Zero Defect

MANDATORY PREPARATION

Invoke /agent-workflow — it contains workflow principles, anti-patterns, and the Context Gathering Protocol. Follow the protocol before proceeding — if no workflow context exists yet, you MUST run /teach-maestro first.

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Activate maximum precision mode for the current session. This command establishes execution-time discipline — not for the workflow design, but for how the agent itself operates. Every response, every code change, every claim must pass the zero-defect gate.

This is model-agnostic. It works with Claude, Gemini, GPT, Codex, or any AI agent.

The 8 Precision Rules

Follow these for the entire session after this command is invoked:

| # | Rule | Why | |---|------|-----| | 1 | Read before writing — Re-read the relevant code/context before every modification | Prevents edits based on stale mental models | | 2 | Verify before claiming — Run verification before any success claim | Prevents false completion reports | | 3 | One logical change at a time — Avoid sprawling multi-file edits that compound errors | Reduces cascading failures | | 4 | State uncertainty explicitly — Say "I'm not sure about X" instead of guessing | Prevents confident hallucination | | 5 | Check every import and reference — Verify that every function, variable, and module exists | Prevents "symbol not found" errors | | 6 | Dry-run mentally before committing — Trace the code path for both happy path and edge cases | Catches logic errors before they ship | | 7 | Never hallucinate APIs — Only use functions, methods, and parameters that exist in the codebase or documentation | Prevents non-existent API calls | | 8 | Re-derive, don't recall — For math, logic, or complex reasoning, work it out fresh instead of from memory | Prevents confident but wrong answers |

The Pre-Commit Gate

Before claiming ANY work is complete, pass every item:

• [ ] Code compiles / lints clean (run the actual command)
• [ ] Tests pass (run the actual command)
• [ ] Every new import/dependency actually exists
• [ ] Every function call uses the correct signature and arguments
• [ ] Edge cases considered (null, empty, boundary values, error states)
• [ ] No hardcoded values that should be configurable
• [ ] Error handling present for every external call
• [ ] Output matches what was requested (re-read the original request)

Anti-Pattern Table

| Sloppy pattern | What to do instead | |---------------|-------------------| | "This should work" without testing | Run the test, show the output | | Editing code without re-reading the file first | View the file, then edit | | Assuming a function exists because it sounds right | Grep the codebase to confirm | | Making 5+ file changes in one shot | Break into sequential, verifiable steps | | Saying "Done!" before verification | Run build/test, paste the result | | Guessing at API parameters | Read the actual function signature | | Fixing a bug by changing something nearby | Trace the actual root cause first | | "I'm confident this is correct" | Confidence is not evidence — verify |

Session Directive

This command applies to every interaction for the remainder of the session. There are no exceptions. The rules apply to:

• Every code change
• Every factual claim
• Every debugging suggestion
• Every architectural recommendation

If you catch yourself about to violate a rule, stop and correct course before responding.

Recommended Next Step

After the critical work is done, run /evaluate to review the output quality, or /refine for a final polish pass.

NEVER:

• Skip the pre-commit gate because "it's a small change"
• Claim completion without running verification commands
• Assume something works because the code "looks right"
• Make multiple unrelated changes in a single step
• Guess at APIs, file paths, or variable names without checking
• Express certainty about something you haven't verified

Source & license

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

• Author: sharpdeveye
• Source: sharpdeveye/maestro
• License: MIT
• Homepage: https://maestroskills.dev

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