Sketch types, signatures, and module structure before code, then stay in the loop while implementation fills in. Use for $architect, 'architect this', 'design this', or non-trivial work where jumping to code would lock in the wrong shape.
Spawn N parallel candidates at the same task, pick a base, graft the strongest parts of the losers into it. Use for $arena, 'arena this', 'throw it in the arena', or when one attempt at a non-trivial artifact would lock in the wrong shape.
Use for "automate me", "create/update/refresh my -mode skill", "turn/capture my preferences or working style into a skill", or wanting agents to follow how the user works. Drafts or revises a personal -mode skill through skill-creator and unslop, optionally…
Vet a perf measurement (limiter, tuning, limits, errors, repeatability, relevance, and whether the work happened) before you report or act on it. Use when you run a benchmark or report a speedup or regression you measured.
Generate a project-local verification skill that drives your app the way a user does — any language, framework, or platform. Use for $create-verification-skill, "make a control skill for this repo", or when a project has no scripted way to prove…
Design an auditable playbook when no narrower one fits: a large migration, an ambitious multi-part change, or work a human reviews after stepping away. Scales rigor to the task, runs a hypothesis loop, and logs decisions via show-me-your-work. Use for…
Use for "how does X work", code walkthroughs before changing something, and placement / ownership / layering questions ("where should this live", "which package owns this", "is this the right layer"). Explains subsystem architecture, runtime flow, onboarding…
Restate in your own words what you think the user's goals are and what problem they're trying to solve. Use for $in-your-own-words.