Writing Skills
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Use when creating new skills, editing existing skills, or verifying skills work before deployment
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Frontmatter — 2 properties
| name | writing-skills |
|---|---|
| description | Use when creating new skills, editing existing skills, or verifying skills work before deployment |
| 1 | --- |
| 2 | name: writing-skills |
| 3 | description: Use when creating new skills, editing existing skills, or verifying skills work before deployment |
| 4 | ---A5 — No allowed-tools declared — no way to tell what this skill may touch |
| 5 | |
| 6 | # Writing Skills |
| 7 | |
| 8 | ## Overview |
| 9 | |
| 10 | **Writing skills IS Test-Driven Development applied to process documentation.** |
| 11 | |
| 12 | **Personal skills live in your runtime's skills directory** (`~/.claude/skills/` on Claude Code) — see [codex-tools.md](../using-superpowers/references/codex-tools.md) or [gemini-tools.md](../using-superpowers/references/gemini-tools.md) for the path on those runtimes. Codex, Copilot CLI, and Gemini CLI all also recognize `~/.agents/skills/` as a cross-runtime alias. |
| 13 | |
| 14 | You write test cases (pressure scenarios with subagents), watch them fail (baseline behavior), write the skill (documentation), watch tests pass (agents comply), and refactor (close loopholes). |
| 15 | |
| 16 | **Core principle:** If you didn't watch an agent fail without the skill, you don't know if the skill teaches the right thing. |
| 17 | |
| 18 | **REQUIRED BACKGROUND:** You MUST understand superpowers:test-driven-development before using this skill. That skill defines the fundamental RED-GREEN-REFACTOR cycle. This skill adapts TDD to documentation. |
| 19 | |
| 20 | **Official guidance:** For Anthropic's official skill authoring best practices, see anthropic-best-practices.md. This document provides additional patterns and guidelines that complement the TDD-focused approach in this skill. |
| 21 | |
| 22 | ## What is a Skill? |
| 23 | |
| 24 | A **skill** is a reference guide for proven techniques, patterns, or tools. Skills help future agents find and apply effective approaches. |
| 25 | |
| 26 | **Skills are:** Reusable techniques, patterns, tools, reference guides |
| 27 | |
| 28 | **Skills are NOT:** Narratives about how you solved a problem once |
| 29 | |
| 30 | ## TDD Mapping for Skills |
| 31 | |
| 32 | | TDD Concept | Skill Creation | |
| 33 | |-------------|----------------| |
| 34 | | **Test case** | Pressure scenario with subagent | |
| 35 | | **Production code** | Skill document (SKILL.md) | |
| 36 | | **Test fails (RED)** | Agent violates rule without skill (baseline) | |
| 37 | | **Test passes (GREEN)** | Agent complies with skill present | |
| 38 | | **Refactor** | Close loopholes while maintaining compliance | |
| 39 | | **Write test first** | Run baseline scenario BEFORE writing skill | |
| 40 | | **Watch it fail** | Document exact rationalizations agent uses | |
| 41 | | **Minimal code** | Write skill addressing those specific violations | |
| 42 | | **Watch it pass** | Verify agent now complies | |
| 43 | | **Refactor cycle** | Find new rationalizations → plug → re-verify | |
| 44 | |
| 45 | The entire skill creation process follows RED-GREEN-REFACTOR. |
| 46 | |
| 47 | ## When to Create a Skill |
| 48 | |
| 49 | **Create when:** |
| 50 | - Technique wasn't intuitively obvious to you |
| 51 | - You'd reference this again across projects |
| 52 | - Pattern applies broadly (not project-specific) |
| 53 | - Others would benefit |
| 54 | |
| 55 | **Don't create for:** |
| 56 | - One-off solutions |
| 57 | - Standard practices well-documented elsewhere |
| 58 | - Project-specific conventions (put in your instructions file) |
| 59 | - Mechanical constraints (if it's enforceable with regex/validation, automate it—save documentation for judgment calls) |
| 60 | |
| 61 | ## Skill Types |
| 62 | |
| 63 | ### Technique |
| 64 | Concrete method with steps to follow (condition-based-waiting, root-cause-tracing) |
| 65 | |
| 66 | ### Pattern |
