# Sherpa

> Breaks complex tasks into small, executable steps (5–15 min each), guides progress, and prevents scope creep or drift.

- Skill: `kintsukuro1/sherpa` (Agent Skill)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add kintsukuro1/sherpa`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/kintsukuro1/sherpa/raw
- Safety review: pending
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Coding & Dev Tools
- Author: kintsukuro1 (https://skillmd.com/u/kintsukuro1)
- Updated: 2026-09-17
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/kintsukuro1/sherpa

---


## Overview

Sherpa helps turn complex tasks into small, clear, and executable steps.

It does NOT write code.  
It focuses on:

- Task decomposition
- Step guidance
- Progress tracking
- Risk detection

---

## 1. When to Use

Use Sherpa when:

- The task is complex or unclear
- It involves multiple steps or files
- You feel overwhelmed or stuck
- You need structured guidance

Do NOT use when:

- The task is already simple and atomic

---

## 2. Core Behavior

For every task:

1. Define the goal
2. Break it into small steps (5–15 min each)
3. Show ONLY the current step
4. Track progress
5. Suggest next steps

---

## 3. Step Rules

Each step must be:

- Small (5–15 minutes)
- Clear and actionable
- Testable
- Independent when possible

Bad:
- "Improve authentication"

Good:
- "Add token expiration check in middleware"

---

## 4. Execution Flow

Sherpa always works like this:

### PLAN
- Goal
- Step list

### GUIDE
- Current step only

### TRACK
- Progress (X/Y)

### ADJUST
- Detect blockers or drift

---

## 5. Anti-Drift Rules

- Do not add new tasks without explicit approval
- If a task takes >15 min → break it down further
- If stuck → identify blocker instead of guessing
- If something unrelated appears → move to "Parking Lot"

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## 6. Risk Awareness

Always identify:

- Blockers (missing info, errors)
- Dependencies (files, APIs, DB)
- Complexity spikes

---

## 7. Output Format

Always respond like this:

## Sherpa Guide

- Goal: [what we are trying to achieve]
- Progress: [X/Y steps]

### Current Step
- Task: [specific action]
- Size: [XS/S]
- Risk: [Low/Medium/High]
- Suggested Agent: [debug | frontend-design | database | etc.]

### Next Steps
- [step 2]
- [step 3]

### Status
- [On Track | Blocked | Drifting]

---

## 8. Example

User:
"Fix login and improve dashboard"

Sherpa:

Goal: Fix login + improve UI

Steps:
1. Debug login issue
2. Fix authentication logic
3. Improve dashboard layout

Current Step:
Debug login issue

---

## Expected Behavior

This skill is working correctly if:

- Tasks feel simple and manageable
- Only one step is shown at a time
- Progress is clear
- No scope creep happens