Spike

Run time-boxed technical investigations and produce evidence-based findings artifacts.

1|Updated Oct 17, 2025
One-click install
npx skills add https://github.com/softwaresalt/csv-managed --skill spike-softwaresalt
Or copy as Structured Prompt for Agent
Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: Spike
Source: https://github.com/softwaresalt/csv-managed/tree/main/.github/skills/spike
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/softwaresalt/csv-managed --skill spike-softwaresalt

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

What problem does it solve?

This Skill helps you answer a specific technical uncertainty by running a time-boxed investigation and producing grounded findings you can act on.

Core Features & Use Cases

  • Time-boxed feasibility investigation: Investigate a hypothesis through code reading, prototyping, benchmarking, or evaluating external tools within a defined duration.
  • Evidence-based recommendation: Produce a findings artifact with goal, approach, evidence, recommendation (proceed, pivot, defer, abandon), and confidence level.
  • Actionable promotion workflow: Optionally promote results into planning, queue work, or institutional learnings, and create backlog items when supported.

Quick Start

Use the Spike skill to investigate the feasibility of your chosen technical question within a 4h time-box and generate a long-lived findings artifact linked for next workflow steps.

Frequently Asked Questions about Spike

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

FAQPage Schema
What is a technical spike for feasibility investigation?

A technical spike is a time-boxed investigation applied to pre-implementation uncertainty such as technology selection, performance measurement, or migration path comparison. It evaluates a feasibility hypothesis through prototyping or benchmarking to produce evidence-based findings.

How do I run a feasibility study to reduce technical risk?

Execute a time-boxed investigation to answer a specific technical question using code reading, prototyping, or benchmarking. This feasibility study evaluates your hypothesis within a defined duration and generates a findings artifact with a clear recommendation.

Can I evaluate technology selection and prototype performance within a time-box?

Yes, you can evaluate technology selection and prototype performance within a defined time-box. The investigation applies to pre-implementation uncertainty by measuring performance and comparing migration paths to produce grounded, actionable findings.

What is the best way to document a benchmarking study for a migration path comparison?

The best way to document a benchmarking study is to produce an evidence-based findings artifact. This artifact captures the goal, approach, evidence, recommendation to proceed or pivot, confidence level, and optional promotion to planning or learnings workflows.

How do I promote feasibility study findings into planning and queue workflows?

You promote feasibility study findings by using the actionable promotion workflow. This optionally converts the evidence-based recommendation into planning items, queue work, institutional learnings, and creates backlog items when supported.

When should I not use a time-boxed investigation for prototype evaluation?

You should not use a time-boxed investigation when pre-implementation uncertainty is absent. If the technical question is already answered or requires no technology selection, performance measurement, or migration path comparison, a spike investigation is unnecessary.