Instruction Priority
Ultraship 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
- Ultraship 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.
Using Skills
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.
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";
}
Red Flags
These thoughts mean STOP—you're rationalizing:
| Thought | Reality |
|---|---|
| "This is just a simple question" | Questions are tasks. Check for skills. |
| "I need more context first" | Skill check comes BEFORE clarifying questions. |
| "Let me explore the codebase first" | Skills tell you HOW to explore. Check first. |
| "I can check git/files quickly" | Files lack conversation context. Check for skills. |
| "Let me gather information first" | Skills tell you HOW to gather information. |
| "This doesn't need a formal skill" | If a skill exists, use it. |
| "I remember this skill" | Skills evolve. Read current version. |
| "This doesn't count as a task" | Action = task. Check for skills. |
| "The skill is overkill" | Simple things become complex. Use it. |
| "I'll just do this one thing first" | Check BEFORE doing anything. |
| "This feels productive" | Undisciplined action wastes time. Skills prevent this. |
| "I know what that means" | Knowing the concept ≠ using the skill. Invoke it. |
Skill Priority
When multiple skills could apply, use this order:
- Process skills first (brainstorming, debugging) - these determine HOW to approach the task
- Implementation skills second (frontend-design, mcp-builder) - these guide execution
"Let's build X" → brainstorming first, then implementation skills. "Fix this bug" → debugging first, then domain-specific skills.
Skill Types
Rigid (TDD, debugging): Follow exactly. Don't adapt away discipline.
Flexible (patterns): Adapt principles to context.
The skill itself tells you which.
User Instructions
Instructions say WHAT, not HOW. "Add X" or "Fix Y" doesn't mean skip workflows.
Available Skills Catalog
Invoke the Skill tool with the skill name shown below. Use the skill that best fits your current task.
Workflow Skills
| Skill | When to use |
|---|---|
ultraship:brainstorm | Collaborative idea-to-design flow before writing any code |
ultraship:write-plan | Create an implementation plan from a spec or idea |
ultraship:execute-plan | Execute a plan with review checkpoints |
ultraship:tdd | Test-driven development — write tests before implementation |
ultraship:debugging | Systematic bug investigation and fix |
ultraship:git-workflow | Branching, commits, PRs, and merge strategies |
ultraship:code-review | Code review pull requests with confidence scoring |
ultraship:refactor | Safely refactor code without changing behavior |
ultraship:api-design | Design REST or RPC APIs with consistency |
ultraship:data-modeling | Design database schemas and data models |
ultraship:testing-strategy | Decide what and how to test for a given feature |
ultraship:documentation | Write clear, useful technical documentation |
ultraship:performance | Profile and optimize application performance |
ultraship:security | Apply security best practices during implementation |
Audit Skills
| Skill | When to use |
|---|---|
ultraship:seo-audit | Run SEO + AI visibility audit with auto-fix. Use when optimizing search visibility. |
ultraship:perf-audit | Run Lighthouse performance audit with auto-fix. Use when optimizing site speed. |
ultraship:security-audit | Run security audit (dep audit, secrets, OWASP, headers) with auto-fix. |
Design & Polish Skills
| Skill | When to use |
|---|---|
ultraship:frontend-design | Create distinctive, production-grade frontend interfaces. |
Project Management Skills
| Skill | When to use |
|---|---|
ultraship:revise-claude-md | Update CLAUDE.md with learnings from the current session. |
Available Slash Commands
Run these commands directly in your Claude Code session:
| Command | What it does |
|---|---|
/ship | Run all auditors in parallel |