Formalizes the scope of a project by defining must-haves, should-haves, and non-goals.
Install
mkdir -p .claude/skills/rein-scope && curl -L -o skill.zip "https://agentskills.codes/api/skills/download/12997" && unzip -o skill.zip -d .claude/skills/rein-scope && rm skill.zipInstalls to .claude/skills/rein-scope
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.
Use when requirements are too large, contradictory, or need negotiation. Produces a scope contract with what will and will not be done.Key capabilities
- →Restate the full request as understood
- →Identify every distinct deliverable implied by the request
- →Classify each deliverable as must, should, or will not
- →State conflicts and propose resolutions with tradeoffs
- →Identify missing information to commit to the scope
- →Present a scope contract for user confirmation
How it works
The skill analyzes requirements, identifies deliverables, classifies them, resolves contradictions, and identifies missing information to produce a scope contract for user confirmation.
Inputs & outputs
When to use rein-scope
- →Clarify project scope
- →Resolve requirement conflicts
- →Define non-goals
- →Manage scope creep
About this skill
rein-scope
Use this when the work as stated is too large for a single pass, contains contradictions, or needs explicit boundaries before implementation begins.
When To Use
- The request implies more work than can be safely completed in one session
- Requirements contradict each other or contradict existing behavior
- The user asks for everything but constraints demand tradeoffs
- Scope creep is likely without an explicit boundary
When Not To Use
- The task is already well-scoped with clear acceptance criteria
- Deep-interview has already produced a spec with explicit non-goals
- The user explicitly asks to skip scoping
Steps
- Restate the full request as understood.
- Identify every distinct deliverable implied by the request.
- Classify each deliverable:
- must: required for the work to be considered complete
- should: valuable but deferrable without breaking the core intent
- will not: explicitly out of scope for this pass
- For each contradiction or tension, state the conflict and propose a resolution with tradeoffs.
- Identify what information is missing to commit to the scope.
- Present the scope contract for user confirmation before proceeding.
Output
Emit a scope contract with:
- restated request
- must / should / will-not classification
- conflicts identified and proposed resolutions
- missing information
- explicit confirmation request
Do not begin implementation until the user confirms the scope contract.
When not to use it
- →When the task is already well-scoped with clear acceptance criteria
- →When deep-interview has already produced a spec with explicit non-goals
- →When the user explicitly asks to skip scoping
Limitations
- →Does not begin implementation until the user confirms the scope contract
How it compares
This skill explicitly structures and negotiates scope boundaries with the user, including conflict resolution and classification of deliverables, which is more formal than an informal discussion.
Compared to similar skills
rein-scope side by side with the closest alternatives in the catalog.
| Skill | Installs | Updated | Safety | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| rein-scope (this skill) | 0 | 4mo | No flags | Intermediate |
| planning-with-files | 233 | 6mo | Review | Intermediate |
| trello | 41 | 2mo | Review | Beginner |
| pmbok-project-management | 38 | 9mo | No flags | Intermediate |
Try saying
Example prompts that trigger this skill in your AI assistant.
More by jstxn
View all by jstxn →You might also like
planning-with-files
davila7
Implements Manus-style file-based planning for complex tasks. Creates task_plan.md, findings.md, and progress.md. Use when starting complex multi-step tasks, research projects, or any task requiring >5 tool calls.
trello
openclaw
Manage Trello boards, lists, and cards via the Trello REST API.
pmbok-project-management
jgtolentino
Comprehensive PMP/PMBOK project management methodologies and best practices. Use this skill when users need guidance on project management processes, templates, knowledge areas, process groups, tools, techniques, or certification preparation. Covers all 10 PMBOK Knowledge Areas and 5 Process Groups with practical templates, frameworks, and industry-standard approaches. Includes risk management, stakeholder engagement, schedule management, cost control, quality assurance, and resource planning.
clickup
civitai
Interact with ClickUp tasks and documents - get task details, view comments, create and manage tasks, create and edit docs. Use when working with ClickUp task/doc URLs or IDs.
ma-playbook
alirezarezvani
M&A strategy for acquiring companies or being acquired. Due diligence, valuation, integration, and deal structure. Use when evaluating acquisitions, preparing for acquisition, M&A due diligence, integration planning, or deal negotiation.
create-plan
antinomyhq
Generate detailed implementation plans for complex tasks. Creates comprehensive strategic plans in Markdown format with objectives, step-by-step implementation tasks using checkbox format, verification criteria, risk assessments, and alternative approaches. Use when users need thorough analysis and structured planning before implementation, when breaking down complex features into actionable steps, or when they explicitly ask for a plan, roadmap, or strategy. Strictly planning-focused with no code modifications.