using-skills

The using-skills agent is a foundational architectural component designed to regulate the behavior of software agents during project execution. It mandates a strict, non-negotiable protocol for identifying and invoking specialized capabilities from the repository's skill set. By requiring agents to verify the existence of relevant skills before responding to any user prompt, it prevents premature execution, ensures context-aware decision-making, and guarantees that documented best practices are followed. This skill acts as an meta-governance layer, preventing common rationalizations such as treating tasks as 'too simple' or skipping formal verification steps.

• Mandatory Protocol: Enforces a checklist-based response mechanism, requiring agents to list available skills, evaluate applicability, and announce usage via the Skill tool.

• TodoWrite Integration: Mandates the creation of persistent TodoWrite tasks for any actionable items found within a skill's instructions, ensuring that complex workflows are not lost or skipped in the context of a conversation.

• Rationalization Filtering: Explicitly defines and bans common failure patterns (e.g., 'this is a simple question,' 'let me check files first'), forcing the agent to rely on the established system instead of heuristic shortcuts.

• Workflow Consistency: Ensures that critical practices like brainstorming, test-driven development, and verification are triggered consistently regardless of the user's perceived complexity of the task.

• Always consult the repository's .claude/skills/ directory to ensure the agent is using the latest version of this protocol.

• Do not attempt to work through checklists mentally; always use TodoWrite to ensure accountability and traceability.

• If a skill applies to even 1% of the task, it is mandatory to use it; there is no option to opt out.

• This skill is intended for all software agents interacting with the codebase to maintain strict alignment with the SDD (Spec-Driven Development) standards and project architecture.