| 67 | Way of thinking about problems (flatten-with-flags, test-invariants) |
| 68 | |
| 69 | ### Reference |
| 70 | API docs, syntax guides, tool documentation (office docs) |
| 71 | |
| 72 | ## Directory Structure |
| 73 | |
| 74 | |
| 75 | ``` |
| 76 | skills/ |
| 77 | skill-name/ |
| 78 | SKILL.md # Main reference (required) |
| 79 | supporting-file.* # Only if needed |
| 80 | ``` |
| 81 | |
| 82 | **Flat namespace** - all skills in one searchable namespace |
| 83 | |
| 84 | **Separate files for:** |
| 85 | 1. **Heavy reference** (100+ lines) - API docs, comprehensive syntax |
| 86 | 2. **Reusable tools** - Scripts, utilities, templates |
| 87 | |
| 88 | **Keep inline:** |
| 89 | - Principles and concepts |
| 90 | - Code patterns (< 50 lines) |
| 91 | - Everything else |
| 92 | |
| 93 | ## SKILL.md Structure |
| 94 | |
| 95 | **Frontmatter (YAML):** |
| 96 | - Two required fields: `name` and `description` (see [agentskills.io/specification](https://agentskills.io/specification) for all supported fields) |
| 97 | - Max 1024 characters total |
| 98 | - `name`: Use letters, numbers, and hyphens only (no parentheses, special chars) |
| 99 | - `description`: Third-person, describes ONLY when to use (NOT what it does) |
| 100 | - Start with "Use when..." to focus on triggering conditions |
| 101 | - Include specific symptoms, situations, and contexts |
| 102 | - **NEVER summarize the skill's process or workflow** (see SDO section for why) |
| 103 | - Keep under 500 characters if possible |
| 104 | |
| 105 | ```markdown |
| 106 | --- |
| 107 | name: Skill-Name-With-Hyphens |
| 108 | description: Use when [specific triggering conditions and symptoms] |
| 109 | --- |
| 110 | |
| 111 | # Skill Name |
| 112 | |
| 113 | ## Overview |
| 114 | What is this? Core principle in 1-2 sentences. |
| 115 | |
| 116 | ## When to Use |
| 117 | [Small inline flowchart IF decision non-obvious] |
| 118 | |
| 119 | Bullet list with SYMPTOMS and use cases |
| 120 | When NOT to use |
| 121 | |
| 122 | ## Core Pattern (for techniques/patterns) |
| 123 | Before/after code comparison |
| 124 | |
| 125 | ## Quick Reference |
| 126 | Table or bullets for scanning common operations |
| 127 | |
| 128 | ## Implementation |
| 129 | Inline code for simple patterns |
| 130 | Link to file for heavy reference or reusable tools |
| 131 | |
| 132 | ## Common Mistakes |
| 133 | What goes wrong + fixes |
| 134 | |
| 135 | ## Real-World Impact (optional) |
| 136 | Concrete results |
| 137 | ``` |
| 138 | |
| 139 | |
| 140 | ## Skill Discovery Optimization (SDO) |
| 141 | |
| 142 | **Critical for discovery:** Future agents need to FIND your skill |
| 143 | |
| 144 | ### 1. Rich Description Field |
| 145 | |
| 146 | **Purpose:** Your agent reads the description to decide which skills to load for a given task. Make it answer: "Should I read this skill right now?" |
| 147 | |
| 148 | **Format:** Start with "Use when..." to focus on triggering conditions |
| 149 | |
| 150 | **CRITICAL: Description = When to Use, NOT What the Skill Does** |
| 151 | |
| 152 | The description should ONLY describe triggering conditions. Do NOT summarize the skill's process or workflow in the description. |
| 153 | |
| 154 | **Why this matters:** Testing revealed that when a description summarizes the skill's workflow, an agent may follow the description instead of reading the full skill content. A description saying "code review between tasks" caused an agent to do ONE review, even though the skill's flowchart clearly showed TWO reviews (spec compliance then code quality). |
| 155 | |
| 156 | When the description was changed to just "Use when executing implementation plans with independent tasks" (no workflow summary), the agent correctly read the flowchart and followed the two-stage review process. |
| 157 | |
| 158 | **The trap:** Descriptions that summarize workflow create a shortcut agents will take. The skill body becomes documentation agents skip. |
| 159 | |
| 160 | ```yaml |
| 161 | # ❌ BAD: Summarizes workflow - agents may follow this instead of reading skill |
| 162 | description: Use when executing plans - dispatches subagent per task with code review between tasks |
