When to Use
User wants app recommendations, comparisons, or help organizing their apps. Covers iOS and Android. Tracks preferences and past recommendations for personalized suggestions.
Architecture
Memory lives in ~/apps/. See memory-template.md for setup.
~/apps/
├── memory.md # Preferences, platforms, dislikes
├── favorites.md # Apps user loves, organized by category
├── tried.md # Apps tested with notes (liked/disliked/why)
└── wishlist.md # Apps to try later
Quick Reference
| Topic |
File |
| Memory setup |
memory-template.md |
| Category guide |
categories.md |
| Comparison framework |
compare.md |
Data Storage
All data stored in ~/apps/. Create on first use:
mkdir -p ~/apps
Scope
This skill ONLY:
- Recommends apps based on user criteria
- Stores user preferences in local files (
~/apps/)
- Tracks apps user has tried or wants to try
- Compares apps within categories
This skill NEVER:
- Installs apps automatically
- Accesses App Store/Play Store accounts
- Makes purchases or subscriptions
- Reads installed apps from device
Core Rules
1. Check Preferences First
Before recommending, read ~/apps/memory.md:
- Platform (iOS, Android, both)
- Pricing preference (free, freemium, paid OK, no subscriptions)
- Past dislikes (apps/patterns to avoid)
2. Recommendation Quality
| Criteria |
Action |
| User asks "best X app" |
Give top 3 with tradeoffs |
| User has tried similar |
Check ~/apps/tried.md, avoid repeats |
| User dislikes subscriptions |
Filter out subscription-only |
| Specific need stated |
Match to need, not popularity |
3. Always Explain Tradeoffs
Never just say "use X". Include:
- What it's great at
- What it's weak at
- Pricing model (one-time, subscription, freemium limits)
- Privacy stance if relevant
4. Update Memory Proactively
| Event |
Action |
| User says "I use iPhone" |
Add to ~/apps/memory.md |
| User says "I hate subscriptions" |
Add to ~/apps/memory.md dislikes |
| User likes recommendation |
Add to ~/apps/favorites.md |
| User tries and dislikes |
Add to ~/apps/tried.md with reason |
| User says "remind me to try X" |
Add to ~/apps/wishlist.md |
5. Category Organization
Organize favorites by category:
- Productivity, Notes, Tasks
- Health, Fitness, Meditation
- Finance, Budgeting
- Photo, Video, Creative
- Social, Communication
- Games, Entertainment
- Utilities, Tools
See categories.md for full taxonomy.
6. Comparison Framework
When user asks to compare apps:
- Same category only (don't compare notes app vs game)
- Use consistent criteria from
compare.md
- Declare winner for specific use cases, not overall
- Acknowledge "it depends" when true
7. Source Honesty
- Admit when info might be outdated
- Recommend checking current reviews for pricing/features
- Don't invent features — if unsure, say so
Common Traps
- Recommending most popular instead of best fit → match to user's stated needs
- Forgetting user said "no subscriptions" → always check ~/apps/memory.md
- Recommending apps user already tried and disliked → check ~/apps/tried.md
- Overwhelming with options → max 3 recommendations unless asked for more
- Ignoring platform → always confirm iOS/Android before recommending
1---2name: apps3description: Find, compare, and organize mobile apps with personalized recommendations and preference tracking.4---5
6## When to Use
7
8User wants app recommendations, comparisons, or help organizing their apps. Covers iOS and Android. Tracks preferences and past recommendations for personalized suggestions.
9
10## Architecture
11
12Memory lives in `~/apps/`. See `memory-template.md` for setup.
13
14```
15~/apps/
16├── memory.md # Preferences, platforms, dislikes
17├── favorites.md # Apps user loves, organized by category
18├── tried.md # Apps tested with notes (liked/disliked/why)
19└── wishlist.md # Apps to try later
20```
21
22## Quick Reference
23
24| Topic | File |
25|-------|------|
26| Memory setup | `memory-template.md` |
27| Category guide | `categories.md` |
28| Comparison framework | `compare.md` |
29
30## Data Storage
31
32All data stored in `~/apps/`. Create on first use:
33```bash
34mkdir -p ~/apps
35```
36
37## Scope
38
39This skill ONLY:
40- Recommends apps based on user criteria
41- Stores user preferences in local files (`~/apps/`)
42- Tracks apps user has tried or wants to try
43- Compares apps within categories
44
45This skill NEVER:
46- Installs apps automatically
47- Accesses App Store/Play Store accounts
48- Makes purchases or subscriptions
49- Reads installed apps from device
50
51## Core Rules
52
53### 1. Check Preferences First
54Before recommending, read `~/apps/memory.md`:
55- Platform (iOS, Android, both)
56- Pricing preference (free, freemium, paid OK, no subscriptions)
57- Past dislikes (apps/patterns to avoid)
58
59### 2. Recommendation Quality
60| Criteria | Action |
61|----------|--------|
62| User asks "best X app" | Give top 3 with tradeoffs |
63| User has tried similar | Check ~/apps/tried.md, avoid repeats |
64| User dislikes subscriptions | Filter out subscription-only |
65| Specific need stated | Match to need, not popularity |
66
67### 3. Always Explain Tradeoffs
68Never just say "use X". Include:
69- What it's great at
70- What it's weak at
71- Pricing model (one-time, subscription, freemium limits)
72- Privacy stance if relevant
73
74### 4. Update Memory Proactively
75| Event | Action |
76|-------|--------|
77| User says "I use iPhone" | Add to ~/apps/memory.md |
78| User says "I hate subscriptions" | Add to ~/apps/memory.md dislikes |
79| User likes recommendation | Add to ~/apps/favorites.md |
80| User tries and dislikes | Add to ~/apps/tried.md with reason |
81| User says "remind me to try X" | Add to ~/apps/wishlist.md |
82
83### 5. Category Organization
84Organize favorites by category:
85- Productivity, Notes, Tasks
86- Health, Fitness, Meditation
87- Finance, Budgeting
88- Photo, Video, Creative
89- Social, Communication
90- Games, Entertainment
91- Utilities, Tools
92
93See `categories.md` for full taxonomy.
94
95### 6. Comparison Framework
96When user asks to compare apps:
971. Same category only (don't compare notes app vs game)
982. Use consistent criteria from `compare.md`
993. Declare winner for specific use cases, not overall
1004. Acknowledge "it depends" when true
101
102### 7. Source Honesty
103- Admit when info might be outdated
104- Recommend checking current reviews for pricing/features
105- Don't invent features — if unsure, say so
106
107## Common Traps
108
109- Recommending most popular instead of best fit → match to user's stated needs
110- Forgetting user said "no subscriptions" → always check ~/apps/memory.md
111- Recommending apps user already tried and disliked → check ~/apps/tried.md
112- Overwhelming with options → max 3 recommendations unless asked for more
113- Ignoring platform → always confirm iOS/Android before recommending
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