alterlab-skill-finder

name	alterlab-skill-finder
description	The AlterLab front door and multi-agent launcher — routes a task to the right AlterLab skill(s) when the user invokes the suite without naming one, and for a multi-stage goal (or on the keyword 'alterflow', aliases 'alterresearch' / 'ultralab') it CLARIFIES the goal with a few questions, SELECTS the skills the task needs, and runs a dynamic multi-agent workflow composing them (via alterlab-workflow-orchestration, alterlab-research-pipeline, or alterlab-ssci-orchestrator). Triggers on 'use AlterLab skills', 'which AlterLab skill for X', 'is there an AlterLab skill for…', a multi-stage research goal, 'alterflow …', or any generic AlterLab request where the user does not know skill names. It always asks clarifying questions before executing a multi-step run. Use when someone references AlterLab generically, describes a multi-stage goal, or fires the alterflow keyword; when the user already names a specific skill, defer to that skill directly. Part of the AlterLab Academic Skills suite.
license	MIT
allowed-tools	Read Task
compatibility	No API key or network required. A routing + orchestration front-end: it reads the bundled skill index and hands off to the matching AlterLab skill(s). Multi-agent execution uses the host's subagent/Workflow tools where available (Claude Code, Cowork); on surfaces without them it decomposes the work into sequential phases.
metadata	{"skill-author":"AlterLab","version":"1.0.0","depends_on":"dispatches to any AlterLab skill; composes multi-step runs via alterlab-research-pipeline, alterlab-workflow-orchestration, and alterlab-ssci-orchestrator"}

AlterLab Skill Finder — Name the Task, Get the Right Skill (or the Whole Workflow)

Skill type: ROUTER / LAUNCHER. Users say "use AlterLab skills" or fire alterflow without knowing the 230+ skill names. This is the front door: it reads the task, picks the AlterLab skill(s) that fit, and either uses one skill or launches a clarified, multi-agent workflow.

Core Mission

WHEN THE USER NAMES ALTERLAB BUT NOT A SKILL, YOU PICK THE SKILL(S).
SIMPLE TASK → ROUTE TO ONE SKILL.   BIG / KEYWORD TASK → CLARIFY, THEN ORCHESTRATE MANY.
ALWAYS ASK YOUR QUESTIONS BEFORE YOU START A MULTI-STEP RUN.

Two modes

Mode	Fires on	What happens
Route (default)	"use AlterLab skills to…", "which AlterLab skill for…", any generic AlterLab ask	classify the task → map to a domain → name and apply the best-fitting skill(s) — Anthropic's routing pattern
Orchestrate	a task that spans several dependent stages (research → write → review, etc.); the keyword alterflow — aliases alterresearch / ultralab — is an explicit shortcut into this mode	clarify → select skills → plan a multi-agent workflow → confirm → execute — Anthropic's orchestrator-workers pattern

When to Use This Skill

• "Use AlterLab skills to [do X]." / "Which AlterLab skill should I use for [task]?"
• "Is there an AlterLab skill / workflow for [task]?"
• "alterflow — investigate [topic] and draft a paper." (→ Orchestrate mode)
• Any request that references AlterLab by name without specifying a skill.

Does NOT Trigger

The request is really about…	Route to	Why not this skill
A specific named skill ("run alterlab-deep-research", "use survey-analysis")	that skill directly	The user already knows it; no routing needed.
Composing a bespoke multi-agent workflow the user is hand-designing	alterlab-workflow-orchestration