terse-mode

Switches session responses into a compact token-saving style until explicitly disabled.

Updated Mar 18, 2026
One-click install
npx skills add https://github.com/pgoell/pgoell-claude-tools --skill terse-mode-pgoell
Or copy as Structured Prompt for Agent
Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: terse-mode
Source: https://github.com/pgoell/pgoell-claude-tools/tree/main/plugins/deprecated/skills/terse-mode
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/pgoell/pgoell-claude-tools --skill terse-mode-pgoell

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

What problem does it solve? Long, verbose AI responses consume tokens and slow down reading when a user wants short, direct answers for an entire session. This Skill switches the assistant into a persistent compact response style on explicit request. ## Core Features & Use Cases - Session-wide terse mode: Activates only on explicit commands like "terse mode" or "token saving mode", and persists until the user says "stop terse mode" or "normal mode". - Compact response style: Uses short replies, fragments, direct verbs, and arrows while preserving code blocks, errors, file paths, and quoted text verbatim. - Clarity exceptions: Automatically expands for security warnings, destructive operations, multi-step procedures, and safety-sensitive guidance. - Use Case: A developer working through a long debugging session enables terse mode to get rapid, minimal answers, then disables it when returning to normal work. ## Quick Start Tell the assistant to enable terse mode for this session so all future responses stay compact until you say stop. Note: This Skill is deprecated and retired without replacement; the copy is archived and no longer maintained.

Frequently Asked Questions about terse-mode

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

FAQPage Schema
How do I enable terse mode in a chat session?

Say an explicit activation phrase such as "terse mode", "use terse-mode", "less tokens mode", or "token saving mode". The assistant then keeps all future responses compact until you explicitly disable it.

How do I turn off terse mode and return to normal responses?

Say "stop terse mode", "disable terse mode", "normal mode", or "use normal responses". After disabling, the assistant returns to its standard response style for subsequent turns.

Does asking to be brief activate terse mode?

No. Requests like "be brief", "make this shorter", or "summarize this" apply only to the current content. Terse mode activates only on explicit session-switch phrases such as "terse mode" or "token saving mode".

Does terse mode shorten code blocks and error messages?

No. Code blocks, exact errors, command output, file paths, and quoted text are kept unchanged. Only surrounding prose is compressed into short replies, fragments, and direct verbs.

When does terse mode expand responses instead of staying short?

It temporarily expands for security warnings, destructive or irreversible operations, multi-step procedures, and legal, medical, financial, or safety-sensitive guidance. Terse style resumes after the exception is handled.

Is the terse-mode skill still maintained?

No. The skill is deprecated and retired without replacement. The archived copy remains for reference but is no longer maintained.