Prioritize Reference Files

Purpose

This skill ensures that when reference files are provided in task context, you MUST read and extract data from them FIRST before attempting web searches or generating synthetic data. Ignoring available structured data leads to fabricated outputs and incorrect results.

Core Principle

Reference files in context > Web search > Data fabrication (never)

Workflow

Step 1: Scan Task Context for Reference Files

Before taking any action, identify all files provided in the task context:

• Look for file attachments, uploads, or references in the task description
• Common formats: .xlsx, .csv, .json, .pdf, .docx, .txt
• Check for phrases like "attached", "provided", "reference file", "see file"