autovant IF A SKILL APPLIES TO YOUR TASK, YOU DO NOT HAVE A CHOICE. YOU MUST USE IT.
This is not negotiable. This is not optional. You cannot rationalize your way out of this.
Instruction Priority
Superpowers skills override default system prompt behavior, but user instructions always take precedence:
- User's explicit instructions (copilot-instructions.md, .instructions.md, direct requests) — highest priority
- Superpowers skills — override default system behavior where they conflict
- Default system prompt — lowest priority
If your project instructions say "don't use TDD" and a skill says "always use TDD," follow the user's instructions. The user is in control.
How to Access Skills
Use read_file on the skill's SKILL.md file to load it. Skills are referenced by file path from your .github/copilot-instructions.md.
Tool Mapping
Some skills reference Claude Code tool names. Use these Copilot equivalents:
Task→runSubagentTodoWrite→manage_todo_listSkill→read_fileon the SKILL.md pathRead/Write/Edit→read_file/create_file/replace_string_in_fileBash→run_in_terminal
Full mapping: references/copilot-tools.md
Using Skills
The Rule
Invoke relevant or requested skills BEFORE any response or action. Even a 1% chance a skill might apply means that you should invoke the skill to check. If an invoked skill turns out to be wrong for the situation, you don't need to use it.
digraph skill_flow {
"User message received" [shape=doublecircle];
"About to EnterPlanMode?" [shape=doublecircle];
"Already brainstormed?" [shape=diamond];
"Invoke brainstorming skill" [shape=box];
"Might any skill apply?" [shape=diamond];
"Read skill file" [shape=box];
"Announce: 'Using [skill] to [purpose]'" [shape=box];
"Has checklist?" [shape=diamond];
"Create manage_todo_list per item" [shape=box];
"Follow skill exactly" [shape=box];
"Respond (including clarifications)" [shape=doublecircle];
"About to EnterPlanMode?" -> "Already brainstormed?";
"Already brainstormed?" -> "Invoke brainstorming skill" [label="no"];
"Already brainstormed?" -> "Might any skill apply?" [label="yes"];
"Invoke brainstorming skill" -> "Might any skill apply?";
"User message received" -> "Might any skill apply?";
"Might any skill apply?" -> "Read skill file" [label="yes, even 1%"];
"Might any skill apply?" -> "Respond (including clarifications)" [label="definitely not"];
"Read skill file" -> "Announce: 'Using [skill] to [purpose]'";
"Announce: 'Using [skill] to [purpose]'" -> "Has checklist?";
"Has checklist?" -> "Create manage_todo_list per item" [label="yes"];
"Has checklist?" -> "Follow skill exactly" [label="no"];
"Create manage_todo_list per item" -> "Follow skill exactly";
}
Red Flags
These thoughts mean STOP—you're rationalizing:
| 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 the codebase first" | Skills tell you HOW to explore. Check first. |
| "I can check git/files quickly" | Files lack conversation context. Check for skills. |
| "Let me gather information first" | Skills tell you HOW to gather information. |
| "This doesn't need a formal skill" | If a skill exists, use it. |
| "I remember this skill" | Skills evolve. Read current version. |
| "This doesn't count as a task" | Action = task. Check for skills. |
| "The skill is overkill" | Simple things become complex. Use it. |
| "I'll just do this one thing first" | Check BEFORE doing anything. |
| "This feels productive" | Undisciplined action wastes time. Skills prevent this. |
| "I know what that means" | Knowing the concept ≠ using the skill. Invoke it. |
Skill Priority
When multiple skills could apply, use this order:
- Process skills first (brainstorming, debugging) - these determine HOW to approach the task
- Implementation skills second (frontend-design, mcp-builder) - these guide execution
"Let's build X" → brainstorming first, then implementation skills. "Fix this bug" → debugging first, then domain-specific skills.
Skill Types
Rigid (TDD, debugging): Follow exactly. Don't adapt away discipline.
Flexible (patterns): Adapt principles to context.
The skill itself tells you which.
User Instructions
Instructions say WHAT, not HOW. "Add X" or "Fix Y" doesn't mean skip workflows.