| 163 | |
| 164 | # ❌ BAD: Too much process detail |
| 165 | description: Use for TDD - write test first, watch it fail, write minimal code, refactor |
| 166 | |
| 167 | # ✅ GOOD: Just triggering conditions, no workflow summary |
| 168 | description: Use when executing implementation plans with independent tasks in the current session |
| 169 | |
| 170 | # ✅ GOOD: Triggering conditions only |
| 171 | description: Use when implementing any feature or bugfix, before writing implementation code |
| 172 | ``` |
| 173 | |
| 174 | **Content:** |
| 175 | - Use concrete triggers, symptoms, and situations that signal this skill applies |
| 176 | - Describe the *problem* (race conditions, inconsistent behavior) not *language-specific symptoms* (setTimeout, sleep) |
| 177 | - Keep triggers technology-agnostic unless the skill itself is technology-specific |
| 178 | - If skill is technology-specific, make that explicit in the trigger |
| 179 | - Write in third person (injected into system prompt) |
| 180 | - **NEVER summarize the skill's process or workflow** |
| 181 | |
| 182 | ```yaml |
| 183 | # ❌ BAD: Too abstract, vague, doesn't include when to use |
| 184 | description: For async testing |
| 185 | |
| 186 | # ❌ BAD: First person |
| 187 | description: I can help you with async tests when they're flaky |
| 188 | |
| 189 | # ❌ BAD: Mentions technology but skill isn't specific to it |
| 190 | description: Use when tests use setTimeout/sleep and are flaky |
| 191 | |
| 192 | # ✅ GOOD: Starts with "Use when", describes problem, no workflow |
| 193 | description: Use when tests have race conditions, timing dependencies, or pass/fail inconsistently |
| 194 | |
| 195 | # ✅ GOOD: Technology-specific skill with explicit trigger |
| 196 | description: Use when using React Router and handling authentication redirects |
| 197 | ``` |
| 198 | |
| 199 | ### 2. Keyword Coverage |
| 200 | |
| 201 | Use words an agent would search for: |
| 202 | - Error messages: "Hook timed out", "ENOTEMPTY", "race condition" |
| 203 | - Symptoms: "flaky", "hanging", "zombie", "pollution" |
| 204 | - Synonyms: "timeout/hang/freeze", "cleanup/teardown/afterEach" |
| 205 | - Tools: Actual commands, library names, file types |
| 206 | |
| 207 | ### 3. Descriptive Naming |
| 208 | |
| 209 | **Use active voice, verb-first:** |
| 210 | - ✅ `creating-skills` not `skill-creation` |
| 211 | - ✅ `condition-based-waiting` not `async-test-helpers` |
| 212 | |
| 213 | ### 4. Token Efficiency (Critical) |
| 214 | |
| 215 | **Problem:** getting-started and frequently-referenced skills load into EVERY conversation. Every token counts. |
| 216 | |
| 217 | **Target word counts:** |
| 218 | - getting-started workflows: <150 words each |
| 219 | - Frequently-loaded skills: <200 words total |
| 220 | - Other skills: <500 words (still be concise) |
| 221 | |
| 222 | **Techniques:** |
| 223 | |
| 224 | **Move details to tool help:** |
| 225 | ```bash |
| 226 | # ❌ BAD: Document all flags in SKILL.md |
| 227 | search-conversations supports --text, --both, --after DATE, --before DATE, --limit N |
| 228 | |
| 229 | # ✅ GOOD: Reference --help |
| 230 | search-conversations supports multiple modes and filters. Run --help for details. |
| 231 | ``` |
| 232 | |
| 233 | **Use cross-references:** |
| 234 | ```markdown |
| 235 | # ❌ BAD: Repeat workflow details |
| 236 | When searching, dispatch subagent with template... |
| 237 | [20 lines of repeated instructions] |
| 238 | |
| 239 | # ✅ GOOD: Reference other skill |
| 240 | Always use subagents (50-100x context savings). REQUIRED: Use [other-skill-name] for workflow. |
| 241 | ``` |
| 242 | |
| 243 | **Compress examples:** |
| 244 | ```markdown |
| 245 | # ❌ BAD: Verbose example (42 words) |
| 246 | your human partner: "How did we handle authentication errors in React Router before?" |
| 247 | You: I'll search past conversations for React Router authentication patterns. |
| 248 | [Dispatch subagent with search query: "React Router authentication error handling 401"] |
| 249 | |
| 250 | # ✅ GOOD: Minimal example (20 words) |
| 251 | Partner: "How did we handle auth errors in React Router?" |
