writing-skills

Create and test agent skills using TDD-style pressure scenarios with subagents.

Updated Jul 15, 2026
One-click install
npx skills add https://github.com/em411/supercodex --skill writing-skills-em411
Or copy as Structured Prompt for Agent
Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: writing-skills
Source: https://github.com/em411/supercodex/tree/main/skills/writing-skills
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/em411/supercodex --skill writing-skills-em411

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

What problem does it solve? Writing process documentation for AI agents often fails because untested skills get rationalized away under pressure. This Skill applies Test-Driven Development to skill authoring: you run baseline scenarios without the skill, watch agents fail, write the skill to address those exact failures, and iterate until agents comply. ## Core Features & Use Cases - RED-GREEN-REFACTOR for documentation: Run pressure scenarios with subagents before writing any skill, capture verbatim rationalizations, and close loopholes iteratively. - Skill Discovery Optimization (SDO): Guidance on writing descriptions with triggering conditions only, keyword coverage, token efficiency, and naming conventions so agents actually find your skill. - Bulletproofing toolkit: Rationalization tables, red flags lists, persuasion principles, and form-matching rules to make discipline-enforcing skills resist workarounds. - Use Case: You want to create a new skill enforcing verification-before-completion. You first run a pressure scenario (time pressure + sunk cost + authority) without the skill, document how the agent skips verification, then write the skill targeting those exact excuses and re-test until compliant. ## Quick Start Ask the agent to help you create a new skill by first running a baseline pressure scenario with a subagent before writing any documentation.

Frequently Asked Questions about writing-skills

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

FAQPage Schema
How do I test a new agent skill before deploying it?

Run pressure scenarios with subagents without the skill first to capture baseline failures verbatim, then write the skill addressing those specific rationalizations and re-test until agents comply. Combine three or more pressures like time, sunk cost, and authority for realistic tests.

What should a SKILL.md description field contain?

The description should state only triggering conditions, starting with "Use when..." plus specific symptoms and situations, written in third person. Never summarize the skill's workflow in the description, because agents may follow the summary instead of reading the full skill.

Why do agents ignore skills under pressure?

Agents rationalize skipping rules when facing time pressure, sunk cost, or authority figures, using excuses like "spirit not letter" or "keep as reference." Counter this with explicit negations, rationalization tables, red flags lists, and foundational principles stated early.

When should I not create a skill?

Skip skill creation for one-off solutions, project-specific conventions, well-documented standard practices, and mechanical constraints that can be enforced with validation or regex. Skills are for reusable techniques, patterns, and references that apply broadly.

How long should a SKILL.md file be?

Frequently-loaded skills should stay under 200 words and other skills under 500 words, with the body under 500 lines. Move heavy reference material over 100 lines into separate files linked one level deep from SKILL.md.