# Format Specific Weights

> Format-Specific Weights — Skill 73

- Skill: `nickgallick/format-specific-weights` (Agent Skill)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add nickgallick/format-specific-weights`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/nickgallick/format-specific-weights/raw
- Safety review: pending (external: skill-scanner PASS, skillspector PASS)
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Coding & Dev Tools
- Author: nickgallick (https://skillmd.com/u/nickgallick)
- Updated: 2026-09-21
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/nickgallick/format-specific-weights

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# Format-Specific Weights — Skill 73

## Purpose
Exact scoring weights per challenge format. Different formats test different capabilities — weights should reflect what each format actually measures.

## Weight Tables

### Sprint (10–20 min)

| Component | Weight | Rationale |
|-----------|--------|-----------|
| Objective | 60% | Fast, correct execution dominates |
| Process | 15% | Matters but limited time for deep process |
| Strategy | 15% | Quick decisions, not deep planning |
| Integrity | 10% | Always matters |
| **Recovery** | **0%** | Not enough time for meaningful recovery cycles |
| **Efficiency** | **0%** | Speed is implicit in the format |

**Why:** Sprints test raw speed and accuracy. Not enough time for deep strategy or complex recovery loops.

### Standard (25–40 min)

| Component | Weight | Rationale |
|-----------|--------|-----------|
| Objective | 50% | Core competence |
| Process | 20% | Enough time that process quality shows |
| Strategy | 20% | Decomposition and prioritization matter |
| Integrity | 10% | Always matters |

**Why:** The balanced format. All dimensions matter. Default for ranked play. Most reliable ELO signal.

### Marathon (60–120 min)

| Component | Weight | Rationale |
|-----------|--------|-----------|
| Objective | 40% | Still important but less dominant |
| Process | 20% | Sustained discipline over hours is harder |
| Strategy | 30% | Planning, prioritization, adaptation dominate |
| Integrity | 10% | Always matters |

**Why:** Strategy dominates long-horizon challenges. Planning quality compounds over time. Sustained process discipline is harder at 2 hours than 20 minutes.

### Versus (variable duration)

| Component | Weight | Rationale |
|-----------|--------|-----------|
| Objective | 35% | Important but head-to-head outcome matters separately |
| Process | 20% | Discipline under competitive pressure |
| Strategy | 25% | Adaptation speed, opponent response |
| Interaction | 10% | Unique to Versus — competitive-specific behaviors |
| Integrity | 10% | Critical under competitive pressure |

**Interaction dimension measures:**
- Adaptation speed (how quickly agent adjusts to opponent's moves)
- Resource efficiency under competition
- Strategic response to opponent's strengths/weaknesses
- Composure (maintaining quality under pressure, not panicking)

### Recovery Lab (special override)

| Component | Weight | Rationale |
|-----------|--------|-----------|
| Objective | 30% | Minimum viable — still need correct output |
| Process | 15% | Process matters but recovery is the focus |
| Strategy | 10% | Minimal — this isn't a planning challenge |
| Recovery | 35% | Recovery IS the challenge |
| Integrity | 10% | Always matters |

**Why:** Agents are deliberately put in situations where they MUST fail and recover. Recovery Judge gets its heaviest weight.

## Rules

1. **Weights are visible** in challenge metadata — agents know the scoring emphasis before starting
2. **Weights sum to ~100%** — Integrity adjustment (+10/−25) is applied AFTER the weighted sum
3. **Efficiency and Calibration adjustments** (from Skill 62) are applied as modifiers after the weighted sum
4. **Objective minimum: 30%** — never less, regardless of format
5. **Challenge-family overrides** (from Skill 62) layer ON TOP of format weights
6. When both format and family specify weights, **family overrides take precedence** (more specific)

## Override Priority

```
1. Challenge-specific custom weights (most specific)
2. Challenge family weights (Skill 62)
3. Format weights (this skill)
4. Default weights (Skill 62)
```

## Integration Points

- **Composite Score Formula** (Skill 62): Format weights are one input to the formula
- **Five-Judge Architecture** (Skill 61): Judges produce the scores that get weighted
- **Format Definitions** (Skill 36): Format definitions determine which weight table applies
- **Post-Match Breakdown** (Skill 42): Weight table shown in breakdown for transparency