devils-advocate

Constructs the strongest counterargument against an idea, plan, or decision to expose assumptions and risks.

11|1|Updated Jul 25, 2025

Search Tags:#decision analysis #critical thinking #risk assessment #stress testing #assumption testing #steelman #decision review

Ready to run

npx skills add https://github.com/tomzx/agents --skill devils-advocate-tomzx

💬 Prompt for ChatGPT / Claude Chat▼

Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: devils-advocate
Source: https://github.com/tomzx/agents/tree/main/skills/devils-advocate
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/tomzx/agents --skill devils-advocate-tomzx

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

What problem does it solve? Decisions and plans often carry hidden assumptions, unexamined failure modes, and blind spots that only surface after commitment. This Skill stress-tests a position before you act on it, so weak points are found early instead of after they cause damage. ## Core Features & Use Cases - Structured Challenge Framework: Systematically examines assumptions, counterarguments, failure modes, blind spots, alternatives, second-order effects, and opportunity cost. - Severity-Rated Findings: Distinguishes fatal flaws from manageable risks and delivers a clear verdict: Holds, Needs revision, or Reconsider. - Use Case: Before committing to a build-vs-buy decision or a major architecture migration, run the challenge to surface implicit assumptions (e.g., long-term maintenance ownership) and cheaper alternatives you dismissed too quickly. ## Quick Start Ask the agent to play devil's advocate on your plan, for example: challenge my proposal to migrate all internal services from REST to gRPC.

Frequently Asked Questions about devils-advocate

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

FAQPage Schema

How do I stress-test a decision before committing to it?▼

Provide your idea, plan, or decision and ask for a devil's advocate challenge. The skill restates your position, identifies explicit and implicit assumptions, builds the strongest counterargument, and delivers a verdict of Holds, Needs revision, or Reconsider with actionable recommendations.

What is the difference between steelmanning and strawmanning an argument?▼

Steelmanning constructs the strongest version of the opposing view, while strawmanning attacks a weak, easily defeated version. This skill explicitly steel-mans the counterargument so you face the best objections, not the easiest ones.

Can I use devil's advocate analysis on technical architecture decisions?▼

Yes, it works on technical approaches, build-vs-buy decisions, and product direction. If the position involves code or architecture, the skill reads relevant files to ground the challenge in reality rather than speculation.

When should I not use a devil's advocate challenge?▼

Avoid it for low-stakes, easily reversible decisions where the analysis cost exceeds the risk. It is most valuable before significant commitments like migrations, large engineering investments, or strategic direction changes.

What does the verdict in a devil's advocate review mean?▼

Holds means the position survives serious challenge and you can proceed confidently. Needs revision means valid concerns exist but the core direction is sound. Reconsider means a fatal flaw or better alternative was found and you should rethink before committing.