# Scope Guard — catch scope creep + draft the boundary reply

> Detects scope creep in client requests and drafts a polite, firm boundary reply with a change-order option.

- Skill: `drnabeelkhan/scope-guard-catch-scope-creep-draft-the-boundary-reply` (Agent Skill)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds add drnabeelkhan/scope-guard-catch-scope-creep-draft-the-boundary-reply`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/drnabeelkhan/scope-guard-catch-scope-creep-draft-the-boundary-reply/raw
- Safety review: PASS (external: skill-scanner PASS, skillspector PASS)
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Productivity
- Tags: Boundary Setting, Change Order, Client Communication, Negotiation, Scope Creep
- Author: DrNabeelKhan (https://skillmd.com/u/drnabeelkhan)
- Updated: 2026-08-22
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/drnabeelkhan/scope-guard-catch-scope-creep-draft-the-boundary-reply

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# Scope Guard

> **Does:** spots scope creep in a client request and drafts a polite, firm boundary reply.
> **Solves:** saying yes to free extra work without noticing.
> **Triggers on:** *"is this in scope"* + the client message · *"draft a boundary reply"*

## How Maxim does this (not a generic "say no" template)

Compares the incoming request against the agreed scope (paste the SOW/proposal, or describe it). Returns a verdict — **in-scope / creep / grey-zone** — with the *specific* clause or expectation the request exceeds, then drafts a reply via `negotiation-specialist` that holds the line **without damaging the relationship** (offers a change-order path, not a flat refusal).

## Behavioral overlay

- **Frameworks (cited per ADR-007):** **Loss Aversion** (frame the change-order as protecting *their* timeline/quality, not your time) · **Anchoring** (re-anchor to the original agreement) · **Commitment & Consistency** (Cialdini — "as we scoped…") · **Boundary-setting** (assertive, non-defensive language).
- **Tone-safe:** the reply is firm + warm by default; it never threatens or guilt-trips.
- **Confidence tag (ADR-010)** on the verdict — 🟡 if the original scope wasn't supplied (it'll ask).

## Output

Verdict (in-scope / creep / grey-zone) · the exact expectation exceeded · a ready-to-send boundary reply with a change-order option.