# Using Agent Skills

> Discover and apply the right Agent Skills for the current task. Use at the start of a session or whenever you need to decide which skill(s) apply to the work at hand. This is the meta-skill that helps route work to specialized skills.

- Skill: `itsual/using-agent-skills` (Agent Skill)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add itsual/using-agent-skills`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/itsual/using-agent-skills/raw
- Safety review: pending
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: AI & ML
- Author: itsual (https://skillmd.com/u/itsual)
- Updated: 2026-09-21
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/itsual/using-agent-skills

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# Using Agent Skills

## Overview

Agent Skills are modular expertise packages. This meta-skill helps you select and sequence the right ones.

## When to Use

- Beginning a new task or session
- When unsure which specialized skill applies
- When multiple skills might be relevant

## Discovery Process

1. Identify the primary domain and phase of work (planning, implementation, review, debugging, shipping, etc.).
2. Match against available skills by reading their descriptions.
3. Prefer the most specific applicable skill.
4. Sequence skills when needed (e.g., spec → plan → implement → review).

## Recommended Sequencing for Features

Typical high-quality flow:

1. Spec-driven development (clarify what to build)
2. Planning and task breakdown
3. Incremental implementation + Test-driven development
4. Code review and quality
5. Security and hardening (when relevant)
6. Git workflow

Not every task needs every step. Use judgment.

## Core Operating Behaviors (Always On)

These apply across all skills:

- Surface assumptions explicitly before major work
- Manage confusion actively — stop and clarify rather than guess
- Push back on approaches with clear problems
- Prefer simplicity; resist over-engineering
- Stay within scope; avoid unsolicited refactors
- Verify with evidence, not just “looks good”

## Verification

Before starting significant work, confirm you have selected the appropriate skill(s) and understand the expected process and definition of done.