Ehrax/using-superpowers

<SUBAGENT-STOP> If you were dispatched as a subagent to execute a specific task, skip this skill. </SUBAGENT-STOP> <EXTREMELY-IMPORTANT> Do not invoke this skill merely because a new conversation or prompt started.

Use skills when they are directly relevant to the user's request, explicitly requested by the user, or needed for a high-risk workflow where the skill materially improves the result.

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>

Instruction Priority

Superpowers skills override default system prompt behavior, but user instructions always take precedence:

1. User's explicit instructions (CLAUDE.md, GEMINI.md, AGENTS.md, direct requests) — highest priority
2. Superpowers skills — override default system behavior where they conflict
3. Default system prompt — lowest priority

If CLAUDE.md, GEMINI.md, or AGENTS.md says "don't use TDD" and a skill says "always use TDD," follow the user's instructions. The user is in control.

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 Copilot CLI: Use the skill tool. Skills are auto-discovered from installed plugins. The skill tool works the same as Claude Code's Skill tool.

In Gemini CLI: Skills activate via the activate_skill tool. Gemini loads skill metadata at session start and activates the full content on demand.

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

Platform Adaptation

Skills use Claude Code tool names. Non-CC platforms: see references/copilot-tools.md (Copilot CLI), references/codex-tools.md (Codex) for tool equivalents. Gemini CLI users get the tool mapping loaded automatically via GEMINI.md.

Using Skills

The Rule

Invoke directly relevant or requested skills before taking action. Do not run a global skill check for every prompt. If no listed skill clearly applies, proceed normally.

digraph skill_flow {
    "User message received" [shape=doublecircle];
    "Did user request a skill?" [shape=diamond];
    "Does a skill directly apply?" [shape=diamond];
    "Invoke Skill tool" [shape=box];
    "Announce: 'Using [skill] to [purpose]'" [shape=box];
    "Has checklist?" [shape=diamond];
    "Create TodoWrite todo per item" [shape=box];
    "Follow skill exactly" [shape=box];
    "Respond (including clarifications)" [shape=doublecircle];

    "User message received" -> "Did user request a skill?";
    "Did user request a skill?" -> "Invoke Skill tool" [label="yes"];
    "Did user request a skill?" -> "Does a skill directly apply?" [label="no"];
    "Does a skill directly apply?" -> "Invoke Skill tool" [label="yes"];
    "Does a skill directly apply?" -> "Respond (including clarifications)" [label="no"];
    "Invoke Skill tool" -> "Announce: 'Using [skill] to [purpose]'";
    "Announce: 'Using [skill] to [purpose]'" -> "Has checklist?";
    "Has checklist?" -> "Create TodoWrite todo per item" [label="yes"];
    "Has checklist?" -> "Follow skill exactly" [label="no"];
    "Create TodoWrite todo per item" -> "Follow skill exactly";
}

Red Flags

These thoughts mean STOP—you're rationalizing:

| Thought | Reality | |---------|---------| | "The user explicitly asked for a skill, but I can answer from memory" | Use the requested skill. | | "A skill directly matches this workflow, but it feels like overhead" | Use the matching skill. | | "I remember this skill" | Skills evolve. Read current version. | | "The skill trigger is close enough" | Only use it when the trigger clearly matches the request. |

Skill Priority

When multiple directly relevant 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.

User instructions can also narrow when workflows should trigger. If the user says a skill or workflow is too noisy, update or follow the trigger conditions so it activates only for directly relevant work.