| 252 | You: Searching... |
| 253 | [Dispatch subagent → synthesis] |
| 254 | ``` |
| 255 | |
| 256 | **Eliminate redundancy:** |
| 257 | - Don't repeat what's in cross-referenced skills |
| 258 | - Don't explain what's obvious from command |
| 259 | - Don't include multiple examples of same pattern |
| 260 | |
| 261 | **Verification:** |
| 262 | ```bash |
| 263 | wc -w skills/path/SKILL.md |
| 264 | # getting-started workflows: aim for <150 each |
| 265 | # Other frequently-loaded: aim for <200 total |
| 266 | ``` |
| 267 | |
| 268 | **Name by what you DO or core insight:** |
| 269 | - ✅ `condition-based-waiting` > `async-test-helpers` |
| 270 | - ✅ `using-skills` not `skill-usage` |
| 271 | - ✅ `flatten-with-flags` > `data-structure-refactoring` |
| 272 | - ✅ `root-cause-tracing` > `debugging-techniques` |
| 273 | |
| 274 | **Gerunds (-ing) work well for processes:** |
| 275 | - `creating-skills`, `testing-skills`, `debugging-with-logs` |
| 276 | - Active, describes the action you're taking |
| 277 | |
| 278 | ### 5. Cross-Referencing Other Skills |
| 279 | |
| 280 | **When writing documentation that references other skills:** |
| 281 | |
| 282 | Use skill name only, with explicit requirement markers: |
| 283 | - ✅ Good: `**REQUIRED SUB-SKILL:** Use superpowers:test-driven-development` |
| 284 | - ✅ Good: `**REQUIRED BACKGROUND:** You MUST understand superpowers:systematic-debugging` |
| 285 | - ❌ Bad: `See skills/testing/test-driven-development` (unclear if required) |
| 286 | - ❌ Bad: `@skills/testing/test-driven-development/SKILL.md` (force-loads, burns context) |
| 287 | |
| 288 | **Why no @ links:** `@` syntax force-loads files immediately, consuming 200k+ context before you need them. |
| 289 | |
| 290 | ## Flowchart Usage |
| 291 | |
| 292 | ```dot |
| 293 | digraph when_flowchart { |
| 294 | "Need to show information?" [shape=diamond]; |
| 295 | "Decision where I might go wrong?" [shape=diamond]; |
| 296 | "Use markdown" [shape=box]; |
| 297 | "Small inline flowchart" [shape=box]; |
| 298 | |
| 299 | "Need to show information?" -> "Decision where I might go wrong?" [label="yes"]; |
| 300 | "Decision where I might go wrong?" -> "Small inline flowchart" [label="yes"]; |
| 301 | "Decision where I might go wrong?" -> "Use markdown" [label="no"]; |
| 302 | } |
| 303 | ``` |
| 304 | |
| 305 | **Use flowcharts ONLY for:** |
| 306 | - Non-obvious decision points |
| 307 | - Process loops where you might stop too early |
| 308 | - "When to use A vs B" decisions |
| 309 | |
| 310 | **Never use flowcharts for:** |
| 311 | - Reference material → Tables, lists |
| 312 | - Code examples → Markdown blocks |
| 313 | - Linear instructions → Numbered lists |
| 314 | - Labels without semantic meaning (step1, helper2) |
| 315 | |
| 316 | See `graphviz-conventions.dot` in this directory for graphviz style rules. |
| 317 | |
| 318 | **Visualizing for your human partner:** Use `render-graphs.js` in this directory to render a skill's flowcharts to SVG: |
| 319 | ```bash |
| 320 | ./render-graphs.js ../some-skill # Each diagram separately |
| 321 | ./render-graphs.js ../some-skill --combine # All diagrams in one SVG |
| 322 | ``` |
| 323 | |
| 324 | ## Code Examples |
| 325 | |
| 326 | **One excellent example beats many mediocre ones** |
| 327 | |
| 328 | Choose most relevant language: |
| 329 | - Testing techniques → TypeScript/JavaScript |
| 330 | - System debugging → Shell/Python |
| 331 | - Data processing → Python |
| 332 | |
| 333 | **Good example:** |
| 334 | - Complete and runnable |
| 335 | - Well-commented explaining WHY |
| 336 | - From real scenario |
| 337 | - Shows pattern clearly |
| 338 | - Ready to adapt (not generic template) |
| 339 | |
| 340 | **Don't:** |
| 341 | - Implement in 5+ languages |
| 342 | - Create fill-in-the-blank templates |
| 343 | - Write contrived examples |
| 344 | |
| 345 | You're good at porting - one great example is enough. |
| 346 | |
| 347 | ## File Organization |
| 348 | |
| 349 | ### Self-Contained Skill |
| 350 | ``` |
| 351 | defense-in-depth/ |
| 352 | SKILL.md # Everything inline |
| 353 | ``` |
| 354 | When: All content fits, no heavy reference needed |
