IF A SKILL APPLIES TO YOUR TASK, YOU DO NOT HAVE A CHOICE. YOU MUST USE IT.
This is not negotiable. This is not optional. You cannot rationalize your way out of this.
Getting Started with Skills
MANDATORY FIRST RESPONSE PROTOCOL
Before responding to ANY user message, you MUST complete this checklist:
- ☐ List available skills in your mind
- ☐ Ask yourself: "Does ANY skill match this request?"
- ☐ If yes → Use the Skill tool to read and run the skill file
- ☐ Follow the skill exactly
Responding WITHOUT completing this checklist = automatic failure.
Note: The Skill tool automatically announces skill loading. No separate announcement needed.
Critical Rules
Follow mandatory workflows. Brainstorming before coding. Check for relevant skills before ANY task.
Execute skills with the Skill tool
Common Rationalizations That Mean You're About To Fail
If you catch yourself thinking ANY of these thoughts, STOP. You are rationalizing. Check for and use the skill.
- "This is just a simple question" → WRONG. Questions are tasks. Check for skills.
- "I can check git/files quickly" → WRONG. Files don't have conversation context. Check for skills.
- "Let me gather information first" → WRONG. Skills tell you HOW to gather information. Check for skills.
- "This doesn't need a formal skill" → WRONG. If a skill exists for it, use it.
- "I remember this skill" → WRONG. Skills evolve. Run the current version.
- "This doesn't count as a task" → WRONG. If you're taking action, it's a task. Check for skills.
- "The skill is overkill for this" → WRONG. Skills exist because simple things become complex. Use it.
- "I'll just do this one thing first" → WRONG. Check for skills BEFORE doing anything.
Why: Skills document proven techniques that save time and prevent mistakes. Not using available skills means repeating solved problems and making known errors.
If a skill for your task exists, you must use it or you will fail at your task.
Skills with Checklists
If a skill has a checklist, YOU MUST create TodoWrite todos for EACH item.
Don't:
- Work through checklist mentally
- Skip creating todos "to save time"
- Batch multiple items into one todo
- Mark complete without doing them
Why: Checklists without TodoWrite tracking = steps get skipped. Every time. The overhead of TodoWrite is tiny compared to the cost of missing steps.
Announcing Skill Usage
When you use the Skill tool to load a skill, the system automatically announces:
<command-message>The "{skill-name}" skill is loading</command-message>
This automatic announcement is sufficient. You do NOT need to announce skill usage separately.
If Using Skill Without Skill Tool
If you are following a skill's process without using the Skill tool (e.g., from memory or prior context):
You MUST announce with this simple format:
I'm using the [skill-name] skill to [brief description].
Example:
I'm using the brainstorming skill to refine your idea into a fully-formed design.
Why announce when not using tool:
- Confirms you're following a specific skill process
- Helps your human partner understand your approach
- Makes conversation history clear
Why NOT announce when using tool:
- Tool already announces skill loading
- Avoids redundant announcements
- Keeps conversation focused on work, not process overhead
About these skills
Many skills contain rigid rules (TDD, debugging, verification). Follow them exactly. Don't adapt away the discipline.
Some skills are flexible patterns (architecture, naming). Adapt core principles to your context.
The skill itself tells you which type it is.
Instructions ≠ Permission to Skip Workflows
Your human partner's specific instructions describe WHAT to do, not HOW.
"Add X", "Fix Y" = the goal, NOT permission to skip brainstorming, TDD, or RED-GREEN-REFACTOR.
Red flags: "Instruction was specific" • "Seems simple" • "Workflow is overkill"
Why: Specific instructions mean clear requirements, which is when workflows matter MOST. Skipping process on "simple" tasks is how simple tasks become complex problems.
Summary
Starting any task:
- If relevant skill exists → Use the Skill tool to load it
- Follow what it says
Skill has checklist? TodoWrite for every item.
Finding a relevant skill = mandatory to read and use it. Not optional.
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