using-superpowers

<EXTREMELY-IMPORTANT> If you think there is even a 1% chance a skill might apply to what you are doing, you ABSOLUTELY MUST use that skill. 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. </EXTREMELY-IMPORTANT> ## Codex CLI Skill Access Codex discovers skills from: - Project-local: `./.agents/skills/` - User-level: `~/.agents/skills/` When a skill applies, open and follow that skill's `SKILL.md` instructions before taking implementation actions. # Using Skills ## The Rule **Use relevant or requested skills BEFORE implementation actions.** Even a 1% chance a skill might apply means you should read it first. If a skill turns out not to apply, move on. ```dot 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]; "Read relevant SKILL.md files" [shape=box]; "Announce: 'Using [skill] to [purpose]'" [shape=box]; "Has checklist?" [shape=diamond]; "Track checklist with update_plan" [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?" -> "Read relevant SKILL.md files" [label="yes, even 1%"]; "Might any skill apply?" -> "Respond (including clarifications)" [label="definitely not"]; "Read relevant SKILL.md files" -> "Announce: 'Using [skill] to [purpose]'"; "Announce: 'Using [skill] to [purpose]'" -> "Has checklist?"; "Has checklist?" -> "Track checklist with update_plan" [label="yes"]; "Has checklist?" -> "Follow skill exactly" [label="no"]; "Track checklist with update_plan" -> "Follow skill exactly"; } ``` ## Red Flags 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. | ## Skill Priority When multiple skills could apply, use this order: 1. **Process skills first** (brainstorming, debugging) - these determine HOW to approach the task 2. **Implementation skills second** (frontend-design, mcp-builder) - these guide execution "Let's build X" → brainstorming first, then implementation skills. "Fix this bug" → debugging first, then domain-specific skills. ## Skill Types **Rigid** (TDD, debugging): Follow exactly. Don't adapt away discipline. **Flexible** (patterns): Adapt principles to context. The skill itself tells you which. ## User Instructions Instructions say WHAT, not HOW. "Add X" or "Fix Y" doesn't mean skip workflows.