How do I install the Squirrel skill?

Run npx skillmds@latest add arjumaan/squirrel in your terminal (requires Node.js), paste this page's agent-chat prompt into Claude, Cursor, or any MCP-connected agent, or download the SKILL.md file and copy it into your agent's skills directory.

Is Squirrel safe to use?

This skill has not completed SkillMD's automated safety review yet. Independent scanners report: SkillSpector: PASS, Skill Scanner: PASS. Capability flags: docs only. SkillMD never runs a skill's scripts for you; review the SKILL.md before installing.

Which AI agents work with Squirrel?

This skill is tagged as working with Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex. SKILL.md is an open format, so most agents that read a skills directory can load it too.

Is Squirrel free to use?

Yes. Installing skills from SkillMD is free. This skill is licensed under Apache-2.

Who published Squirrel?

Arjumaan (@arjumaan) published this skill. Their other Agent Skills are listed on their SkillMD profile.

Squirrel by arjumaan — Agent Skill

Name: Squirrel
Rating: 4.2 (5 reviews)
Author: Arjumaan

File contents

Squirrel — Full-Cycle Software Development Skill

Overview

Squirrel is a full-cycle AI coding skill that works across 9 AI coding agents. It auto-detects project state (greenfield, in-progress, or mature) and adapts its 8-phase engineering pipeline accordingly. Instead of a one-size-fits-all workflow, it figures out where the project actually is and jumps in at exactly the right point.

When to Use This Skill

Use when starting a new project from scratch (greenfield)
Use when improving an existing codebase (in-progress or mature)
Use when fixing bugs, adding features, or refactoring
Use when adding tests, linting, or CI/CD to a project
Use when writing production-grade documentation
Use when the user says "build me", "fix this", "squirrel this project", or any multi-step development task

How It Works

Step 0: Detect Mode

Squirrel classifies the project directory:

Signal	Mode	Entry Point
Empty directory	Greenfield	All 8 phases from scratch
Source files, no tests/docs	In-Progress	Audit first, then improve
Source + tests + CI + README	Mature	Targeted improvements
"fix this bug / add feature"	Targeted	Scoped work only

The 8-Phase Pipeline

Discover — Understand the project (audit existing code or gather requirements)
Plan — Concrete task list with dependencies and done-criteria
Build — Write or modify code (parallel sub-agents when supported)
Test — Run existing tests, write new ones, 70%+ coverage target
Bug Hunt — Static analysis + manual review
Polish — Lint, format, type check, remove dead code
Document — README + inline docs (update existing, don't overwrite)
Ship — Final checklist: tests green, no secrets, CI configured

Failure Recovery (3-Strike Rule)

Strike 1: Fix the specific error. Run tests. Move on.
Strike 2: Re-read the code. Try a different approach.
Strike 3: STOP. Revert. Document what failed. Ask the user.

Examples

Example 1: Build a REST API

> build me a REST API for a todo app with TypeScript and Express

Squirrel auto-detects greenfield mode and runs all 8 phases.

Example 2: Fix a bug

> fix this bug in src/auth/login.py

Squirrel enters targeted mode — abbreviated audit, scoped fix, verify.

Example 3: Improve existing project

> squirrel this project — add tests, fix lint errors, write README

Squirrel audits the existing codebase, then applies phases 4-8.

Best Practices

Respects existing code — matches naming conventions, test framework, import style, and architecture
Reads 2-3 similar files before writing a new one
Never suppresses type errors with as any or @ts-ignore
Never deletes failing tests to "pass"
Never leaves code in a broken state

Platform Compatibility

Squirrel works on: Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, Antigravity, Gemini CLI, GitHub Copilot, Windsurf, OpenCode, Aider (9 total).

Install with:

# Universal installer
npx skills add flyingsquirrel0419/squirrel-skill

Limitations

Does not replace environment-specific validation or expert review
CI/CD templates are starting points, not drop-in guarantees
Parallel sub-agent execution depends on platform support

Related Skills

@brainstorming - For planning before implementation
@test-driven-development - For TDD-oriented workflows
@systematic-debugging - For methodical problem-solving

---name: squirreldescription: Full-cycle AI coding skill: plans, builds, tests, lints, fixes bugs, and writes production-grade docs. Auto-detects project state and adapts its 8-phase pipeline.license: Apache-2.0---# Squirrel — Full-Cycle Software Development Skill## OverviewSquirrel is a full-cycle AI coding skill that works across 9 AI coding agents. It auto-detects project state (greenfield, in-progress, or mature) and adapts its 8-phase engineering pipeline accordingly. Instead of a one-size-fits-all workflow, it figures out where the project actually is and jumps in at exactly the right point.## When to Use This Skill- Use when starting a new project from scratch (greenfield)- Use when improving an existing codebase (in-progress or mature)- Use when fixing bugs, adding features, or refactoring- Use when adding tests, linting, or CI/CD to a project- Use when writing production-grade documentation- Use when the user says "build me", "fix this", "squirrel this project", or any multi-step development task## How It Works### Step 0: Detect ModeSquirrel classifies the project directory:| Signal | Mode | Entry Point ||--------|------|-------------|| Empty directory | Greenfield | All 8 phases from scratch || Source files, no tests/docs | In-Progress | Audit first, then improve || Source + tests + CI + README | Mature | Targeted improvements || "fix this bug / add feature" | Targeted | Scoped work only |### The 8-Phase Pipeline1. **Discover** — Understand the project (audit existing code or gather requirements)2. **Plan** — Concrete task list with dependencies and done-criteria3. **Build** — Write or modify code (parallel sub-agents when supported)4. **Test** — Run existing tests, write new ones, 70%+ coverage target5. **Bug Hunt** — Static analysis + manual review6. **Polish** — Lint, format, type check, remove dead code7. **Document** — README + inline docs (update existing, don't overwrite)8. **Ship** — Final checklist: tests green, no secrets, CI configured### Failure Recovery (3-Strike Rule)1. **Strike 1:** Fix the specific error. Run tests. Move on.2. **Strike 2:** Re-read the code. Try a different approach.3. **Strike 3:** STOP. Revert. Document what failed. Ask the user.## Examples### Example 1: Build a REST API```text> build me a REST API for a todo app with TypeScript and Express```Squirrel auto-detects greenfield mode and runs all 8 phases.### Example 2: Fix a bug```text> fix this bug in src/auth/login.py```Squirrel enters targeted mode — abbreviated audit, scoped fix, verify.### Example 3: Improve existing project```text> squirrel this project — add tests, fix lint errors, write README```Squirrel audits the existing codebase, then applies phases 4-8.## Best Practices- Respects existing code — matches naming conventions, test framework, import style, and architecture- Reads 2-3 similar files before writing a new one- Never suppresses type errors with `as any` or `@ts-ignore`- Never deletes failing tests to "pass"- Never leaves code in a broken state## Platform CompatibilitySquirrel works on: Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, Antigravity, Gemini CLI, GitHub Copilot, Windsurf, OpenCode, Aider (9 total).Install with:```bash# Universal installernpx skills add flyingsquirrel0419/squirrel-skill```## Limitations- Does not replace environment-specific validation or expert review- CI/CD templates are starting points, not drop-in guarantees- Parallel sub-agent execution depends on platform support## Related Skills- `@brainstorming` - For planning before implementation- `@test-driven-development` - For TDD-oriented workflows- `@systematic-debugging` - For methodical problem-solving

Frequently asked questions

Squirrel