Mental Model Selector

Mental Model Selector

When To Use

Use this skill when the user asks for help with:

• a decision
• prioritization
• a tradeoff
• repeated failure
• project focus
• productivity friction
• risk review
• postmortem analysis

Procedure

1. Read data/mental_models_index.json.
2. Select at most three relevant models.
3. Prefer models that change the next action.
4. Ask only the diagnostic questions needed to reduce ambiguity.
5. Produce one concrete output:
   • decision frame
   • next-action plan
   • risk checklist
   • tradeoff table
   • postmortem review
6. State where the model may mislead.

Response Format

Selected models: <model ids>
Why these: <one sentence>
Diagnostic questions: <2-5 questions>
Frame: <concise reasoning>
Next action: <one concrete action>
Failure check: <what would make this lens misleading>

Conflict Handling

When two models point in different directions, surface the conflict directly. Example: parkinsons_law may favor a tight deadline while second_order_thinking may reveal that rushing creates expensive downstream errors.

Pitfalls

• Do not use more than three models by default.
• Do not turn simple requests into theory.
• Do not present mental models as proof.
• Do not copy source prose from public lists.

Verification

A useful response helps the user decide or act differently within the current session.