| 355 | |
| 356 | ### Skill with Reusable Tool |
| 357 | ``` |
| 358 | condition-based-waiting/ |
| 359 | SKILL.md # Overview + patterns |
| 360 | example.ts # Working helpers to adapt |
| 361 | ``` |
| 362 | When: Tool is reusable code, not just narrative |
| 363 | |
| 364 | ### Skill with Heavy Reference |
| 365 | ``` |
| 366 | pptx/ |
| 367 | SKILL.md # Overview + workflows |
| 368 | pptxgenjs.md # 600 lines API reference |
| 369 | ooxml.md # 500 lines XML structure |
| 370 | scripts/ # Executable tools |
| 371 | ``` |
| 372 | When: Reference material too large for inline |
| 373 | |
| 374 | ## The Iron Law (Same as TDD) |
| 375 | |
| 376 | ``` |
| 377 | NO SKILL WITHOUT A FAILING TEST FIRST |
| 378 | ``` |
| 379 | |
| 380 | This applies to NEW skills AND EDITS to existing skills. |
| 381 | |
| 382 | Write skill before testing? Delete it. Start over. |
| 383 | Edit skill without testing? Same violation. |
| 384 | |
| 385 | **No exceptions:** |
| 386 | - Not for "simple additions" |
| 387 | - Not for "just adding a section" |
| 388 | - Not for "documentation updates" |
| 389 | - Don't keep untested changes as "reference" |
| 390 | - Don't "adapt" while running tests |
| 391 | - Delete means delete |
| 392 | |
| 393 | **REQUIRED BACKGROUND:** The superpowers:test-driven-development skill explains why this matters. Same principles apply to documentation. |
| 394 | |
| 395 | ## Testing All Skill Types |
| 396 | |
| 397 | Different skill types need different test approaches: |
| 398 | |
| 399 | ### Discipline-Enforcing Skills (rules/requirements) |
| 400 | |
| 401 | **Examples:** TDD, verification-before-completion, designing-before-coding |
| 402 | |
| 403 | **Test with:** |
| 404 | - Academic questions: Do they understand the rules? |
| 405 | - Pressure scenarios: Do they comply under stress? |
| 406 | - Multiple pressures combined: time + sunk cost + exhaustion |
| 407 | - Identify rationalizations and add explicit counters |
| 408 | |
| 409 | **Success criteria:** Agent follows rule under maximum pressure |
| 410 | |
| 411 | ### Technique Skills (how-to guides) |
| 412 | |
| 413 | **Examples:** condition-based-waiting, root-cause-tracing, defensive-programming |
| 414 | |
| 415 | **Test with:** |
| 416 | - Application scenarios: Can they apply the technique correctly? |
| 417 | - Variation scenarios: Do they handle edge cases? |
| 418 | - Missing information tests: Do instructions have gaps? |
| 419 | |
| 420 | **Success criteria:** Agent successfully applies technique to new scenario |
| 421 | |
| 422 | ### Pattern Skills (mental models) |
| 423 | |
| 424 | **Examples:** reducing-complexity, information-hiding concepts |
| 425 | |
| 426 | **Test with:** |
| 427 | - Recognition scenarios: Do they recognize when pattern applies? |
| 428 | - Application scenarios: Can they use the mental model? |
| 429 | - Counter-examples: Do they know when NOT to apply? |
| 430 | |
| 431 | **Success criteria:** Agent correctly identifies when/how to apply pattern |
| 432 | |
| 433 | ### Reference Skills (documentation/APIs) |
| 434 | |
| 435 | **Examples:** API documentation, command references, library guides |
| 436 | |
| 437 | **Test with:** |
| 438 | - Retrieval scenarios: Can they find the right information? |
| 439 | - Application scenarios: Can they use what they found correctly? |
| 440 | - Gap testing: Are common use cases covered? |
| 441 | |
| 442 | **Success criteria:** Agent finds and correctly applies reference information |
| 443 | |
| 444 | ## Common Rationalizations for Skipping Testing |
| 445 | |
| 446 | | Excuse | Reality | |
| 447 | |--------|---------| |
| 448 | | "Skill is obviously clear" | Clear to you ≠ clear to other agents. Test it. | |
| 449 | | "It's just a reference" | References can have gaps, unclear sections. Test retrieval. | |
| 450 | | "Testing is overkill" | Untested skills have issues. Always. 15 min testing saves hours. | |
| 451 | | "I'll test if problems emerge" | Problems = agents can't use skill. Test BEFORE deploying. | |
| 452 | | "Too tedious to test" | Testing is less tedious than debugging bad skill in production. | |
