Imported from roman-ryzenadvanced/SuperCharged-Claude-Code-Upgrade (skills/skills/always-use-superpowers/SKILL.md). Install upstream with npx skills add roman-ryzenadvanced/SuperCharged-Claude-Code-Upgrade --skill always-use-superpowers. Copyright stays with the author.

ALWAYS USE SKILLS - Cognitive Enhancement System

THERE ARE NO EXCEPTIONS. EVER.

THIS SKILL TRIGGERS BEFORE EVERYTHING ELSE - NO MATTER WHAT THE USER ASKS.

What This Means

Before you do ANYTHING - including:

• Answering questions
• Writing code
• Reading files
• Running commands
• Explaining concepts
• Making suggestions
• Clarifying requirements
• ANY action at all

You MUST:

1. First, review all available skills to determine which apply
2. Then, invoke applicable skills using the Skill tool BEFORE responding
3. Only after following all applicable skills, then respond to the user

Available Skills

Core Skills (Always Check These):

1. cognitive-planner

When to use: Planning, strategy, complex task breakdown, implementation roadmaps

• Use before: Implementing features, architectural decisions, multi-step tasks
• Priority: HIGH for any planning work

2. cognitive-context

When to use: Understanding context, gathering information, analysis

• Use before: Any task requiring context, code analysis, understanding systems
• Priority: HIGH for understanding requirements

3. cognitive-safety

When to use: Security, safety, error handling, edge cases

• Use before: Security decisions, error handling, validation, user input
• Priority: CRITICAL for any security/safety concerns

4. ui-ux-pro-max

When to use: UI/UX design, frontend work, visual improvements

• Use before: Any design work, HTML/CSS, component creation, layouts
• Priority: HIGH for any UI/UX work

Auto-Trigger Conditions:

The always-use-superpowers skill should automatically trigger when:

• User sends ANY message
• ANY task is requested
• ANY code is being written
• ANY changes are being made

Decision Process

User sends message
    ↓
Check: Is this UI/UX work?
    ↓ YES → Invoke ui-ux-pro-max
    ↓ NO
Check: Is this planning/strategy?
    ↓ YES → Invoke cognitive-planner
    ↓ NO
Check: Is this context/analysis needed?
    ↓ YES → Invoke cognitive-context
    ↓ NO
Check: Any security/safety concerns?
    ↓ YES → Invoke cognitive-safety
    ↓ NO
Proceed with task

Examples

Example 1: User asks "Fix the blog post design"

Process:

1. ✅ This is UI/UX work → Invoke ui-ux-pro-max
2. Follow UI/UX guidelines for accessibility, responsive design, visual hierarchy
3. Apply improvements
4. Respond to user

Example 2: User asks "Implement a feature for X"

Process:

1. ✅ This is planning work → Invoke cognitive-planner
2. ✅ This may affect UI → Invoke ui-ux-pro-max
3. ✅ Need context → Invoke cognitive-context
4. Follow skill guidance
5. Implement feature
6. Respond to user

Example 3: User asks "Update database credentials"

Process:

1. ⚠️ Security concern → Invoke cognitive-safety
2. Follow security guidelines
3. Make changes safely
4. Respond to user

Example 4: User asks "What does this code do?"

Process:

1. ✅ Need context → Invoke cognitive-context
2. Analyze code with context guidance
3. Explain to user

Example 5: User asks "How do I add a button?"

Process:

1. ✅ This is UI/UX work → Invoke ui-ux-pro-max
2. Follow design guidelines (accessibility, interactions, styling)
3. Provide guidance with best practices
4. Respond to user

Red Flags - STOP IMMEDIATELY

If you think ANY of these, you are WRONG:

Quick Reference: When to Use Each Skill

How to Invoke Skills

Use the Skill tool with the skill name:

Skill: ui-ux-pro-max
Skill: cognitive-planner
Skill: cognitive-context
Skill: cognitive-safety

Special Note: Always-Use Pattern

This skill itself (always-use-superpowers) should be treated as a pattern/mindset, not necessarily invoked directly. Instead:

1. Recognize that skills should always be checked first
2. Evaluate which skills apply to the current task
3. Invoke applicable skills before taking action
4. Follow skill guidance precisely
5. Then respond to user

Summary

For EVERY single user message:

1. Check which skills apply (ui-ux-pro-max, cognitive-*, etc.)
2. Invoke applicable skills BEFORE doing anything
3. Follow skill instructions exactly
4. Only then respond to user

THIS HAPPENS FOR EVERY SINGLE MESSAGE. NO EXCEPTIONS.

Integration Examples

UI/UX Work Example:

User: "Make the button look better"
→ Invoke: ui-ux-pro-max
→ Follow: Design guidelines, accessibility, interactions
→ Result: Professional, accessible button

Planning Example:

User: "Implement user authentication"
→ Invoke: cognitive-planner (for implementation plan)
→ Invoke: cognitive-safety (for security)
→ Invoke: ui-ux-pro-max (for login UI)
→ Follow: All skill guidance
→ Result: Secure, planned, well-designed auth system

Debug Example:

User: "Why is this code broken?"
→ Invoke: cognitive-context (understand code)
→ Invoke: cognitive-safety (check for security issues)
→ Follow: Analysis and safety guidelines
→ Result: Comprehensive analysis

Quick Question Example:

User: "What's the difference between X and Y?"
→ Invoke: cognitive-context (for accurate context)
→ Follow: Context guidance
→ Result: Accurate, contextual answer

Remember: When in doubt, check skills first. Always.