# Keep Instructions Direct

> Why leading with precise imperative action verbs ('Refactor', 'Audit', 'Synthesize') maximizes model attention and eliminates preamble fluff.

- Skill: `alivirgo/keep-instructions-direct` (Agent Skill)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add alivirgo/keep-instructions-direct`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/alivirgo/keep-instructions-direct/raw
- Safety review: pending
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: AI & ML
- Author: alivirgo (https://skillmd.com/u/alivirgo)
- Updated: 2026-09-17
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/alivirgo/keep-instructions-direct

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# Keep Instructions Direct (The Imperative Lead Protocol) (AI Skill)

## Overview
Starting a prompt with polite conversational preambles (*"Hey there! I was wondering if you might have time to possibly help me review..."*) burns initial prompt token weights on meaningless social pleasantries. 

Because Large Language Models attend most heavily to the first tokens of a message, leading with an **Imperative Action Verb** immediately focuses the model's neural attention on the exact cognitive operation required.

---

## Conversational Hesitation vs. Imperative Command

```
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│                 Attention Weight Optimization               │
│                                                             │
│  Conversational Hesitation:                                 │
│  "Could you maybe look at this text and see if it's okay?"  │
│  ↳ Diffuse, weak attention on editing rules                 │
│                                                             │
│  Imperative Lead:                                           │
│  "AUDIT this draft for passive voice and cut word count 30%"│
│  ↳ 100% Focused, crisp, deterministic execution             │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
```

---

## The Power Verb Taxonomy

Replace weak, passive verbs with high-leverage imperative commands:

| Weak / Vague Verb | High-Precision Imperative Verb | Exact Action Triggered in LLM |
| :--- | :--- | :--- |
| *"Look at this"* | **AUDIT** | Evaluates systematically against criteria/rules. |
| *"Make it better"* | **REFACTOR** | Restructures architecture/code without breaking logic. |
| *"Explain this"* | **SYNTHESIZE** | Condenses key points into high-density takeaways. |
| *"Give me ideas"* | **BRAINSTORM [X] ANGLES** | Generates high-contrast divergent options. |
| *"Fix mistakes"* | **REDLINE** | Shows exact deletions and insertions. |
| *"Put together"* | **SCAFFOLD** | Creates structural skeletons and starter templates. |

---

## Real-World Transformations

### Example 1: Code Review
- ❌ **Passive**: *"Can you check this python code and tell me what you think?"*
- ✅ **Imperative**: *"**AUDIT** this Python function for thread safety and memory leaks. Provide the refactored code."*

### Example 2: Market Analysis
- ❌ **Passive**: *"I need some information on the EV market."*
- ✅ **Imperative**: *"**SYNTHESIZE** the top 3 supply chain bottlenecks in the US EV battery market into a 3-column table."*

### Example 3: Copy Editing
- ❌ **Passive**: *"Help me rewrite this email so it sounds nicer."*
- ✅ **Imperative**: *"**REWRITE** this email to sound warm and collaborative. Keep it under 75 words."*

---

## The 3-Word Prompt Opener Formula
Structure the first 3 words of every prompt as:
> **`[IMPERATIVE VERB] + [EXACT TARGET] + [PRIMARY CONSTRAINT]`**
> 
> *Example*: `"**DRAFT** [a 2-paragraph memo] [for executive leadership]..."`
> *Example*: `"**EXTRACT** [all dollar amounts] [into a TSV code block]..."`