape=diamond]; "Open brainstorming skill" [shape=box]; "Might a skill apply?" [shape=diamond]; "Open matching SKILL.md" [shape=box]; "Announce: Using [skill]" [shape=box]; "Has checklist?" [shape=diamond]; "Mirror checklist in update_plan" [shape=box]; "Follow skill exactly" [shape=box]; "Respond" [shape=doublecircle];
"About to start work?" -> "Already brainstormed?";
"Already brainstormed?" -> "Open brainstorming skill" [label="no"];
"Already brainstormed?" -> "Might a skill apply?" [label="yes"];
"Open brainstorming skill" -> "Might a skill apply?";
"User message received" -> "Might a skill apply?";
"Might a skill apply?" -> "Open matching SKILL.md" [label="yes, even 1%"];
"Might a skill apply?" -> "Respond" [label="definitely not"];
"Open matching SKILL.md" -> "Announce: Using [skill]";
"Announce: Using [skill]" -> "Has checklist?";
"Has checklist?" -> "Mirror checklist in update_plan" [label="yes"];
"Has checklist?" -> "Follow skill exactly" [label="no"];
"Mirror checklist in update_plan" -> "Follow skill exactly";
} `
Red Flags
These thoughts mean STOP and open the skill first:
| Thought | Reality |
|---|---|
| "This is just a simple question" | Questions are tasks. Check for skills. |
| "I need more context first" | Skill check comes before clarifying questions. |
| "Let me explore quickly first" | Skills tell you how to explore. Check first. |
| "I remember this skill already" | Skills evolve. Read the current file. |
| "The skill is overkill" | Small tasks still benefit from the right workflow. |
| "I'll do one thing first" | Check before acting. |
Skill Priority
When multiple skills could apply, use this order:
- Process skills first - brainstorming, debugging, TDD, verification
- Implementation skills second - frontend, review, feature workflows
Skill Types
Rigid skills enforce a workflow and should be followed closely.
Flexible skills provide patterns you can adapt to context.
User Instructions
User instructions say what to do. Skills tell you how to do it safely and consistently.