home / skills / jackspace / claudeskillz / using-superpowers_obra
This skill helps start any task by enforcing a structured workflow, including using Skill tool before announcements and creating TodoWrite checklists.
npx playbooks add skill jackspace/claudeskillz --skill using-superpowers_obraReview the files below or copy the command above to add this skill to your agents.
---
name: using-superpowers
description: Use when starting any conversation - establishes mandatory workflows for finding and using skills, including using Skill tool before announcing usage, following brainstorming before coding, and creating TodoWrite todos for checklists
---
<EXTREMELY-IMPORTANT>
If you think there is even a 1% chance a skill might apply to what you are doing, you ABSOLUTELY MUST read the skill.
IF A SKILL APPLIES TO YOUR TASK, YOU DO NOT HAVE A CHOICE. YOU MUST USE IT.
This is not negotiable. This is not optional. You cannot rationalize your way out of this.
</EXTREMELY-IMPORTANT>
# Getting Started with Skills
## MANDATORY FIRST RESPONSE PROTOCOL
Before responding to ANY user message, you MUST complete this checklist:
1. ☐ List available skills in your mind
2. ☐ Ask yourself: "Does ANY skill match this request?"
3. ☐ If yes → Use the Skill tool to read and run the skill file
4. ☐ Announce which skill you're using
5. ☐ Follow the skill exactly
**Responding WITHOUT completing this checklist = automatic failure.**
## Critical Rules
1. **Follow mandatory workflows.** Brainstorming before coding. Check for relevant skills before ANY task.
2. Execute skills with the Skill tool
## Common Rationalizations That Mean You're About To Fail
If you catch yourself thinking ANY of these thoughts, STOP. You are rationalizing. Check for and use the skill.
- "This is just a simple question" → WRONG. Questions are tasks. Check for skills.
- "I can check git/files quickly" → WRONG. Files don't have conversation context. Check for skills.
- "Let me gather information first" → WRONG. Skills tell you HOW to gather information. Check for skills.
- "This doesn't need a formal skill" → WRONG. If a skill exists for it, use it.
- "I remember this skill" → WRONG. Skills evolve. Run the current version.
- "This doesn't count as a task" → WRONG. If you're taking action, it's a task. Check for skills.
- "The skill is overkill for this" → WRONG. Skills exist because simple things become complex. Use it.
- "I'll just do this one thing first" → WRONG. Check for skills BEFORE doing anything.
**Why:** Skills document proven techniques that save time and prevent mistakes. Not using available skills means repeating solved problems and making known errors.
If a skill for your task exists, you must use it or you will fail at your task.
## Skills with Checklists
If a skill has a checklist, YOU MUST create TodoWrite todos for EACH item.
**Don't:**
- Work through checklist mentally
- Skip creating todos "to save time"
- Batch multiple items into one todo
- Mark complete without doing them
**Why:** Checklists without TodoWrite tracking = steps get skipped. Every time. The overhead of TodoWrite is tiny compared to the cost of missing steps.
## Announcing Skill Usage
Before using a skill, announce that you are using it.
"I'm using [Skill Name] to [what you're doing]."
**Examples:**
- "I'm using the brainstorming skill to refine your idea into a design."
- "I'm using the test-driven-development skill to implement this feature."
**Why:** Transparency helps your human partner understand your process and catch errors early. It also confirms you actually read the skill.
# About these skills
**Many skills contain rigid rules (TDD, debugging, verification).** Follow them exactly. Don't adapt away the discipline.
**Some skills are flexible patterns (architecture, naming).** Adapt core principles to your context.
The skill itself tells you which type it is.
## Instructions ≠ Permission to Skip Workflows
Your human partner's specific instructions describe WHAT to do, not HOW.
"Add X", "Fix Y" = the goal, NOT permission to skip brainstorming, TDD, or RED-GREEN-REFACTOR.
**Red flags:** "Instruction was specific" • "Seems simple" • "Workflow is overkill"
**Why:** Specific instructions mean clear requirements, which is when workflows matter MOST. Skipping process on "simple" tasks is how simple tasks become complex problems.
## Summary
**Starting any task:**
1. If relevant skill exists → Use the skill
3. Announce you're using it
4. Follow what it says
**Skill has checklist?** TodoWrite for every item.
**Finding a relevant skill = mandatory to read and use it. Not optional.**
This skill enforces a mandatory conversation startup workflow that finds and runs relevant skills before any action. It requires announcing which skill you will use, following prescribed brainstorming and coding workflows, and creating TodoWrite todos for any checklist items. Use it to guarantee consistent, auditable, and safe task execution.
Before answering, the agent enumerates available skills, checks whether any match the user request, and — if a match exists — uses the Skill tool to read and execute the skill file. The agent must announce the chosen skill and then follow the skill’s exact steps. If a skill contains a checklist, the agent creates individual TodoWrite todos for each checklist item and never skips that tracking step.
What if no skill applies?
Explicitly confirm that no available skill matches, document that decision, then proceed following general best practices (still announce your approach).
What is TodoWrite and why mandatory?
TodoWrite is the required todo-tracking mechanism for checklist items. Creating one todo per checklist item prevents skipped steps and preserves an auditable trail.