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>
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 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.
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:
- Process skills first (brainstorming, debugging) - these determine HOW to approach the task
- 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.
Native Task Integration
Many skills use Claude Code's native task tools (TaskCreate, TaskUpdate, TaskList) to enforce quality gates and track progress.
Pattern: Skills with multi-phase processes create sequential, blocked tasks:
TaskCreate: "Phase 1: [Description]"
description: "[Acceptance criteria]"
activeForm: "[Present continuous action]"
# Returns task ID (e.g., "1") - capture this for dependencies
TaskCreate: "Phase 2: [Description]"
addBlockedBy: ["1"] # Use actual ID returned from Phase 1
Note: TaskCreate returns a task ID in its response. Capture this ID to use in addBlockedBy for dependent tasks. The [phase-1-id] placeholders in skill documentation represent where you insert the actual returned ID.
When invoking skills with tasks: Tasks are created automatically. Follow the skill's instructions for when to mark tasks complete.
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