ponytail-help

Displays a quick-reference card for ponytail modes, skills, and commands.

2|Updated Jan 26, 2026

Search Tags:#claude code #slash commands #yagni #help #reference card #ponytail #lazy coding

Ready to run

npx skills add https://github.com/Nzettodess/Awesome-Agent-Skills --skill ponytail-help-nzettodess

💬 Prompt for ChatGPT / Claude Chat▼

Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: ponytail-help
Source: https://github.com/Nzettodess/Awesome-Agent-Skills/tree/main/Skills/Development/ponytail-help
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/Nzettodess/Awesome-Agent-Skills --skill ponytail-help-nzettodess

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

What problem does it solve? Users of the ponytail plugin often forget which modes, slash commands, and configuration options are available, forcing them to dig through external documentation mid-session. ## Core Features & Use Cases - Command Reference Card: Shows all ponytail levels (lite, full, ultra), their triggers, and what each changes in agent behavior. - Configuration Guidance: Explains how to set the default mode via the PONYTAIL_DEFAULT_MODE environment variable or the config.json file, including resolution priority. - Use Case: A developer types "/ponytail-help" in Claude Code and immediately sees how to switch to ultra mode, deactivate ponytail, or enable auto-updates without leaving the session. ## Quick Start Ask the agent to show the ponytail help card by saying "ponytail help" or invoking /ponytail-help.

Frequently Asked Questions about ponytail-help

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

FAQPage Schema

How do I see all ponytail commands and modes?▼

Invoke /ponytail-help or say "ponytail help" to display the reference card listing all levels (lite, full, ultra), skills, and commands. It is a one-shot display that does not change your current mode or persist any state.

What is the difference between ponytail lite, full, and ultra modes?▼

Lite builds what is asked and names the lazier alternative in one line. Full enforces the ladder of YAGNI, stdlib, native, one line, minimum, and is the default. Ultra is a YAGNI extremist mode that prefers deletion over addition and challenges requirements before building.

How do I change the default ponytail mode?▼

Set the PONYTAIL_DEFAULT_MODE environment variable, or edit the config.json file at ~/.config/ponytail/config.json with a defaultMode value. The environment variable takes priority over the config file, which takes priority over the built-in full default.

Does ponytail-help work in Codex and OpenCode?▼

Yes. Codex uses the @ponytail-help mention form, while Claude Code and OpenCode use the /ponytail-help slash command. The displayed card itself documents the command forms for each host.

How do I turn off ponytail mode?▼

Say "stop ponytail" or "normal mode", or run /ponytail off. You can resume anytime with /ponytail, and setting defaultMode to "off" in the config disables auto-activation at session start.