| 453 | | "I'm confident it's good" | Overconfidence guarantees issues. Test anyway. | |
| 454 | | "Academic review is enough" | Reading ≠ using. Test application scenarios. | |
| 455 | | "No time to test" | Deploying untested skill wastes more time fixing it later. | |
| 456 | |
| 457 | **All of these mean: Test before deploying. No exceptions.** |
| 458 | |
| 459 | ## Match the Form to the Failure |
| 460 | |
| 461 | Before writing guidance, classify the baseline failure. The form that bulletproofs one failure type measurably backfires on another. |
| 462 | |
| 463 | | Baseline failure | Right form | Wrong form | |
| 464 | |---|---|---| |
| 465 | | Skips/violates a rule under pressure (knows better, does it anyway) | Prohibition + rationalization table + red flags (see Bulletproofing below) | Soft guidance ("prefer...", "consider...") | |
| 466 | | Complies, but output has the wrong shape (bloated prompt, buried verdict, restated spec) | Positive recipe or contract: state what the output IS — its parts, in order | Prohibition list ("don't restate", "never narrate") | |
| 467 | | Omits a required element from something they already produce | Structural: REQUIRED field or slot in the template they fill in | Prose reminders near the template | |
| 468 | | Behavior should depend on a condition | Conditional keyed to an observable predicate ("if the brief exists, reference it") | Unconditional rule + exemption clauses | |
| 469 | |
| 470 | **Why prohibitions backfire on shaping problems:** under a competing incentive ("make the prompt self-contained"), agents negotiate with "don't X". In head-to-head wording tests on dispatch-prompt guidance, the prohibition arm produced clearly more of the unwanted content than the recipe arm (fully separated distributions), and trended worse than even the no-guidance control — micro-test your own case rather than assuming, but never reach for the prohibition by default. A recipe leaves nothing to negotiate: the output matches the stated shape or it doesn't.B1 — Line is 563 characters — unreadable by eye |
| 471 | |
| 472 | **Rules for whichever form you pick:** |
| 473 | - **No nuance clauses.** "Don't X unless it matters" reopens the negotiation — appending a single nuance clause to a winning recipe degraded it from consistent to noisy in the same wording tests. Express a real exception as its own conditional on an observable predicate. |
| 474 | - **Exemption clauses don't scope.** "This limit doesn't apply to code blocks" still suppresses code blocks. If part of the output must be exempt, restructure so the rule can't reach it. |
| 475 | |
| 476 | ## Bulletproofing Skills Against Rationalization |
| 477 | |
| 478 | Skills that enforce discipline (like TDD) need to resist rationalization. Agents are smart and will find loopholes when under pressure. |
| 479 | |
| 480 | **Scope:** this toolkit is for discipline failures — an agent that knows the rule and skips it under pressure. For wrong-shaped output or omitted elements, prohibition-based bulletproofing backfires; use the forms in Match the Form to the Failure instead. |
| 481 | |
| 482 | **Psychology note:** Understanding WHY persuasion techniques work helps you apply them systematically. See persuasion-principles.md for research foundation (Cialdini, 2021; Meincke et al., 2025) on authority, commitment, scarcity, social proof, and unity principles. |
| 483 | |
| 484 | ### Close Every Loophole Explicitly |
| 485 | |
| 486 | Don't just state the rule - forbid specific workarounds: |
| 487 | |
| 488 | <Bad> |
| 489 | ```markdown |
| 490 | Write code before test? Delete it. |
| 491 | ``` |
| 492 | </Bad> |
| 493 | |
| 494 | <Good> |
| 495 | ```markdown |
| 496 | Write code before test? Delete it. Start over. |
| 497 | |
| 498 | **No exceptions:** |
| 499 | - Don't keep it as "reference" |
| 500 | - Don't "adapt" it while writing tests |
| 501 | - Don't look at it |
| 502 | - Delete means delete |
| 503 | ``` |
| 504 | </Good> |
| 505 | |
| 506 | ### Address "Spirit vs Letter" Arguments |
| 507 | |
| 508 | Add foundational principle early: |
| 509 | |
| 510 | ```markdown |
