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.

How to Access Skills

In Claude Code: Use the Skill tool. When you invoke a skill, its content is loaded and presented to you — follow it directly. Never use the Read tool on skill files.

In other environments: Check your platform's documentation for how skills are loaded.

Using Skills

The Rule

Invoke relevant or requested skills BEFORE any response or action. Even a 1% chance a skill might apply means invoke it. If an invoked skill turns out to be wrong, 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]; "Invoke Skill tool" [shape=box]; "Announce skill usage" [shape=box]; "Has checklist?" [shape=diamond]; "Create TodoWrite per item" [shape=box]; "Follow skill exactly" [shape=box]; "Respond" [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?" -> "Invoke Skill tool" [label="yes, even 1%"];
"Might any skill apply?" -> "Respond" [label="definitely not"];
"Invoke Skill tool" -> "Announce skill usage";
"Announce skill usage" -> "Has checklist?";
"Has checklist?" -> "Create TodoWrite per item" [label="yes"];
"Has checklist?" -> "Follow skill exactly" [label="no"];
"Create TodoWrite per item" -> "Follow skill exactly";

}

For red flags table, skill priority rules, and skill type guidance, see references/red-flags-and-priority.md.