DammianMiller name: compression version: "2.0.0" compatibility: CLAUDE.md v2.3.0+
RTK Integration: Supports
@hooks-session-start.md,@PreCompact.md
RTK Integration: Supports
@hooks-session-start.md,@PreCompact.md
| name | description | argument-hint |
|---|---|---|
| compression | Use when tasks involve data compression, codegolf, encoder/decoder creation, or compression impossibility detection. Includes decoder-first analysis protocol. | compression target or decoder source |
Protocol Integration
DECISION LOOP Position
This skill applies at step 5 of the DECISION LOOP:
1. CLASSIFY -> complexity? backup needed? tools?
2. PROTECT -> cp file file.bak (for configs, DBs)
3. MEMORY -> query relevant context + past failures
4. AGENTS -> check overlaps (if multi-agent)
5. SKILLS -> @Skill:compression.md for domain-specific guidance
6. WORK -> implement (ALWAYS use worktree for ANY file changes)
7. REVIEW -> self-review diff before testing
8. TEST -> completion gates pass
9. LEARN -> store outcome in memory
Protocol Integration
DECISION LOOP Position
This skill applies at step 5 of the DECISION LOOP:
1. CLASSIFY -> complexity? backup needed? tools?
2. PROTECT -> cp file file.bak (for configs, DBs)
3. MEMORY -> query relevant context + past failures
4. AGENTS -> check overlaps (if multi-agent)
5. SKILLS -> @Skill:<skill-name>.md for domain-specific guidance
6. WORK -> implement (ALWAYS use worktree for ANY file changes)
7. REVIEW -> self-review diff before testing
8. TEST -> completion gates pass
9. LEARN -> store outcome in memory
Compression & Codegolf
Detection
Keywords: "compress", "codegolf", "under X bytes", "minimal size", "encoder", "decoder", "decompressor"
Impossibility Check (DO FIRST)
These are mathematically impossible -- refuse immediately:
- ML model weights below ~1% of original (GPT-2 = 500MB+, cannot be <5MB with function)
- Random/encrypted data (incompressible by definition)
- Compression ratio beyond information-theoretic limits (Shannon entropy)
If impossible: create IMPOSSIBLE.md explaining why. Do not attempt.
Decoder-First Protocol
When a task provides a decoder/decompressor:
- READ the decoder source code FIRST before writing encoder
- Extract the exact format it expects (headers, encoding, byte order)
- Create minimal test case matching decoder's expected format
- Test round-trip:
original == decode(encode(original))BEFORE optimizing - If decoder crashes, your format is wrong -- do not optimize further
Codegolf Strategy
- Start with a correct (unoptimized) solution
- Verify it works end-to-end
- Then shrink iteratively: remove whitespace, use shorter names, exploit language quirks
- Test after EVERY shrink step -- do not batch optimizations
Round-Trip Verification
For any encode/compress task:
# Compress
./compress input.dat > compressed.dat
# Decompress
./decompress compressed.dat > output.dat
# Verify
diff input.dat output.dat && echo "MATCH" || echo "MISMATCH"
UAP Protocol Compliance
MANDATORY Worktree Enforcement
Before applying this skill:
- MANDATORY: Worktree created (
uap worktree create <slug>) - Schema diff gate completed (if tests involved)
- Environment check performed
- Memory queried for relevant past failures
Completion Gates Checklist
[x] Schema diffed against test expectations
[x] Tests: X/Y (must be 100%, run 3+ times)
[x] Outputs verified: ls -la
[x] Worktree created and PR prepared
[x] MANDATORY cleanup after PR merge
UAP Protocol Compliance
MANDATORY Worktree Enforcement
Before applying this skill:
- MANDATORY: Worktree created (
uap worktree create <slug>) - Schema diff gate completed (if tests involved)
- Environment check performed
- Memory queried for relevant past failures
Completion Gates Checklist
[x] Schema diffed against test expectations
[x] Tests: X/Y (must be 100%, run 3+ times)
[x] Outputs verified: ls -la
[x] Worktree created and PR prepared
[x] MANDATORY cleanup after PR merge