| 511 | **Violating the letter of the rules is violating the spirit of the rules.** |
| 512 | ``` |
| 513 | |
| 514 | This cuts off entire class of "I'm following the spirit" rationalizations. |
| 515 | |
| 516 | ### Build Rationalization Table |
| 517 | |
| 518 | Capture rationalizations from baseline testing (see Testing section below). Every excuse agents make goes in the table: |
| 519 | |
| 520 | ```markdown |
| 521 | | Excuse | Reality | |
| 522 | |--------|---------| |
| 523 | | "Too simple to test" | Simple code breaks. Test takes 30 seconds. | |
| 524 | | "I'll test after" | Tests passing immediately prove nothing. | |
| 525 | | "Tests after achieve same goals" | Tests-after = "what does this do?" Tests-first = "what should this do?" | |
| 526 | ``` |
| 527 | |
| 528 | ### Create Red Flags List |
| 529 | |
| 530 | Make it easy for agents to self-check when rationalizing: |
| 531 | |
| 532 | ```markdown |
| 533 | ## Red Flags - STOP and Start Over |
| 534 | |
| 535 | - Code before test |
| 536 | - "I already manually tested it" |
| 537 | - "Tests after achieve the same purpose" |
| 538 | - "It's about spirit not ritual" |
| 539 | - "This is different because..." |
| 540 | |
| 541 | **All of these mean: Delete code. Start over with TDD.** |
| 542 | ``` |
| 543 | |
| 544 | ### Update SDO for Violation Symptoms |
| 545 | |
| 546 | Add to description: symptoms of when you're ABOUT to violate the rule: |
| 547 | |
| 548 | ```yaml |
| 549 | description: use when implementing any feature or bugfix, before writing implementation code |
| 550 | ``` |
| 551 | |
| 552 | ## RED-GREEN-REFACTOR for Skills |
| 553 | |
| 554 | Follow the TDD cycle: |
| 555 | |
| 556 | ### RED: Write Failing Test (Baseline) |
| 557 | |
| 558 | Run pressure scenario with subagent WITHOUT the skill. Document exact behavior: |
| 559 | - What choices did they make? |
| 560 | - What rationalizations did they use (verbatim)? |
| 561 | - Which pressures triggered violations? |
| 562 | |
| 563 | This is "watch the test fail" - you must see what agents naturally do before writing the skill. |
| 564 | |
| 565 | ### GREEN: Write Minimal Skill |
| 566 | |
| 567 | Write skill that addresses those specific rationalizations. Don't add extra content for hypothetical cases. |
| 568 | |
| 569 | Run same scenarios WITH skill. Agent should now comply. |
| 570 | |
| 571 | ### REFACTOR: Close Loopholes |
| 572 | |
| 573 | Agent found new rationalization? Add explicit counter. Re-test until bulletproof. |
| 574 | |
| 575 | ### Micro-Test Wording Before Full Scenarios |
| 576 | |
| 577 | Full pressure-scenario runs are the final gate, but they are slow and expensive per iteration. Verify the wording itself first with micro-tests: |
| 578 | |
| 579 | 1. **One fresh-context sample per call** — a raw API call, or a single-shot subagent if you don't have API access. System prompt = the realistic context the guidance will live in (the full skill or prompt template, not the guidance in isolation); user message = a task that tempts the failure. |
| 580 | 2. **Always include a no-guidance control.** If the control doesn't exhibit the failure, there is nothing to fix — stop, don't author the guidance. |
| 581 | 3. **5+ reps per variant.** Single samples lie. |
| 582 | 4. **Manually read every flagged match.** Score programmatically if you like, but template echoes and quoted counter-examples masquerade as hits; automated counts alone overstate both failure and success. |
| 583 | 5. **Variance is a metric.** When guidance lands, reps converge on the same shape. Five different interpretations across five reps means the wording isn't binding — tighten the form before adding words. |
| 584 | |
| 585 | Micro-tests verify wording; they do not replace pressure scenarios for discipline skills. |
| 586 | |
| 587 | **Testing methodology:** See [testing-skills-with-subagents.md](testing-skills-with-subagents.md) for the complete testing methodology: |
| 588 | - How to write pressure scenarios |
| 589 | - Pressure types (time, sunk cost, authority, exhaustion) |
| 590 | - Plugging holes systematically |
| 591 | - Meta-testing techniques |
| 592 | |
| 593 | ## Anti-Patterns |
