Use when changing cogitation project settings (test/build/lint commands, branching conventions, graphify/codex toggles), or the user says "change config", "update settings", or "set test command"
Use when setting up a project for cogitation for the first time, or the user says "set up cogitation", "init", or "configure this project"
Use at the start of any conversation — establishes the cogitation workflow and requires invoking the right skill before responding, including before clarifying questions
Use for MEDIUM-sized work — new but contained behavior (one component, no architecture/data/API change) that deserves rigor without the design-doc + plan-doc ceremony of brainstorming
Use when the user wants to tailor the cogitation workflow — says "customise", "recustomise", "change the workflow", "make TDD less strict", "turn off finishing-branch", or wants a skill looser or disabled
Use when EC memories need cleanup — deduping, pruning stale entries, hygiene — or the user says "audit memories", "clean up EC", or "review what's stored"
Use before any feature work or new feature — interviews you about the feature one question at a time, pushes back on gaps, and saves a design doc with a decisions log
Use when you want an independent second-opinion review of a design doc or implementation plan from OpenAI Codex before executing — only if codex is enabled in .cogitation/config.json