Using Superpowers

Using Superpowers

The Core Rule

If there is even a 1% chance a skill applies to the current task, invoke it.

Skills are cheap to load. Failing to use an applicable skill is expensive.

How to Find Skills

At the start of every new task:

1. Review available skills (check ~/.openclaw/extensions/superpowers/skills/)
2. Ask: "Does any skill match what I'm about to do?"
3. If yes → load and follow the skill exactly
4. If no → proceed with default behavior

In OpenClaw's persistent agent context, check skills at the start of every new task, not just new conversations. A long-running session may handle many different task types.

Decision Flowchart

New task received
    ↓
Does any skill apply? (even 1% chance → YES)
    ↓
YES → Announce: "Using [skill-name] to [purpose]"
      Load skill file
      Follow instructions exactly
      ↓
      Complete or hand off cleanly

NO → Proceed with default agent behavior

Priority Hierarchy

1. User instructions — always highest priority
2. Skills — override default behavior when applicable
3. Default behavior — fallback when no skill applies

Announcing Skill Usage

When you invoke a skill, say so:

"Using brainstorming to explore approaches before writing code." "Using systematic-debugging to diagnose this error."

This keeps the human informed and lets them redirect if needed.

OpenClaw-Specific Notes

• In persistent sessions, skills should be checked at the start of each new task, not just session start
• Skills around task-handoff and agent-self-recovery matter more in OpenClaw than in session-based tools — don't skip them
• If a task will take more than ~20 minutes, check long-running-task-management first