| 594 | |
| 595 | ### ❌ Narrative Example |
| 596 | "In session 2025-10-03, we found empty projectDir caused..." |
| 597 | **Why bad:** Too specific, not reusable |
| 598 | |
| 599 | ### ❌ Multi-Language Dilution |
| 600 | example-js.js, example-py.py, example-go.go |
| 601 | **Why bad:** Mediocre quality, maintenance burden |
| 602 | |
| 603 | ### ❌ Code in Flowcharts |
| 604 | ```dot |
| 605 | step1 [label="import fs"]; |
| 606 | step2 [label="read file"]; |
| 607 | ``` |
| 608 | **Why bad:** Can't copy-paste, hard to read |
| 609 | |
| 610 | ### ❌ Generic Labels |
| 611 | helper1, helper2, step3, pattern4 |
| 612 | **Why bad:** Labels should have semantic meaning |
| 613 | |
| 614 | ## STOP: Before Moving to Next Skill |
| 615 | |
| 616 | **After writing ANY skill, you MUST STOP and complete the deployment process.** |
| 617 | |
| 618 | **Do NOT:** |
| 619 | - Create multiple skills in batch without testing each |
| 620 | - Move to next skill before current one is verified |
| 621 | - Skip testing because "batching is more efficient" |
| 622 | |
| 623 | **The deployment checklist below is MANDATORY for EACH skill.** |
| 624 | |
| 625 | Deploying untested skills = deploying untested code. It's a violation of quality standards. |
| 626 | |
| 627 | ## Skill Creation Checklist (TDD Adapted) |
| 628 | |
| 629 | **IMPORTANT: Create a todo for EACH checklist item below.** |
| 630 | |
| 631 | **RED Phase - Write Failing Test:** |
| 632 | - [ ] Create pressure scenarios (3+ combined pressures for discipline skills) |
| 633 | - [ ] Run scenarios WITHOUT skill - document baseline behavior verbatim |
| 634 | - [ ] Identify patterns in rationalizations/failures |
| 635 | |
| 636 | **GREEN Phase - Write Minimal Skill:** |
| 637 | - [ ] Name uses only letters, numbers, hyphens (no parentheses/special chars) |
| 638 | - [ ] YAML frontmatter with required `name` and `description` fields (max 1024 chars; see [spec](https://agentskills.io/specification)) |
| 639 | - [ ] Description starts with "Use when..." and includes specific triggers/symptoms |
| 640 | - [ ] Description written in third person |
| 641 | - [ ] Keywords throughout for search (errors, symptoms, tools) |
| 642 | - [ ] Clear overview with core principle |
| 643 | - [ ] Address specific baseline failures identified in RED |
| 644 | - [ ] Guidance form matches the failure type (see Match the Form to the Failure) |
| 645 | - [ ] For behavior-shaping guidance: wording micro-tested against a no-guidance control (5+ reps, every flagged match read manually) — N/A for pure reference skills |
| 646 | - [ ] Code inline OR link to separate file |
| 647 | - [ ] One excellent example (not multi-language) |
| 648 | - [ ] Run scenarios WITH skill - verify agents now comply |
| 649 | |
| 650 | **REFACTOR Phase - Close Loopholes:** |
| 651 | - [ ] Identify NEW rationalizations from testing |
| 652 | - [ ] Add explicit counters (if discipline skill) |
| 653 | - [ ] Build rationalization table from all test iterations |
| 654 | - [ ] Create red flags list |
| 655 | - [ ] Re-test until bulletproof |
| 656 | |
| 657 | **Quality Checks:** |
| 658 | - [ ] Small flowchart only if decision non-obvious |
| 659 | - [ ] Quick reference table |
| 660 | - [ ] Common mistakes section |
| 661 | - [ ] No narrative storytelling |
| 662 | - [ ] Supporting files only for tools or heavy reference |
| 663 | |
| 664 | **Deployment:** |
| 665 | - [ ] Commit skill to git and push to your fork (if configured) |
| 666 | - [ ] Consider contributing back via PR (if broadly useful) |
| 667 | |
| 668 | ## Discovery Workflow |
| 669 | |
| 670 | How future agents find your skill: |
| 671 | |
| 672 | 1. **Encounters problem** ("tests are flaky") |
| 673 | 2. **Searches skills** (greps descriptions, browses categories) |
| 674 | 3. **Finds SKILL** (description matches) |
| 675 | 4. **Scans overview** (is this relevant?) |
| 676 | 5. **Reads patterns** (quick reference table) |
| 677 | 6. **Loads example** (only when implementing) |
| 678 | |
| 679 | **Optimize for this flow** - put searchable terms early and often. |
| 680 |
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