// Use when starting any conversation - establishes how to find and use skills, requiring skill loading via view_file before ANY response including clarifying questions
| name | using-superpowers |
| description | Use when starting any conversation - establishes how to find and use skills, requiring skill loading via view_file before ANY response including clarifying questions |
IF A SKILL APPLIES TO YOUR TASK, YOU DO NOT HAVE A CHOICE. YOU MUST USE IT.
This is not negotiable. This is not optional. You cannot rationalize your way out of this.
In Antigravity: Use view_file to load a skill from .agent/skills/<skill-name>/SKILL.md (or ~/.gemini/skills/<skill-name>/SKILL.md when needed). When you load a skill, follow it directly.
In other environments: Check your platform's documentation for how skills are loaded.
Invoke relevant or requested skills BEFORE any response or action. Even a 1% chance a skill might apply means that you should invoke the skill to check. If an invoked skill turns out to be wrong for the situation, you don't need to use it.
digraph skill_flow {
"User message received" [shape=doublecircle];
"About to EnterPlanMode?" [shape=doublecircle];
"Already brainstormed?" [shape=diamond];
"Invoke brainstorming skill" [shape=box];
"Might any skill apply?" [shape=diamond];
"Load skill via view_file" [shape=box];
"Announce: 'Using [skill] to [purpose]'" [shape=box];
"Has checklist?" [shape=diamond];
"Update project-root docs/plans/task.md per checklist item" [shape=box];
"Follow skill exactly" [shape=box];
"Respond (including clarifications)" [shape=doublecircle];
"About to EnterPlanMode?" -> "Already brainstormed?";
"Already brainstormed?" -> "Invoke brainstorming skill" [label="no"];
"Already brainstormed?" -> "Might any skill apply?" [label="yes"];
"Invoke brainstorming skill" -> "Might any skill apply?";
"User message received" -> "Might any skill apply?";
"Might any skill apply?" -> "Load skill via view_file" [label="yes, even 1%"];
"Might any skill apply?" -> "Respond (including clarifications)" [label="definitely not"];
"Load skill via view_file" -> "Announce: 'Using [skill] to [purpose]'";
"Announce: 'Using [skill] to [purpose]'" -> "Has checklist?";
"Has checklist?" -> "Update project-root docs/plans/task.md per checklist item" [label="yes"];
"Has checklist?" -> "Follow skill exactly" [label="no"];
"Update project-root docs/plans/task.md per checklist item" -> "Follow skill exactly";
}
If the tracker file is missing, create <project-root>/docs/plans/task.md as a table-only task list.
These thoughts mean STOP—you're rationalizing:
| Thought | Reality |
|---|---|
| "This is just a simple question" | Questions are tasks. Check for skills. |
| "I need more context first" | Skill check comes BEFORE clarifying questions. |
| "Let me explore the codebase first" | Skills tell you HOW to explore. Check first. |
| "I can check git/files quickly" | Files lack conversation context. Check for skills. |
| "Let me gather information first" | Skills tell you HOW to gather information. |
| "This doesn't need a formal skill" | If a skill exists, use it. |
| "I remember this skill" | Skills evolve. Read current version. |
| "This doesn't count as a task" | Action = task. Check for skills. |
| "The skill is overkill" | Simple things become complex. Use it. |
| "I'll just do this one thing first" | Check BEFORE doing anything. |
| "This feels productive" | Undisciplined action wastes time. Skills prevent this. |
| "I know what that means" | Knowing the concept ≠ using the skill. Invoke it. |
When multiple skills could apply, use this order:
"Let's build X" → brainstorming first, then implementation skills. "Fix this bug" → debugging first, then domain-specific skills.
Rigid (TDD, debugging): Follow exactly. Don't adapt away discipline.
Flexible (patterns): Adapt principles to context.
The skill itself tells you which.
Instructions say WHAT, not HOW. "Add X" or "Fix Y" doesn't mean skip workflows.
Use when you have a written implementation plan and need to execute it in Antigravity single-flow mode
Use when implementation is complete, all tests pass, and you need to decide how to integrate the work - guides completion of development work by presenting structured options for merge, PR, or cleanup
Use when receiving code review feedback, before implementing suggestions, especially if feedback seems unclear or technically questionable - requires technical rigor and verification, not performative agreement or blind implementation
Use when completing tasks, implementing major features, or before merging to verify work meets requirements
Use when executing implementation plans, handling multiple independent tasks, or doing structured task-by-task development with review gates in Antigravity.
Use when encountering any bug, test failure, or unexpected behavior, before proposing fixes