ct-writing-skills

Create and test agent skills using a TDD-based RED-GREEN-REFACTOR documentation workflow.

1|Updated Sep 8, 2026
One-click install
npx skills add https://github.com/mercadona/control-tower --skill ct-writing-skills-mercadona
Or copy as Structured Prompt for Agent
Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: ct-writing-skills
Source: https://github.com/mercadona/control-tower/tree/main/plugin/skills/ct-writing-skills
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/mercadona/control-tower --skill ct-writing-skills-mercadona

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

What problem does it solve? Untested skill documentation often fails in practice because authors never observe how agents actually misbehave without it, leading to instructions that agents ignore, misinterpret, or rationalize away under pressure. ## Core Features & Use Cases - TDD-based skill authoring: Applies the RED-GREEN-REFACTOR cycle to documentation by running baseline pressure scenarios with subagents before writing any skill content. - Skill Discovery Optimization (SDO): Provides rules for writing description fields, keyword coverage, naming conventions, and token-efficient SKILL.md structure. - Rationalization bulletproofing: Supplies rationalization tables, red flag lists, and persuasion-principle guidance to close loopholes agents exploit under time, sunk-cost, or authority pressure. - Use Case: Before deploying a new discipline-enforcing skill, run pressure scenarios without it, document the agent's verbatim excuses, write the minimal skill addressing those failures, then iterate until the agent complies under maximum pressure. ## Quick Start Ask the agent to create a new skill following the TDD process: first run a baseline pressure scenario without the skill, then write the SKILL.md addressing the observed failures.

Frequently Asked Questions about ct-writing-skills

High-intent search queries and answers about installing and using this skill.

FAQPage Schema
How do I write a SKILL.md file that agents actually follow?

Run baseline pressure scenarios with subagents before writing anything, document the exact rationalizations agents use, then write minimal content addressing those specific failures. Re-test with the skill present and iterate until agents comply under pressure.

What should go in a skill description field?

The description should only state triggering conditions, starting with "Use when..." plus specific symptoms and situations. Never summarize the skill's workflow, because agents may follow the description shortcut instead of reading the full skill body.

How do I test a skill before deploying it?

Use pressure scenarios combining three or more pressures such as time, sunk cost, and authority. Run them without the skill to capture baseline failures, then with the skill to verify compliance, and refactor to close any new rationalizations.

When should I not create a new skill?

Skip skill creation for one-off solutions, project-specific conventions, well-documented standard practices, and mechanical constraints that can be enforced with validation or automation instead of documentation.

Why do agents ignore skill instructions under pressure?

Agents rationalize violations using excuses like sunk cost or spirit-versus-letter arguments. Counter this with explicit negations of each loophole, rationalization tables, red flag lists, and authority-based imperative language.