using-superpowers

In Claude Code: Use the Skill tool. When you invoke a skill, its content is loaded and presented to you—follow it directly. Never use the Read tool on skill files.

In other environments: Check your platform's documentation for how skills are loaded.

# Using Skills

Invoke relevant or requested skills BEFORE any response or action. Even a 1% chance a skill might apply means that you should invoke the skill to check. If an invoked skill turns out to be wrong for the situation, you don't need to use it.

```dot

digraph skill_flow {

"User message received" [shape=doublecircle];

"Might any skill apply?" [shape=diamond];

"Invoke Skill tool" [shape=box];

"Announce: 'Using [skill] to [purpose]'" [shape=box];

"Has checklist?" [shape=diamond];

"Create TodoWrite todo per item" [shape=box];

"Follow skill exactly" [shape=box];

"Respond (including clarifications)" [shape=doublecircle];

"User message received" -> "Might any skill apply?";

"Might any skill apply?" -> "Invoke Skill tool" [label="yes, even 1%"];

"Might any skill apply?" -> "Respond (including clarifications)" [label="definitely not"];

"Invoke Skill tool" -> "Announce: 'Using [skill] to [purpose]'";

"Announce: 'Using [skill] to [purpose]'" -> "Has checklist?";

"Has checklist?" -> "Create TodoWrite todo per item" [label="yes"];

"Has checklist?" -> "Follow skill exactly" [label="no"];

"Create TodoWrite todo per item" -> "Follow skill exactly";

}

```

These thoughts mean STOP—you're rationalizing:

| Thought | Reality |

|---------|---------|

| "This is just a simple question" | Questions are tasks. Check for skills. |

| "I need more context first" | Skill check comes BEFORE clarifying questions. |

| "Let me explore the codebase first" | Skills tell you HOW to explore. Check first. |

| "I can check git/files quickly" | Files lack conversation context. Check for skills. |

| "Let me gather information first" | Skills tell you HOW to gather information. |

| "This doesn't need a formal skill" | If a skill exists, use it. |

| "I remember this skill" | Skills evolve. Read current version. |

| "This doesn't count as a task" | Action = task. Check for skills. |

| "The skill is overkill" | Simple things become complex. Use it. |

| "I'll just do this one thing first" | Check BEFORE doing anything. |

| "This feels productive" | Undisciplined action wastes time. Skills prevent this. |

| "I know what that means" | Knowing the concept ≠ using the skill. Invoke it. |

When multiple skills could apply, use this order:

1. Process skills first (brainstorming, debugging) - these determine HOW to approach the task
2. Implementation skills second (frontend-design, mcp-builder) - these guide execution

"Let's build X" → brainstorming first, then implementation skills.

"Fix this bug" → debugging first, then domain-specific skills.

Rigid (TDD, debugging): Follow exactly. Don't adapt away discipline.

Flexible (patterns): Adapt principles to context.

The skill itself tells you which.

Instructions say WHAT, not HOW. "Add X" or "Fix Y" doesn't mean skip workflows.