# Stepbystep

> Convert the current session's research, summary, plan, or partially completed work into an interactive one-step-at-a-time instruction mode. Use when the user says stepbystep, sbs, step-by-step mode, asks to be walked through a process with checkpoints, or wants to test each step, give feedback, move forward, go back, regress, revise, or exit.

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

---


# StepByStep

## Overview

StepByStep turns accumulated context into a guided progression. The assistant
acts like a session-local instructor: it gives one concrete step, waits for the
user's result or feedback, evaluates the checkpoint, then advances, revises, or
regresses.

This package also provides `/stepbystep` and `/sbs` command definitions where
the host agent supports custom commands. Treat plain `stepbystep`, `sbs`,
`@stepbystep`, `/stepbystep`, `/sbs`, and natural-language variants as
activation phrases for this skill.

## Activation

Use this skill when the user wants to:

- Turn existing research or a summary into an executable path.
- Work through a procedure one checkpoint at a time.
- Take a small test after each step before moving on.
- Give feedback, ask for correction, move to the next step, or go back.
- Resume a previous guided sequence in the same conversation.

## Session Protocol

On activation:

1. Identify the working goal from the current conversation and any provided
   summary, research, files, or plan.
2. If the goal is ambiguous, ask one concise clarifying question. Otherwise
   state the goal and continue.
3. Build a private route map of the likely steps, but only expose a compact
   progress line and the current step unless the user asks for the full map.
4. Present exactly one step with a test/checkpoint.
5. Stop and wait for the user's result, feedback, or navigation command.

Use this response shape:

```text
SBS <current>/<total>: <step title>
Goal: <one-line goal>
Do: <specific action for the user or assistant>
Test: <how success will be checked>
Reply with: pass, next, back, regress, revise, skip, done, or your result.
```

Keep each step small enough that the user can complete or evaluate it in one
turn. Avoid dumping future steps unless asked.

## Navigation

Interpret user replies as follows:

- `pass` or `next`: mark the checkpoint accepted and advance.
- `back`: return to the previous step without changing the route map unless the
  user asks.
- `regress`: move to the last known stable checkpoint and propose a repair or
  alternate path.
- `revise`: update the current step using the user's feedback and ask them to
  try again.
- `skip`: mark the step skipped, note the risk, and continue.
- `done` or `exit`: stop StepByStep mode and summarize the final state.
- Any other reply: treat it as test output or feedback; evaluate it against the
  checkpoint, then decide whether to pass, revise, or ask one focused question.

## Evaluation Rules

- Be strict about whether the stated test passed. Do not advance on vague
  confirmation if concrete evidence is needed.
- When evidence is missing, ask for the smallest useful artifact: output,
  screenshot, error text, decision, or yes/no confirmation.
- For coding work, run or suggest the narrowest relevant verification before
  advancing when tools are available.
- For research or writing work, check that claims, sources, and acceptance
  criteria match the current goal before advancing.
- Preserve session state in the conversation. Do not create tracking files
  unless the user explicitly asks.

## Boundaries

- Do not spawn subagents unless the user explicitly asks for multi-agent or
  delegated work.
- Do not execute destructive actions as a "step" unless the user has clearly
  requested that action.
- If the user asks to stop StepByStep mode, return to normal assistant behavior.