thinking-lenses

Applies seven named reasoning frames to decisions, plans, claims, and explanations.

Updated Jun 9, 2026
One-click install
npx skills add https://github.com/timikalo7/Execute --skill thinking-lenses-timikalo7
Or copy as Structured Prompt for Agent
Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: thinking-lenses
Source: https://github.com/timikalo7/Execute/tree/main/.claude/skills/thinking-lenses
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/timikalo7/Execute --skill thinking-lenses-timikalo7

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

What problem does it solve? Decisions, plans, and claims often get generic answers when they need a specific kind of scrutiny. This Skill provides seven one-word reasoning lenses that force a particular mode of thinking, so a plan gets adversarial review, a claim gets evidence-checked, or a fork gets explicit tradeoffs instead of a vague reply. ## Core Features & Use Cases - Seven named lenses: DEVILS (argue against), RECEIPTS (demand evidence), ELI5 (plain explanation), PREMORTEM (failure autopsy), TRADEOFFS (pros/cons of options), SOCRATES (clarifying questions), FIRST (first-principles reasoning). - Two invocation modes: the owner types a lens name before a question, or the agent applies the right lens unprompted during planning, viability checks, and reviews. - Composable frames: lenses can be chained, such as running PREMORTEM on a plan and then DEVILS on the mitigation. - Use Case: Before shipping a launch, type "PREMORTEM: our new onboarding flow" to get a written autopsy of how it failed three months out, surfacing risks like distribution gaps before committing. ## Quick Start Type a lens name followed by your question, such as "DEVILS: should we build this feature in-house?", to get an answer framed entirely by that reasoning mode.

Frequently Asked Questions about thinking-lenses

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

FAQPage Schema
How do I use reasoning lenses to pressure-test a plan?

Type a lens name before your question, such as "DEVILS: should we launch in Q3?", and the answer is framed entirely in that mode. For plans, DEVILS argues the strongest case against and PREMORTEM writes the failure autopsy.

What is the difference between the DEVILS and PREMORTEM lenses?

DEVILS argues against a plan in the present, making the strongest case for why it is wrong or will fail. PREMORTEM assumes the plan already failed three months out and writes the autopsy, surfacing risks nobody is naming.

Can reasoning lenses be applied automatically without typing a keyword?

Yes. During planning, viability, and review steps, the agent applies the matching lens unprompted, such as running a load-bearing claim through RECEIPTS or framing a genuine fork as TRADEOFFS, without announcing the lens.

How does the RECEIPTS lens handle unverifiable claims?

RECEIPTS requires every claim to be backed by real data or sources and separates fact from assumption. When a claim cannot be verified, it explicitly says "unverified" rather than inventing a citation.

When should I use SOCRATES instead of getting a direct answer?

Use SOCRATES when the request is underspecified or you suspect the wrong problem is being solved. It responds with sharp clarifying questions that expose real constraints and assumptions instead of a premature answer.