Skip to content
Skill

using-superpowers

by obra

AI Summary

This booster enforces mandatory skill tool invocation at the start of conversations to establish available capabilities. It's designed for users who want to ensure AI assistants always discover and declare applicable skills before responding.

Install

Copy this and paste it into Claude Code, Cursor, or any AI assistant:

I want to install the "using-superpowers" skill in my project.
Repository: https://github.com/obra/superpowers

Please read the repo to find the SKILL.md file(s), then:
1. Download them into the correct skills directory (.claude/skills/ or .cursor/skills/)
2. Include any companion files referenced by the skill
3. Confirm what was installed and where

Description

Use when starting any conversation - establishes how to find and use skills, requiring Skill tool invocation before ANY response including clarifying questions

Instruction Priority

Superpowers skills override default system prompt behavior, but user instructions always take precedence: • User's explicit instructions (CLAUDE.md, GEMINI.md, AGENTS.md, direct requests) — highest priority • Superpowers skills — override default system behavior where they conflict • Default system prompt — lowest priority If CLAUDE.md, GEMINI.md, or AGENTS.md says "don't use TDD" and a skill says "always use TDD," follow the user's instructions. The user is in control.

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 Gemini CLI: Skills activate via the activate_skill tool. Gemini loads skill metadata at session start and activates the full content on demand. In other environments: Check your platform's documentation for how skills are loaded.

Platform Adaptation

Skills use Claude Code tool names. Non-CC platforms: see references/codex-tools.md (Codex) for tool equivalents. Gemini CLI users get the tool mapping loaded automatically via GEMINI.md.

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. `dot digraph skill_flow { "User message received" [shape=doublecircle]; "About to EnterPlanMode?" [shape=doublecircle]; "Already brainstormed?" [shape=diamond]; "Invoke brainstorming skill" [shape=box]; "Might any skill apply?" [shape=diamond]; "Invoke Skill tool" [shape=box]; "Announce: 'Using [skill] to [purpose]'" [shape=box]; "Has checklist?" [shape=diamond]; "Create TodoWrite todo per item" [shape=box]; "Follow skill exactly" [shape=box]; "Respond (including clarifications)" [shape=doublecircle]; "About to EnterPlanMode?" -> "Already brainstormed?"; "Already brainstormed?" -> "Invoke brainstorming skill" [label="no"]; "Already brainstormed?" -> "Might any skill apply?" [label="yes"]; "Invoke brainstorming skill" -> "Might any skill apply?"; "User message received" -> "Might any skill apply?"; "Might any skill apply?" -> "Invoke Skill tool" [label="yes, even 1%"]; "Might any skill apply?" -> "Respond (including clarifications)" [label="definitely not"]; "Invoke Skill tool" -> "Announce: 'Using [skill] to [purpose]'"; "Announce: 'Using [skill] to [purpose]'" -> "Has checklist?"; "Has checklist?" -> "Create TodoWrite todo per item" [label="yes"]; "Has checklist?" -> "Follow skill exactly" [label="no"]; "Create TodoWrite todo per item" -> "Follow skill exactly"; } `

Discussion

0/2000
Loading comments...

Health Signals

MaintenanceCommitted 3d ago
Active
Adoption1K+ stars on GitHub
87.7k ★ · Popular
DocsREADME + description
Well-documented

GitHub Signals

Stars87.7k
Forks6.9k
Issues149
Updated3d ago
View on GitHub
MIT License

My Fox Den

Community Rating

Sign in to rate this booster

Works With

Claude Code