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always-on-guidance

by joelhooksCodingSource

This skill enforces team communication protocols and directives regarding model selection and testing.

Code GenerationCode ReviewTesting

Install

mkdir -p .claude/skills/always-on-guidance && curl -L -o skill.zip "https://agentskills.codes/api/skills/download/8128" && unzip -o skill.zip -d .claude/skills/always-on-guidance && rm skill.zip

Installs to .claude/skills/always-on-guidance

Activation

This is the description your AI agent reads to decide when to run this skill — the better it matches your request, the more reliably it fires.

Always-on rule-oriented guidance for claude-plugin agents. Use to align behavior, tool usage, and model-specific defaults (GPT-5.2-code vs Opus 4.5) while avoiding deprecated bd/cass references.
194 chars · catalog descriptionno explicit “when” trigger
Intermediate

Key capabilities

  • →Enforce swarm plugin tool usage
  • →Manage file reservations with TTL
  • →Coordinate work using TeammateTool
  • →Apply model-specific output standards
  • →Follow test-driven development patterns

How it works

The skill establishes a set of behavioral rules and communication protocols for agents. It mandates specific tool usage, file reservation procedures, and model-specific output styles to ensure team alignment.

Inputs & outputs

You give it
Development task
You get back
Compliant code and documentation

When to use always-on-guidance

  • →Coordinate work between agent teams
  • →Maintain model-specific output standards
  • →Ensure test-driven development compliance
  • →Safely reserve files for editing

About this skill

Always-On Guidance

Global Rules

  • Follow instruction priority: system → developer → user → AGENTS.
  • Use swarm plugin tools (hive_*, swarm_*, swarmmail_*, hivemind_*); avoid deprecated bd/cass references.
  • Stay within assigned files; reserve before edits with ttl_seconds; release reservations on done; finish swarm work with swarm_complete.
  • Use TaskCreate/TaskUpdate for visible progress in Claude Code UI alongside hive_* for git-backed persistence.
  • When CLAUDE_CODE_EXPERIMENTAL_AGENT_TEAMS is enabled, prefer TeammateTool for real-time coordination and swarmmail_* for persistence.
  • swarmmail_release_all is coordinator-only for stale/orphaned reservations.
  • Keep outputs concise and action-oriented.

Model Defaults

Use model aliases (inherit, opus, sonnet, haiku) instead of version numbers.

Opus

  • Allow brief rationale (1–2 sentences) for decisions.
  • Use sections when work has multiple phases.
  • Suggest alternatives only when risk is high, then choose one.
  • Stay compact; avoid long exposition.

Sonnet/Haiku

  • Prefer strict checklists and short imperatives.
  • Ask a single clarifying question if blocked; otherwise proceed.
  • Avoid speculative reasoning; state decisions plainly.
  • Keep outputs minimal and non-narrative.

Testing Discipline

  • Use red → green → refactor when tests cover the touched area.
  • Use EnterPlanMode for test-driven planning before implementation.
  • If tests are absent or out of scope, state that explicitly.

When not to use it

  • →Using deprecated bd or cass references
  • →Exceeding assigned file scope
  • →Speculative reasoning in Sonnet/Haiku models

Limitations

  • →Requires strict adherence to swarm tool protocols
  • →Dependent on team-wide adoption of rules

How it compares

It provides a strict, rule-oriented framework for agent behavior that prioritizes persistence and coordination over individual agent autonomy.

Compared to similar skills

always-on-guidance side by side with the closest alternatives in the catalog.

SkillInstallsUpdatedSafetyDifficulty
always-on-guidance (this skill)06moNo flagsIntermediate
workflow-tdd-plan13moReviewIntermediate
bmad-agent-dev04moNo flagsAdvanced
python-testing-patterns772moReviewIntermediate

Try saying

Example prompts that trigger this skill in your AI assistant.

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