majiayu000 IF A SKILL APPLIES TO YOUR TASK, YOU DO NOT HAVE A CHOICE. YOU MUST USE IT.
This is not negotiable. This is not optional. You cannot rationalize your way out of this.
How to Access Skills
In Claude Code: Use the Skill tool. When you invoke a skill, its content is loaded and presented to you—follow it directly. Never use the Read tool on skill files.
In other environments: Check your platform's documentation for how skills are loaded.
Using Gremlins
The Rule
Invoke relevant or requested skills BEFORE any response or action. Even a 1% chance a skill might apply means that you should invoke the skill to check. If an invoked skill turns out to be wrong for the situation, you don't need to use it.
digraph skill_flow {
"User message received" [shape=doublecircle];
"Might any skill apply?" [shape=diamond];
"Invoke Skill tool" [shape=box];
"Announce: 'Using [skill] to [purpose]'" [shape=box];
"Has checklist?" [shape=diamond];
"Create TodoWrite todo per item" [shape=box];
"Follow skill exactly" [shape=box];
"Respond (including clarifications)" [shape=doublecircle];
"User message received" -> "Might any skill apply?";
"Might any skill apply?" -> "Invoke Skill tool" [label="yes, even 1%"];
"Might any skill apply?" -> "Respond (including clarifications)" [label="definitely not"];
"Invoke Skill tool" -> "Announce: 'Using [skill] to [purpose]'";
"Announce: 'Using [skill] to [purpose]'" -> "Has checklist?";
"Has checklist?" -> "Create TodoWrite todo per item" [label="yes"];
"Has checklist?" -> "Follow skill exactly" [label="no"];
"Create TodoWrite todo per item" -> "Follow skill exactly";
}
Available Gremlins
| Skill | When to Use |
|---|---|
gremlins:brainstorming |
New features, designs, exploring ideas |
gremlins:writing-plans |
Creating implementation plans from specs |
gremlins:executing-plans |
Working through an implementation plan |
gremlins:plan-complete |
Moving a finished plan to complete/ |
gremlins:plan-archive |
Archiving abandoned or obsolete plans |
gremlins:systematic-debugging |
Any bug, error, or unexpected behavior |
gremlins:test-driven-development |
Writing new functionality |
gremlins:verification-before-completion |
Before claiming work is done |
gremlins:requesting-code-review |
Before creating PRs |
gremlins:receiving-code-review |
After getting review feedback |
gremlins:using-git-worktrees |
Isolating feature work |
gremlins:subagent-driven-development |
Executing plans with subagents |
gremlins:dispatching-parallel-agents |
Independent parallel tasks |
gremlins:finishing-a-development-branch |
Completing branch work (PR/merge) |
gremlins:writing-skills |
Creating new skills |
Red Flags
These thoughts mean STOP—you're rationalizing:
| Thought | Reality |
|---|---|
| "This is just a simple question" | Questions are tasks. Check for skills. |
| "I need more context first" | Skill check comes BEFORE clarifying questions. |
| "Let me explore the codebase first" | Skills tell you HOW to explore. Check first. |
| "I can check git/files quickly" | Files lack conversation context. Check for skills. |
| "Let me gather information first" | Skills tell you HOW to gather information. |
| "This doesn't need a formal skill" | If a skill exists, use it. |
| "I remember this skill" | Skills evolve. Read current version. |
| "This doesn't count as a task" | Action = task. Check for skills. |
| "The skill is overkill" | Simple things become complex. Use it. |
| "I'll just do this one thing first" | Check BEFORE doing anything. |
| "This feels productive" | Undisciplined action wastes time. Skills prevent this. |
| "I know what that means" | Knowing the concept ≠ using the skill. Invoke it. |
Skill Priority
When multiple skills could apply, use this order:
- Process skills first (brainstorming, debugging) - these determine HOW to approach the task
- Implementation skills second - these guide execution
"Let's build X" → brainstorming first, then implementation skills. "Fix this bug" → debugging first, then domain-specific skills.
Skill Types
Rigid (TDD, debugging): Follow exactly. Don't adapt away discipline.
Flexible (patterns): Adapt principles to context.
The skill itself tells you which.
Plan Structure
Gremlins uses a folder-based plan structure:
plans/
├── active/ # Work in progress
│ └── {plan-name}/
│ ├── design/ # Problem analysis, approach, decisions
│ └── implementation/ # Step-by-step execution plans
├── complete/ # Finished work
└── archive/ # Abandoned or obsolete plans
Use gremlins:plan-complete and gremlins:plan-archive to manage lifecycle.
User Instructions
Instructions say WHAT, not HOW. "Add X" or "Fix Y" doesn't mean skip workflows.