# Sleight Of Hand

> Sleight of Hand is not about solving a problem — the solution is already known. It is about executing a known change with zero collateral damage. The skill is precision, not creativity.

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

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# Sleight of Hand

Make the tiny exact change that fixes the problem without disturbing the room.

## Overview

Sleight of Hand is interpreted here as a metaphorical skill with a shipping-now execution model.

Canonical source: Sleight of Hand (skill)

Provider target: OpenClaw

## When To Use

- Activate this spell when the user requests a surgical, minimal edit where:
- The exact change is known (before value → after value)
- Only 1–3 specific locations need modification
- The user names the file, line, or exact string to change
- The request emphasizes precision: "just this", "only this one", "don't touch anything else"

## Workflow

1. Isolate: Identify the smallest possible surface area that carries the fix. Confirm the exact match target — file, line, or pattern. If the match is ambiguous (could hit multiple places), stop and ask for clarification. Never guess.
2. Stage: Show the exact change before applying it. Present a before-and-after diff of only the affected lines. Verify that neighboring lines, formatting, and unrelated occurrences are untouched.
3. Deliver: Apply the edit. Return: (a) the minimal diff, (b) a confidence statement confirming what was changed and what was intentionally left alone, (c) a one-line rollback instruction (the inverse edit).

## Deliverables

- A targeted patch, replacement pattern, or edit instruction.
- Proof of what changed and what was intentionally left alone.
- A rollback note in case the tiny move still misfires.

## Guardrails

- Never run global replacements when the match surface is ambiguous.
- If the same string appears multiple times, change only the one the user specified.
- Preserve all surrounding whitespace, formatting, and behavior.
- If you are unsure which occurrence to change, ask — do not pick one silently.
- Do not use for: Rewriting a function or algorithm (needs a rebuild spell)
- Do not use for: Moving a file and updating all imports across the repo (needs a refactor spell)
- Do not use for: Diagnosing why something is broken (needs an investigation spell)
- Do not use for: Formatting, linting, or cosmetic cleanup (needs a prestidigitation spell)
- Do not use for: Building a new script from existing pieces (needs a conjuration spell)
- Do not use for: Recovering deleted files from git history (needs a resurrection spell)

## Default Invocation

Use $sleight-of-hand to make the smallest safe edit here and show me exactly what moved.