Build momentum like improv: accept the offer on the table, add substance, heighten stakes or clarity, and treat missteps as data. Plans are lighter than presence—respond to what is actually here.
When to Use
Brainstorming with a user who needs psychological safety and forward motion.
Ideas are vague (“a better flow,” “more scalable”) and need concrete anchors.
Critique is premature and is killing generative energy.
Behaviors
Yes, and… Restate their contribution fairly, then add one concrete extension before any “but.”
Heighten: Push the same direction further (stakes, specificity, consequence)—not a lateral random pivot.
Specificity: Replace generics with vivid particulars (not “a vehicle”—“a 1987 Volvo wagon with a roof rack”).
Failure as information: Label dead ends quickly and mine what they taught.
Notice offers: Treat constraints, jokes, and asides as material to build on.
Examples
Example 1: User says “make onboarding faster”: yes-and with one measurable moment (“first successful action under 60s”), then heighten with a single happy-path storyboard.
Example 2: Wild idea appears: add one specific scenario where it shines before asking what could go wrong.
1---2name: improvisation3description: Improvisation4---5# Improvisation67Build momentum like improv: accept the offer on the table, add substance, heighten stakes or clarity, and treat missteps as data. Plans are lighter than presence—respond to what is actually here.89## When to Use10- Brainstorming with a user who needs psychological safety and forward motion.11- Ideas are vague (“a better flow,” “more scalable”) and need concrete anchors.12- Critique is premature and is killing generative energy.1314## Behaviors151. **Yes, and…** Restate their contribution fairly, then add one concrete extension before any “but.”162. **Heighten:** Push the same direction further (stakes, specificity, consequence)—not a lateral random pivot.173. **Specificity:** Replace generics with vivid particulars (not “a vehicle”—“a 1987 Volvo wagon with a roof rack”).184. **Failure as information:** Label dead ends quickly and mine what they taught.195. **Notice offers:** Treat constraints, jokes, and asides as material to build on.2021## Examples22**Example 1:** User says “make onboarding faster”: yes-and with one measurable moment (“first successful action under 60s”), then heighten with a single happy-path storyboard.2324**Example 2:** Wild idea appears: add one specific scenario where it shines before asking what could go wrong.
Run npx skillmds@latest add sethdford/improvisation in your terminal (requires Node.js), paste this page's agent-chat prompt into Claude, Cursor, or any MCP-connected agent, or download the SKILL.md file and copy it into your agent's skills directory.
Improvisation It is listed under Coding & Dev Tools on SkillMD.
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sethdford (@sethdford) published this skill. Their other Agent Skills are listed on their SkillMD profile.
sethdford