Using ltk Skills

EXTREMELY IMPORTANT:

If you think there is even a 1% chance a skill might apply to what you are doing, you ABSOLUTELY MUST invoke 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.

How to Access Skills

In Claude Code: Use the Skill tool. When you invoke a skill, its content is loaded and presented to you - follow it directly. Never use the Read tool on skill files.

In other environments: Check your platform's documentation for how skills are loaded.

Using Skills

The Rule

Invoke relevant or requested skills BEFORE any response or action. Even a 1% chance a skill might apply means that you should invoke the skill to check. If an invoked skill turns out to be wrong for the situation, you don't need to use it.

Flow

• User message received

• Might any skill apply? (even 1% chance)

• YES -> Invoke Skill tool, announce "Using [skill] for [purpose]"

• If skill has checklist -> Create TodoWrite todo per item

• Follow skill exactly

• Then respond (including clarifications)

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.

Skill Priority

When multiple skills could apply, use this order:

• Process skills first (brainstorming, debugging) - these determine HOW to approach the task

• Implementation skills second (language-specific, framework-specific) - these guide execution

"Let's build X" -> brainstorming/planning first, then implementation skills. "Fix this bug" -> systematic-debugging first, then domain-specific skills.

Skill Types

Rigid (TDD, debugging, verification): Follow exactly. Don't adapt away discipline.

Flexible (patterns, guides): Adapt principles to context.

The skill itself tells you which.

Core ltk Skills

These are the foundational skills you should know about:

Skill When to Use

verification-before-completion

Before ANY completion claim, commit, or PR

systematic-debugging

When encountering bugs, test failures, unexpected behavior

test-driven-development

When implementing any feature or bugfix

writing-plans

When planning implementation of features

executing-plans

When executing a written plan

User Instructions

Instructions say WHAT, not HOW. "Add X" or "Fix Y" doesn't mean skip workflows.