skills.rest
github
githubOFFICIAL
Explore all skills by this author →
WebsiteGitHub

steno-mode

Compress AI responses into shorthand notation across four configurable levels.

38.5k|4.9k|Updated Jun 11, 2025
Search Tags:#Developer productivity#concise output#token reduction#shorthand#response compression#steno mode
One-click install
npx skills add https://github.com/github/awesome-copilot --skill steno-mode
Or copy as Structured Prompt for Agent▼
Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: steno-mode
Source: https://github.com/github/awesome-copilot/tree/main/skills/steno-mode
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/github/awesome-copilot --skill steno-mode

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

What problem does it solve?

Long, verbose AI responses waste tokens and slow down reading when you only need dense technical answers. This Skill applies disciplined shorthand compression that cuts roughly 40% of response tokens while keeping code, commands, paths, and identifiers exact.

Core Features & Use Cases

  • Four Compression Levels: Choose lite, brief, court, or machine to control how aggressively prose is compressed, from tight professional sentences to maximal expert shorthand.
  • Precision-Preserving Rules: Code blocks, commands, file paths, API names, environment variables, error text, and version numbers are never compressed, so technical accuracy is retained.
  • Persistent Mode: Once enabled, compression stays active across turns and agent switches until you say "stop steno" or "normal mode".
  • Use Case: During a long debugging session, enable brief mode so every explanation, code review comment, and architecture summary arrives as dense shorthand like "State resets per req -> terminal condition never reached. Move ctr outside req scope."

Quick Start

Ask the AI to enable steno mode at the brief level and then answer your next technical question in compressed shorthand.

Frequently Asked Questions about steno-mode

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

FAQPage Schema
How do I enable shorthand compressed responses from the AI?▼

Say "steno mode", "shorthand mode", or invoke /steno to activate compressed responses. The mode stays active across turns and agent switches until you say "stop steno" or "normal mode".

How do I change the compression level in steno mode?▼

Use /steno followed by lite, brief, court, or machine to switch levels. Brief is the default, balancing shorthand symbols and readability, while machine applies maximum compression for expert users.

Does response compression affect code blocks and commands?▼

No, code blocks, commands, file paths, API names, environment variables, quoted errors, and version numbers are always kept exact. Only prose, filler words, and framing text are compressed.

When should I not use compressed shorthand responses?▼

Avoid compression for onboarding tutorials, stakeholder or customer-facing copy, empathetic communication, and teaching new concepts. For those cases, switch to lite level or turn steno mode off entirely.

How much token reduction does shorthand mode provide?▼

The shorthand approach cuts roughly 40% of response tokens by removing filler, using stable abbreviations like cfg and auth, and applying symbolic joins such as -> and =>, without sacrificing technical precision.

Related Skills

Explore More Software Engineering Skills→
ralvarezdevralvarezdev
3

caveman

Enforce terse, technically precise responses in AI conversations.

Community
Advanced
korchasakorchasa
3

flow-answer

Analyze documentation and source code to answer user questions in Autonomous Mode.

Community
Advanced
Human-Frontier-Labs-IncHuman-Frontier-Labs-Inc

Pair Programming

Runs AI-assisted pair programming sessions with role management and real-time validation.

Official
Advanced
InNoobWeTrustInNoobWeTrust
4

editorial-reviewer

Polish stakeholder-facing documents by rewriting prose and reorganizing structure.

Community
Intermediate