# Forge:challenge

> Pressure-test a claim, recommendation, or assumption. Defaults to skepticism.

- **Type:** Skill
- **Install:** `agentstack add skill-thomsonreuters-claude-forge-challenge`
- **Verified:** Yes — security-reviewed for prompt injection and unsafe behavior
- **Seller:** [thomsonreuters](https://agentstack.voostack.com/s/thomsonreuters)
- **Installs:** 0
- **Category:** [Agent Skills](https://agentstack.voostack.com/c/agent-skills)
- **Latest version:** 0.1.0
- **License:** Apache-2.0
- **Upstream author:** [thomsonreuters](https://github.com/thomsonreuters)
- **Source:** https://github.com/thomsonreuters/claude-forge/tree/main/src/skills/challenge
- **Website:** https://pypi.org/project/tr-claude-forge/

## Install

```sh
agentstack add skill-thomsonreuters-claude-forge-challenge
```

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

## About

# Challenge

Pressure-test a claim, recommendation, or assumption with adversarial skepticism.

## Usage

```
/forge:challenge [claim]
```

## Arguments

| Argument | Required | Description                                                            |
| -------- | -------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| `claim`  | Optional | Statement, objection, or question to pressure-test (inferred if empty) |

---

## Execution

### Step 1: Resolve Claim

`$ARGUMENTS` is the claim to challenge. It should be a statement, objection, question, or instruction -- not a bare file
path. If it starts with `@`, strip the prefix (Claude Code file reference syntax).

If `$ARGUMENTS` is empty, infer the claim from the immediately preceding conversation context: the last recommendation,
decision, assertion, or proposed change. Only ask the user what to challenge if no prior claim is identifiable from
context.

Never ask the user to clarify if a claim was provided. If `$ARGUMENTS` contains anything, proceed immediately.

### Step 2: Challenge

This skill defaults to **skepticism, not balance**. The starting posture is adversarial: assume the claim may be wrong
and try to prove that. Only soften to a balanced conclusion if the skeptical case genuinely fails.

If the challenge starts from a neutral or symmetrical frame, it provides no value over a standard analysis. The entire
point is targeted pressure-testing.

Execute these steps:

1. **Restate the claim precisely.** What exactly is being asserted? Remove ambiguity.

2. **Assume it is wrong.** Actively search for:

   - Flaws in reasoning or hidden assumptions
   - Counterexamples from the codebase or known constraints
   - Missing edge cases or failure modes
   - Simpler alternatives that would invalidate the complexity
   - Contradictions with existing architecture or decisions

3. **Investigate the repo.** Use Read, Grep, and Glob to find evidence. Check whether the claim holds against actual
   code, tests, configuration, and documented decisions. Do not reason from first principles alone when evidence is
   available.

4. **Test the skeptical case.** Is the counterargument strong, or does it fall apart under scrutiny?

5. **If the skeptical case fails,** explain clearly why the original claim survives. This is a valid and useful outcome
   -- the claim is stronger for having been tested.

6. **Return a verdict:**

   - **Concern validated** -- the skeptical case holds; the claim has real problems
   - **Partially validated** -- some aspects hold, others don't; specific issues identified
   - **Concern not supported** -- the skeptical case failed; the claim survives scrutiny
   - **Insufficient evidence** -- cannot determine either way from available information

### Step 3: Format Output

Present the challenge as:

```
## Challenge: [restated claim]

### Skeptical Case
[The strongest argument against the claim, with evidence]

### Counter-Evidence
[What supports the claim, why the skeptical case fails (if it does)]

### Verdict: [verdict]
[1-2 sentence summary of the conclusion]
```

## Source & license

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

- **Author:** [thomsonreuters](https://github.com/thomsonreuters)
- **Source:** [thomsonreuters/claude-forge](https://github.com/thomsonreuters/claude-forge)
- **License:** Apache-2.0
- **Homepage:** https://pypi.org/project/tr-claude-forge/

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-thomsonreuters-claude-forge-challenge
- Seller: https://agentstack.voostack.com/s/thomsonreuters
- Browse the marketplace: https://agentstack.voostack.com/browse

---
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