agent-task-shaping

name	agent-task-shaping
description	Shape ambiguous or frontier-agent work into a bounded agent task with outcome, scope, context, tools, autonomy level, and verification evidence.

Agent Task Shaping

Use this skill before launching an agentic implementation, research, review, or long-running workflow from a vague request.

Process

• State the user-visible outcome in one sentence.
• Name the smallest reversible slice that can produce evidence.
• Separate required context from optional background.
• Choose the agent loadout or role that can own the slice end to end.
• Identify allowed tools, blocked tools, and any permission expansion that needs approval.
• Define the autonomy level: act directly, ask before mutation, ask before external side effects, or propose only.
• Define verification evidence before work starts.

Output

Task

Scope

Context Needed

Agent / Loadout

Tool Boundaries

Autonomy Level

Verification Evidence

Follow-Up Capture

Avoid

• turning broad strategy into unbounded execution
• starting from tool availability instead of task outcome
• asking a human for decisions the agent can resolve from repository evidence
• adopting learnings without a traceable issue, test, policy check, or run receipt