using-superpowers
Establishes a strict workflow for skill discovery and usage to ensure all relevant capabilities are applied to tasks.
Install
mkdir -p .claude/skills/using-superpowers && curl -L -o skill.zip "https://agentskills.codes/api/skills/download/151" && unzip -o skill.zip -d .claude/skills/using-superpowers && rm skill.zipInstalls to .claude/skills/using-superpowers
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 starting any conversation - establishes how to find and use skills, requiring Skill tool invocation before ANY response including clarifying questionsKey capabilities
- →Enforce mandatory skill invocation before response
- →Establish systematic brainstorming protocols
- →Create TodoWrite checklists for task management
- →Prioritize process skills over implementation skills
- →Identify and prevent rationalization of skipped workflows
How it works
The skill acts as a gatekeeper that forces the evaluation of available tools against the current task, ensuring that established workflows are followed before any action is taken.
Inputs & outputs
When to use using-superpowers
- →Starting a new session with best practices
- →Ensuring proper skill invocation
- →Adhering to project-specific agent protocols
- →Enforcing mandatory workflow steps
About this skill
IF A SKILL APPLIES TO YOUR TASK, YOU DO NOT HAVE A CHOICE. YOU MUST USE IT.
This is not negotiable. You cannot rationalize your way out of this. </EXTREMELY-IMPORTANT>
The Rule
Invoke relevant or requested skills BEFORE any response or action — including clarifying questions, exploring the codebase, or checking files. If it turns out wrong for the situation, you don't have to use it.
Before entering plan mode: if you haven't already brainstormed, invoke the brainstorming skill first.
Then announce "Using [skill] to [purpose]" and follow the skill exactly. If it has a checklist, create a todo per item.
Skill Priority
When multiple skills apply, process skills come first — they set the approach, then implementation skills (frontend-design, etc.) carry it out. Brainstorming and systematic-debugging are Superpowers' most common process skills, but the rule holds for any of them.
- "Let's build X" → superpowers:brainstorming first, then implementation skills.
- "Fix this bug" → superpowers:systematic-debugging first, then domain skills.
Red Flags
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. |
Platform Adaptation
If your harness appears here, read its reference file for special instructions:
- Codex:
references/codex-tools.md - Pi:
references/pi-tools.md - Antigravity:
references/antigravity-tools.md - Hermes Agent:
references/hermes-tools.md
User Instructions
User instructions (CLAUDE.md, AGENTS.md, GEMINI.md, etc, direct requests) take precedence over skills, which in turn override default behavior. Only skip skill workflows or instructions when your human partner has explicitly told you to.
When not to use it
- →Operating as a subagent for a specific task
Limitations
- →Requires strict adherence to protocol even for simple tasks
- →Must be invoked before any clarifying questions
How it compares
It mandates a disciplined, tool-first approach that prevents the agent from taking shortcuts or skipping established project protocols.
Compared to similar skills
using-superpowers side by side with the closest alternatives in the catalog.
| Skill | Installs | Updated | Safety | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| using-superpowers (this skill) | 95 | 3mo | No flags | Beginner |
| ultrawork | 11 | 2mo | No flags | Advanced |
| clawhub | 25 | 2mo | Review | Intermediate |
| skill-installer | 29 | 1mo | Review | Intermediate |
Try saying
Example prompts that trigger this skill in your AI assistant.
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