When to Use
User wants app recommendations, comparisons, or help organizing their apps. Covers iOS and Android. Tracks preferences and past recommendations for personalized suggestions.
Architecture
Memory lives in ~/apps/. See memory-template.md for setup.
~/apps/
├── memory.md # Preferences, platforms, dislikes
├── favorites.md # Apps user loves, organized by category
├── tried.md # Apps tested with notes (liked/disliked/why)
└── wishlist.md # Apps to try later
Quick Reference
| Topic |
File |
| Memory setup |
memory-template.md |
| Category guide |
categories.md |
| Comparison framework |
compare.md |
Data Storage
All data stored in ~/apps/. Create on first use:
mkdir -p ~/apps
Scope
This skill ONLY:
- Recommends apps based on user criteria
- Stores user preferences in local files (
~/apps/)
- Tracks apps user has tried or wants to try
- Compares apps within categories
This skill NEVER:
- Installs apps automatically
- Accesses App Store/Play Store accounts
- Makes purchases or subscriptions
- Reads installed apps from device
Core Rules
1. Check Preferences First
Before recommending, read ~/apps/memory.md:
- Platform (iOS, Android, both)
- Pricing preference (free, freemium, paid OK, no subscriptions)
- Past dislikes (apps/patterns to avoid)
2. Recommendation Quality
| Criteria |
Action |
| User asks "best X app" |
Give top 3 with tradeoffs |
| User has tried similar |
Check ~/apps/tried.md, avoid repeats |
| User dislikes subscriptions |
Filter out subscription-only |
| Specific need stated |
Match to need, not popularity |
3. Always Explain Tradeoffs
Never just say "use X". Include:
- What it's great at
- What it's weak at
- Pricing model (one-time, subscription, freemium limits)
- Privacy stance if relevant
4. Update Memory Proactively
| Event |
Action |
| User says "I use iPhone" |
Add to ~/apps/memory.md |
| User says "I hate subscriptions" |
Add to ~/apps/memory.md dislikes |
| User likes recommendation |
Add to ~/apps/favorites.md |
| User tries and dislikes |
Add to ~/apps/tried.md with reason |
| User says "remind me to try X" |
Add to ~/apps/wishlist.md |
5. Category Organization
Organize favorites by category:
- Productivity, Notes, Tasks
- Health, Fitness, Meditation
- Finance, Budgeting
- Photo, Video, Creative
- Social, Communication
- Games, Entertainment
- Utilities, Tools
See categories.md for full taxonomy.
6. Comparison Framework
When user asks to compare apps:
- Same category only (don't compare notes app vs game)
- Use consistent criteria from
compare.md
- Declare winner for specific use cases, not overall
- Acknowledge "it depends" when true
7. Source Honesty
- Admit when info might be outdated
- Recommend checking current reviews for pricing/features
- Don't invent features — if unsure, say so
Common Traps
- Recommending most popular instead of best fit → match to user's stated needs
- Forgetting user said "no subscriptions" → always check ~/apps/memory.md
- Recommending apps user already tried and disliked → check ~/apps/tried.md
- Overwhelming with options → max 3 recommendations unless asked for more
- Ignoring platform → always confirm iOS/Android before recommending
1---2name: apps3description: Find, compare, and organize mobile apps with personalized recommendations and preference tracking.4---56## When to Use78User wants app recommendations, comparisons, or help organizing their apps. Covers iOS and Android. Tracks preferences and past recommendations for personalized suggestions.910## Architecture1112Memory lives in `~/apps/`. See `memory-template.md` for setup.1314```15~/apps/16├── memory.md # Preferences, platforms, dislikes17├── favorites.md # Apps user loves, organized by category18├── tried.md # Apps tested with notes (liked/disliked/why)19└── wishlist.md # Apps to try later20```2122## Quick Reference2324| Topic | File |25|-------|------|26| Memory setup | `memory-template.md` |27| Category guide | `categories.md` |28| Comparison framework | `compare.md` |2930## Data Storage3132All data stored in `~/apps/`. Create on first use:33```bash34mkdir -p ~/apps35```3637## Scope3839This skill ONLY:40- Recommends apps based on user criteria41- Stores user preferences in local files (`~/apps/`)42- Tracks apps user has tried or wants to try43- Compares apps within categories4445This skill NEVER:46- Installs apps automatically47- Accesses App Store/Play Store accounts48- Makes purchases or subscriptions49- Reads installed apps from device5051## Core Rules5253### 1. Check Preferences First54Before recommending, read `~/apps/memory.md`:55- Platform (iOS, Android, both)56- Pricing preference (free, freemium, paid OK, no subscriptions)57- Past dislikes (apps/patterns to avoid)5859### 2. Recommendation Quality60| Criteria | Action |61|----------|--------|62| User asks "best X app" | Give top 3 with tradeoffs |63| User has tried similar | Check ~/apps/tried.md, avoid repeats |64| User dislikes subscriptions | Filter out subscription-only |65| Specific need stated | Match to need, not popularity |6667### 3. Always Explain Tradeoffs68Never just say "use X". Include:69- What it's great at70- What it's weak at 71- Pricing model (one-time, subscription, freemium limits)72- Privacy stance if relevant7374### 4. Update Memory Proactively75| Event | Action |76|-------|--------|77| User says "I use iPhone" | Add to ~/apps/memory.md |78| User says "I hate subscriptions" | Add to ~/apps/memory.md dislikes |79| User likes recommendation | Add to ~/apps/favorites.md |80| User tries and dislikes | Add to ~/apps/tried.md with reason |81| User says "remind me to try X" | Add to ~/apps/wishlist.md |8283### 5. Category Organization84Organize favorites by category:85- Productivity, Notes, Tasks86- Health, Fitness, Meditation87- Finance, Budgeting88- Photo, Video, Creative89- Social, Communication90- Games, Entertainment91- Utilities, Tools9293See `categories.md` for full taxonomy.9495### 6. Comparison Framework96When user asks to compare apps:971. Same category only (don't compare notes app vs game)982. Use consistent criteria from `compare.md`993. Declare winner for specific use cases, not overall1004. Acknowledge "it depends" when true101102### 7. Source Honesty103- Admit when info might be outdated104- Recommend checking current reviews for pricing/features105- Don't invent features — if unsure, say so106107## Common Traps108109- Recommending most popular instead of best fit → match to user's stated needs110- Forgetting user said "no subscriptions" → always check ~/apps/memory.md111- Recommending apps user already tried and disliked → check ~/apps/tried.md112- Overwhelming with options → max 3 recommendations unless asked for more113- Ignoring platform → always confirm iOS/Android before recommending
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