Setting the file. One moment.
Subchapter 15.4
references/discovery.mdMarkdown7 KBView on GitHub
Part of superpowers:writing-skills: the SKILL.md template and how to name, describe and size a skill so agents find it and read it.
Frontmatter (YAML):
name and description (see agentskills.io/specification (opens in a new tab) for all supported fields)name: Use letters, numbers, and hyphens only (no parentheses, special chars)description: Third-person, describes ONLY when to use (NOT what it does)
---
name: Skill-Name-With-Hyphens
description: Use when [specific triggering conditions and symptoms]
---
# Skill Name
## Overview
What is this? Core principle in 1-2 sentences.
## When to Use
[Small inline flowchart IF decision non-obvious]
Bullet list with SYMPTOMS and use cases
When NOT to use
## Core Pattern (for techniques/patterns)
Before/after code comparison
## Quick Reference
Table or bullets for scanning common operations
## Implementation
Inline code for simple patterns
Link to file for heavy reference or reusable tools
## Common Mistakes
What goes wrong + fixes
## Real-World Impact (optional)
Concrete resultsCritical for discovery: Future agents need to FIND your skill
Purpose: Your agent reads the description to decide which skills to load for a given task. Make it answer: “Should I read this skill right now?”
Format: Start with “Use when…” to focus on triggering conditions
CRITICAL: Description = When to Use, NOT What the Skill Does
The description should ONLY describe triggering conditions. Do NOT summarize the skill’s process or workflow in the description.
Why this matters: Testing revealed that when a description summarizes the skill’s workflow, an agent may follow the description instead of reading the full skill content. A description saying “code review between tasks” caused an agent to do ONE review, even though the skill’s flowchart clearly showed TWO reviews (spec compliance then code quality).
When the description was changed to just “Use when executing implementation plans with independent tasks” (no workflow summary), the agent correctly read the flowchart and followed the two-stage review process.
The trap: Descriptions that summarize workflow create a shortcut agents will take. The skill body becomes documentation agents skip.
# ❌ BAD: Summarizes workflow - agents may follow this instead of reading skill
description: Use when executing plans - dispatches subagent per task with code review between tasks
# ❌ BAD: Too much process detail
description: Use for TDD - write test first, watch it fail, write minimal code, refactor
# ✅ GOOD: Just triggering conditions, no workflow summary
description: Use when executing implementation plans with independent tasks in the current session
# ✅ GOOD: Triggering conditions only
description: Use when implementing any feature or bugfix, before writing implementation codeContent:
# ❌ BAD: Too abstract, vague, doesn't include when to use
description: For async testing
# ❌ BAD: First person
description: I can help you with async tests when they're flaky
# ❌ BAD: Mentions technology but skill isn't specific to it
description: Use when tests use setTimeout/sleep and are flaky
# ✅ GOOD: Starts with "Use when", describes problem, no workflow
description: Use when tests have race conditions, timing dependencies, or pass/fail inconsistently
# ✅ GOOD: Technology-specific skill with explicit trigger
description: Use when using React Router and handling authentication redirectsUse words an agent would search for:
Use active voice, verb-first:
creating-skills not skill-creationcondition-based-waiting not async-test-helpersProblem: getting-started and frequently-referenced skills load into EVERY conversation. Every token counts.
Target word counts:
Techniques:
Move details to tool help:
# ❌ BAD: Document all flags in SKILL.md
search-conversations supports --text, --both, --after DATE, --before DATE, --limit N
# ✅ GOOD: Reference --help
search-conversations supports multiple modes and filters. Run --help for details.Use cross-references:
# ❌ BAD: Repeat workflow details
When searching, dispatch subagent with template...
[20 lines of repeated instructions]
# ✅ GOOD: Reference other skill
Always use subagents (50-100x context savings). REQUIRED: Use [other-skill-name] for workflow.Compress examples:
# ❌ BAD: Verbose example (42 words)
your human partner: "How did we handle authentication errors in React Router before?"
You: I'll search past conversations for React Router authentication patterns.
[Dispatch subagent with search query: "React Router authentication error handling 401"]
# ✅ GOOD: Minimal example (20 words)
Partner: "How did we handle auth errors in React Router?"
You: Searching...
[Dispatch subagent → synthesis]Eliminate redundancy:
Verification:
wc -w skills/path/SKILL.md
# getting-started workflows: aim for <150 each
# Other frequently-loaded: aim for <200 totalName by what you DO or core insight:
condition-based-waiting > async-test-helpersusing-skills not skill-usageflatten-with-flags > data-structure-refactoringroot-cause-tracing > debugging-techniquesGerunds (-ing) work well for processes:
creating-skills, testing-skills, debugging-with-logsWhen writing documentation that references other skills:
Use skill name only, with explicit requirement markers:
**REQUIRED SUB-SKILL:** Use superpowers:test-driven-development**REQUIRED BACKGROUND:** You MUST understand superpowers:systematic-debuggingSee skills/testing/test-driven-development (unclear if required)@skills/testing/test-driven-development/SKILL.md (force-loads, burns context)Why no @ links: @ syntax force-loads files immediately, consuming 200k+ context before you need them.