feeblemind

name	feeblemind
description	In D&D, Feeblemind crushes a creature's Intelligence and Charisma to near-zero — leaving them alive but barely functional. The real-world version is deliberate capability reduction: putting a system into safe mode, stripping an overpowered tool down to basic functions, reducing attack surface by removing features. Feeblemind is not punishment — it is the recognition that sometimes a system at full capability is more dangerous than a system at reduced capability. Restricted shells, read-only modes, feature-stripped emergency interfaces.
version	1.0.0
author	Wizards of the Ghosts
license	CC0-1.0
compatibility	Hermes Agent skills system
metadata	{"hermes":{"tags":["spell","prototype","metaphorical","containment-and-intervention","containment","intervention","disruption","safety"]}}

Feeblemind

Strip a system down to minimal capability when full power is too dangerous.

What This Skill Does

In D&D, Feeblemind crushes a creature's Intelligence and Charisma to near-zero — leaving them alive but barely functional. The real-world version is deliberate capability reduction: putting a system into safe mode, stripping an overpowered tool down to basic functions, reducing attack surface by removing features. Feeblemind is not punishment — it is the recognition that sometimes a system at full capability is more dangerous than a system at reduced capability. Restricted shells, read-only modes, feature-stripped emergency interfaces. In this grimoire, Feeblemind is treated as a metaphorical spell with a prototype delivery profile. Canonical reference input: Feeblemind (spell).

When To Use

• A system at full capability poses a risk that outweighs the cost of reduced functionality.
• You need to reduce attack surface by stripping non-essential features.
• A tool or service should be put into safe mode or restricted operation during an incident or investigation.

Prerequisites

• No extra runtime dependencies beyond Hermes Agent and the normal toolset for this session.

Procedure

1. Restate the target, the success condition, and any no-touch boundaries before taking action.
2. Identify which capabilities must be preserved (minimal viable function) and which can be safely stripped.
3. Implement the capability reduction: safe mode, restricted shell, feature stripping, read-only lock.
4. Verify the reduced system still performs its essential function.
5. Document what was removed and the conditions under which full capability should be restored.
6. Set a review point — feeblemind should be temporary unless the full-capability version is permanently retired.
7. Package the result as the deliverables below, with confidence, assumptions, and unresolved risk called out explicitly.

Deliverables

• A capability reduction plan: what stays, what goes, and why.
• Confirmation that minimal viable function is preserved.
• Restoration criteria: what conditions must be met to return to full capability.

Pitfalls / Guardrails

• Call out the glue, permissions, or missing infrastructure before you imply this is fully operational.
• Feeblemind must preserve minimal viable function. Reducing a system to zero capability is Power Word Kill, not Feeblemind.
• Capability reduction of user-facing systems requires clear communication about what changed and when it will be restored.
• Do not use Feeblemind to permanently hobble systems that should instead be redesigned or decommissioned.