# Nav Descend

> Attempt exactly ONE controlled descent forward into an adjacent lower cell. Covers stepping down slopes, edges, and shallow drops (≤ 1 block).

- Skill: `bdambrosio/nav-descend` (Agent Skill, multi-file: 3 files)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add bdambrosio/nav-descend`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/bdambrosio/nav-descend/raw
- Safety review: pending
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Coding & Dev Tools
- Author: bdambrosio (https://skillmd.com/u/bdambrosio)
- Updated: 2026-09-17
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/bdambrosio/nav-descend

---


# nav-descend

Attempt exactly ONE controlled descent forward into an adjacent lower cell. Covers stepping down slopes, edges, and shallow drops (≤ 1 block).

## Input

- `step_duration`: Float seconds for the move (default: `0.25`)
- `max_drop`: Float maximum allowed drop in Y (default: `1.2`)
- `min_drop`: Float minimum Y decrease to count as descend (default: `0.2`)

## Output

Success (`status: "success"`):
- `value`: Summary text
- `extra.from`: Starting position `{x, y, z}`
- `extra.to`: Ending position `{x, y, z}`
- `extra.delta_y`: Vertical displacement (negative, within bounds)
- `extra.support_here`: Support type at destination

Failure (`status: "failed"`):
- `reason`: One of `"status_failed"`, `"move_failed"`, `"collision"`, `"observation_failed"`, `"support_ambiguous"`, `"no_descent"`, `"excessive_drop"`

## Invariants

- Automatically aligns agent to block center and cardinal yaw before descent attempt
- Exactly one descent attempt per call (always forward, relative to current yaw)
- Descent must be within bounds: `min_drop` ≤ `|delta_y|` ≤ `max_drop`
- Landing support must be walkable ("solid" or "unsafe")
- Snaps to block center after any position change
- Updates `world_state("nav")` history

## Alignment

Before descent attempt, agent is automatically aligned:
- Position: Block center (x+0.5, y, z+0.5) - eliminates fractional offsets
- Yaw: Nearest cardinal (0°=South, 90°=West, 180°=North, 270°=East)
- Pitch: 0°

This prevents collisions from fractional offsets and ensures predictable forward direction.

## Planning Notes

- Does not handle multi-block drops; compose multiple calls for that
- Use `nav-turn` before descending to change direction (yaw determines forward direction)
- Alignment to block center and cardinal yaw happens automatically (no manual alignment needed)
- Falls within bounds are treated as controlled descent (success if landing is safe)

## Example Workflow

```json
{"type":"nav-turn","direction":"left","out":"$t"}
{"type":"nav-descend","out":"$d1"}
{"type":"nav-descend","out":"$d2"}
```