# Constraint Specification

> Defining output format, length, tone, and content boundaries within prompts.

- **Type:** Skill
- **Install:** `agentstack add skill-owl-listener-ai-design-skills-constraint-specification`
- **Verified:** Yes — security-reviewed for prompt injection and unsafe behavior
- **Seller:** [Owl-Listener](https://agentstack.voostack.com/s/owl-listener)
- **Installs:** 0
- **Category:** [Agent Skills](https://agentstack.voostack.com/c/agent-skills)
- **Latest version:** 0.1.0
- **License:** MIT
- **Upstream author:** [Owl-Listener](https://github.com/Owl-Listener)
- **Source:** https://github.com/Owl-Listener/ai-design-skills/tree/main/claude-plugin/prompt-architecture/skills/constraint-specification

## Install

```sh
agentstack add skill-owl-listener-ai-design-skills-constraint-specification
```

Requires the [AgentStack CLI](https://agentstack.voostack.com/docs/cli). Works with Claude Code, Cursor, and any MCP-compatible agent.

## About

# Constraint Specification
Constraints are the rules that shape AI output — what format to use, how long to be, what to include, what to exclude. Well-specified constraints produce predictable, useful outputs. Vague constraints produce inconsistent results.
## Types of Constraints
**Format constraints:**
- Output structure (JSON, markdown, plain text, bullet points, prose)
- Section headings and organisation
- Required fields and optional fields
- Data types and schemas
**Length constraints:**
- Word count ranges (not exact numbers — models are bad at counting)
- Section length proportions ("spend 60% on analysis, 40% on recommendations")
- Minimum and maximum bounds
- Conciseness directives ("be brief" vs. "be thorough")
**Content constraints:**
- Topics to include and exclude
- Required information elements
- Prohibited content
- Source restrictions (only use provided context, don't use external knowledge)
**Tone constraints:**
- Formality level
- Emotional register
- Audience-appropriate language
- Voice and style guidelines
**Quality constraints:**
- Accuracy requirements ("cite sources", "flag uncertainty")
- Completeness requirements ("address all aspects of the question")
- Originality requirements ("don't repeat the question back")
- Actionability requirements ("every recommendation must be implementable")
## Writing Effective Constraints
- **Be specific**: "Keep responses under 200 words" beats "be concise"
- **Prioritise**: When constraints conflict, state which wins. "Accuracy over brevity."
- **Provide examples**: Show what a constrained output looks like
- **Test boundaries**: What happens at the edge of each constraint?
- **Separate hard and soft constraints**: Hard constraints must always be met. Soft constraints are preferences.
## Constraint Interactions
Constraints interact and can conflict:
- "Be thorough" vs. "Keep it under 100 words"
- "Be creative" vs. "Follow this exact format"
- "Be helpful" vs. "Don't give medical advice"
Resolve conflicts explicitly in the prompt. Don't make the model guess which constraint takes priority.
## Design Artefacts
- Constraint specification documents per output type
- Constraint priority hierarchies
- Constraint test cases (inputs designed to stress each constraint)
- Constraint violation examples (what bad looks like)
- Constraint evolution logs (how constraints changed and why)

## Source & license

This open-source skill is cataloged on AgentStack and links to its original source — we do not rehost the code.

- **Author:** [Owl-Listener](https://github.com/Owl-Listener)
- **Source:** [Owl-Listener/ai-design-skills](https://github.com/Owl-Listener/ai-design-skills)
- **License:** MIT

Install and usage instructions live in the source repository linked above.

## Pricing

- **Free** — Free

## Security capabilities

Automated source analysis of v0.1.0 — what this tool can access:

- **Network access:** no
- **Filesystem access:** no
- **Shell / process execution:** no
- **Environment & secrets:** no
- **Dynamic code execution:** no

*"Yes" means the capability is present in the source — more access means more to trust, not that it is unsafe.*


## Versions

- **0.1.0** — security scan: passed — Imported from the upstream source.

## Links

- Listing page: https://agentstack.voostack.com/l/skill-owl-listener-ai-design-skills-constraint-specification
- Seller: https://agentstack.voostack.com/s/owl-listener
- Browse the marketplace: https://agentstack.voostack.com/browse

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Listed on AgentStack — the marketplace for AI agent skills and MCP servers. Every listing is security-reviewed. Creators keep 70%.