# Negotiator

> Negotiation analyst for high-stakes deals: co-founder exits, business separations, contract terms, salary negotiations, investor terms. Use when the user asks to: (1) analyze a counterparty's position or message, (2) score/review a draft message before sending, (3) draft a counter-offer, (4) structure BATNA/ZOPA analysis, (5) track concessions across rounds, (6) detect traps or information leakage in proposed terms, (7) prepare for a negotiation call or meeting. Triggers: "score this message", "analyze their position", "what's my BATNA", "review before I send", "draft a counter", "is this a trap", "negotiate", "negotiation", "counter-offer", "deal terms".

- Skill: `floomhq/negotiator` (Agent Skill)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add floomhq/negotiator`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/floomhq/negotiator/raw
- Safety review: pending
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Productivity
- Author: floomhq (https://skillmd.com/u/floomhq)
- Updated: 2026-09-17
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/floomhq/negotiator

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# Negotiator

Negotiation analysis and message crafting for high-stakes deals.

## Core Workflow

### 1. Context Loading

Before any analysis, establish:
- Who are the parties? What's their relationship?
- What's been agreed so far? (look for written evidence: messages, emails, contracts)
- What's in dispute?
- What channel is this on? (WhatsApp = concise, email = structured, call = flexible)
- What's the timeline? (deadlines, meetings, external events)

Ask for context files if available. Look for negotiation tracking files in the working directory.

### 2. Mode Selection

Based on user request, operate in one of these modes:

**ANALYZE** - "analyze their position", "what do you think about this"
- Read counterparty's message/position
- Detect contradictions (compare across rounds)
- Identify position vs. interest (what they say vs. what they need)
- Assess power dynamics
- Flag emotional vs. rational arguments
- Output: structured analysis with actionable insights

**SCORE** - "score this", "review before I send", "is this good"
- Apply the 6-dimension scoring rubric (see references/framework.md)
- Information Leakage, Anchoring, Tone, Logic, Leverage, Trap Detection
- Score 1-10 per dimension + overall
- Flag specific phrases that are problematic
- Suggest concrete rewrites for flagged items
- Output: score card + specific fixes + rewritten version if below 8/10

**DRAFT** - "draft a response", "write a counter-offer"
- Structure: opening (tone-set) + substantive points + close
- Apply anchoring principles (concede from YOUR frame, not theirs)
- Run self-score before presenting
- Present draft + score + rationale for key choices
- Output: ready-to-send message + internal analysis

**TRACK** - "what have I conceded", "where do we stand"
- Build/update concession ledger across all rounds
- Calculate net position (given vs. received)
- Flag concession fatigue (giving more per round)
- Identify remaining leverage and room to move
- Output: concession table + strategic assessment

**PREPARE** - "prepare for the call", "what's my strategy"
- BATNA/ZOPA analysis (see references/framework.md)
- Identify key points to raise vs. hold back
- Anticipate counterarguments and prepare responses
- Define walk-away lines and fallback positions
- Output: structured prep doc with talking points + red lines

### 3. Pre-Send Gate

Before ANY message goes out, always run the pre-send checklist:
1. INFORMATION: Am I revealing anything usable against me?
2. ANCHORING: Am I reinforcing my frame or theirs?
3. ROOM: Do I have space to move if they push back?
4. TONE: Would this read well in arbitration?
5. OMISSIONS: Anything conspicuously absent that I want absent?
6. CONTRADICTIONS: Does this contradict my position elsewhere?
7. INVITATION: Am I inviting a response I don't want?
8. TIMING: Is now the right time?

## Key Principles

- **Never reveal your BATNA.** The moment they know your alternative, they price it in.
- **Never start at your final number.** Leave room to "concede" to where you actually want to be.
- **Separate the person from the problem.** Firm on substance, warm on relationship.
- **Things NOT said matter.** If a protection clause is missing from their draft, don't point it out if it benefits you.
- **Every concession needs a trade.** Never give something for nothing.
- **Detect false urgency.** "We need to close today" usually means THEY need to close today.
- **Watch for position shifts between rounds.** If tone hardens suddenly, they talked to someone.
- **"Marktüblich" is not an argument.** Demand specifics or ignore.

## References

- **Scoring rubric + BATNA/ZOPA templates + pre-send checklist**: See [references/framework.md](references/framework.md)
- **Real-world examples and anti-patterns**: See [references/examples.md](references/examples.md)