Core Rule

When a task matches a skill's description, invoke the skill before responding. When in doubt, check — the cost of reading a skill that doesn't apply is one read; the cost of skipping one that does apply is rework, missed quality gates, and inconsistent output.

Skills are invoked BEFORE responding, including before asking clarifying questions. The skill may contain the right way to ask those questions.

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 other environments: Check your platform's documentation for how skills are loaded.

Using Skills