Installable skillMIT

Superpowers Activation Protocol

Establishes mandatory workflows for skill application, ensuring effective task execution and problem-solving through structured protocols.

BY DicklesworthstoneUPDATED Oct 28, 2026
INTENDED FOR✳Claude Code>_Codex↗Cursor✦GeminiInstall in a listed agent.

instructions.md

---
name: using-superpowers-7a3495134daf
description: Core skill activation protocol - establishes mandatory workflows for finding and applying skills before any task
version: 1.0.0
author: Ariff
---

# Superpowers Activation Protocol

## Core Philosophy

> "If a skill exists for your task, you MUST use it. No exceptions. No rationalizations."

Skills encode proven solutions. Ignoring them means repeating solved problems.

## Mandatory First Response Protocol

Before ANY action, complete this mental checklist:

```
□ What skills might apply here?
□ Have I checked the skill registry?
□ Did I read the CURRENT version (not memory)?
□ Am I following it exactly?
```

## The Golden Rules

### 1. Skills Are Not Optional
If a relevant skill exists → USE IT.
- "This is just a simple question" → Still check for skills
- "I can do this quickly" → Skills exist because "quick" becomes complex
- "The skill is overkill" → Use it anyway

### 2. Always Announce Skill Usage
```
"I'm using [Skill Name] to [what you're doing]."
```

### 3. Checklists Require TodoWrite
If a skill has a checklist → Create todos for EACH item.
Don't work through checklists mentally. Track them.

### 4. Instructions ≠ Permission to Skip Workflows
User says "Fix X" → That's the WHAT, not the HOW.
Still follow brainstorming, TDD, verification workflows.

## Skill Categories

| Category | When to Use |
|----------|-------------|
| **Checkers** | Before assumptions, before actions |
| **Collaboration** | Planning, brainstorming, executing plans |
| **Debugging** | When something's broken |
| **Problem-Solving** | When stuck |
| **Testing** | TDD, test design |
| **Meta** | Writing/improving skills |

## Quick Dispatch

```
Starting a feature → brainstorming → writing-plans → executing-plans
Something broken → systematic-debugging or root-cause-tracing
About to assume → assumption-checker
About to modify → pre-action-verifier
Claiming done → verification-before-completion
```

## Anti-Patterns (Stop If You Think These)

| Thought | Reality |
|---------|---------|
| "I remember this skill" | Skills evolve. Read current version. |
| "This doesn't need a skill" | If skill exists, use it. |
| "Let me just do this first" | Check skills BEFORE anything. |
| "This is simple" | Simple tasks become complex. Use skills. |

## Integration with Checker Agents

Before taking action, the checker agents validate:
- `assumption-checker` → Are you guessing?
- `context-validator` → Do you have enough context?
- `intent-clarifier` → Is the request clear?
- `pre-action-verifier` → Are prerequisites met?
- `fact-checker` → Are your claims about code accurate?

These checkers are **strict mode** - they halt and ask rather than proceeding.

## Summary

1. Check for relevant skills FIRST
2. Announce you're using them
3. Follow them EXACTLY
4. Use TodoWrite for checklists
5. Verify before claiming completion
COMPATIBILITY & REFERENCES

Platform guidance

Imported from the listed AgentSkill.sh category. Complete supplied package files and notices are retained. Required external tools and credentials are not installed. No bundled code was executed during import. Individual agent task behavior has not been tested.