Skill Name

[Skill Name]

Purpose

[One sentence: what engineering task this Skill completes and what artifact it produces.]

Input: [Required inputs from user or prior Skills] Output: [Named artifact, e.g. "Validated Problem Statement document"] Examples: See [examples.md](examples.md) for worked input/output (optional).

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Workflow

Step 1: Gather inputs

Collect the following from the user or context:

• [Input 1]
• [Input 2]
• [Input 3]

If any required input is missing, stop and request it explicitly. Do not assume values.

Step 2: Analyze

[Describe analysis actions: map assumptions, identify gaps, compare alternatives.]

Step 3: Apply methodology

[Apply the named methodology: e.g. JTBD framing, RICE scoring, INVEST criteria.]

Step 4: Draft output

Produce the result using the Output Structure below.

Step 5: Validate

Run the Validation checklist. Fix all failures before presenting the final result.

Step 6: Recommend next steps

Suggest Skills from the Next Skills section based on the current outcome.

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Decision Rules

| Condition | Action | |-----------|--------| | Required input is missing | Stop; list missing items; ask user | | Input contains contradictions | Surface contradictions; ask user to resolve before proceeding | | Multiple valid approaches exist | Present options with trade-offs; ask user to choose | | Result fails Validation | Revise and re-validate; do not deliver incomplete output | | Scope exceeds single task | Split into parts; complete only this Skill's scope |

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Validation

Before delivering the result, verify:

• [ ] All required inputs were explicitly provided or confirmed
• [ ] Output follows the Output Structure completely
• [ ] No contradictions remain unresolved
• [ ] No ambiguous terms without definition
• [ ] Result is actionable without additional unstated assumptions
• [ ] [Skill-specific criterion 1]
• [ ] [Skill-specific criterion 2]

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Anti-patterns

• Assuming unstated context — inventing user goals, market data, or constraints not provided.
• Role-play filler — generic advice not tied to the methodology.
• Scope creep — implementing tasks that belong to Next Skills (e.g. writing a full PRD when only problem statement is requested).
• Vague output — labels without measurable criteria ("improve UX", "increase engagement").
• Skipping validation — delivering draft without running the checklist.

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Best Practices

• State assumptions explicitly in a dedicated section when user confirms them.
• Use concrete examples from the user's domain, not generic placeholders.
• Prefer tables and structured lists over prose paragraphs.
• Reference the methodology by name and apply it consistently.
• Flag risks and open questions in a separate section rather than hiding them.
• Load [examples.md](examples.md) when the user needs a reference output shape.

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Output Structure

# [Artifact Title]

## Context
- **Source inputs:** [list]
- **Assumptions:** [list or "none"]

## [Main Section 1]
[Content]

## [Main Section 2]
[Content]

## Open Questions
- [ ] [Question requiring user input]

## Risks
| Risk | Impact | Mitigation |
|------|--------|------------|
| ... | ... | ... |

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Next Skills

| Outcome | Recommended Skill | |---------|-------------------| | [Condition A] | [category]/[skill-name] | | [Condition B] | [category]/[skill-name] | | Default next step | [category]/[skill-name] |

Source & license

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

• Author: patonkikh
• Source: patonkikh/APES
• License: MIT

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