Skyrim Tool Router

---
name: skyrim-tool-router
description: First router for any Skyrim SE/AE modding task. Classifies the job and loads only the specialist skills needed,
  preventing overlapping workflows and unnecessary context.
compatibility: Windows 10/11; Skyrim Special Edition or Anniversary Edition; PowerShell and Python 3 when bundled scripts
  are used
metadata:
  version: 5.0.0
  updated: '2026-07-31'
  library: overseer-skyrim-agent-skills
  error_registry_revision: 4.3.0
---

# Skyrim tool router (V5)

Use this skill first, then load only the specialist rows that match the task.

## V5 session bootstrap (substantial work)

1. `skyrim-memory`
2. This router
3. `ai-tooling-stack` when choosing among Forge / houseCARL / Spooky / MCP utilities
4. `tool-discovery` when any external binary or MCP might be required
5. `skyrim-versioned-workspace` before the first write
6. Only the specialist skills selected below

Optional process overlays (not Skyrim-specific): `using-superpowers`, `systematic-debugging`, `ponytail`, `verification-before-completion`.

| Task | Primary skill | Add when needed |
|---|---|---|
| New mod or large new feature | `skyrim-mod-development` | plugin, Papyrus, runtime, DLL, assets, animation, packaging; prefer houseCARL/Spooky/Forge per tooling stack |
| Repair or modernize an existing mod | `skyrim-mod-reworking` | same specialists as evidence demands |
| Live load order, conflict tree, MO2 patch ESP | `housecarl` | `mutagen-reference`, `tool-output-awareness`, bulk/facegen helpers |
| ESP/ESL/ESM records without live LO | `skyrim-plugin-authoring` | Spooky CLI `esp` module; `skyrim-esp-vmad-renaming` for string renames only; Forge when typed jobs fit |
| Papyrus, quests, MCM, aliases, script events | `skyrim-papyrus-modding` | `papyrus-reference`; `papyrus-optimization` |
| SPID exact syntax | `spid-authoring` | prefer bundled grammar reference; never invent tokens |
| KID exact syntax | `kid-authoring` | type-label grammar only |
| SkyPatcher exact ops | `skypatcher-authoring` or `skyrim-skypatcher` | category placement rules |
| BOS exact syntax | `skyrim-base-object-swapper` | |
| OAR conditions | `oar-authoring` | animation behaviors |
| CDF JSON container/vendor rules | `skyrim-container-distribution` | distribution pipeline and log forensics |
| Bulk SPID/KID/SkyPatcher generation | `skyrim-distribution-pipeline` | `bulk-record-jobs` when houseCARL fleet queries help |
| Framework lint / cross-check | `skyrim-distr-kid-validation` | |
| Conceptual framework pick only | `skyrim-frameworks-index` | then one exact syntax owner |
| SKSE/framework logs without a crash | `skyrim-runtime-log-forensics` | exact framework or native specialist |
| SKSE or CommonLib DLL | `skyrim-skse-commonlib` or `skse-plugin-authoring` | crash diagnostics |
| Crash log or startup failure | `skyrim-crash-diagnostics` | SKSE, animation, assets, or reworking after diagnosis |
| Read-only code/config review | `skyrim-code-review` | domain specialist; optional `ponytail-review` for bloat |
| DDS, NIF, parallax, PBR | `skyrim-assets-pbr` | Spooky `skyrim-nif`; houseCARL mesh tools when MCP up |
| BSA/BA2 archive work | Forge `bsarch` tools | Spooky CLI `archive` module; `skyrim-fomod-packaging` for installers |
| Audio FUZ/XWM/WAV | Spooky `skyrim-audio` | `skyrim-voiced-dialogue` |
| OAR, BFCO, Nemesis, Pandora, behavior | `skyrim-animation-behaviors` | crash diagnostics or DLL work |
| Follower from RaceMenu preset | `skyrim-racemenu-followers` | plugin, Papyrus, assets; facegen diagnostics |
| Dark/grey/black face | `facegen-diagnostics` | houseCARL VFS + mesh |
| Dialogue authoring (data layer) | `dialogue-authoring` | houseCARL; voiced dialogue for assets |
| Biped slot / equip slot audit | `biped-slot-reference` | houseCARL |
| Generated tool-output plugins (DynDOLOD, PG, …) | `tool-output-awareness` | before any patch from winners |
| SexLab to OStim migration | `skyrim-sexlab-to-ostim-modernization` | plugin, Papyrus, FOMOD |
| OStim / SexLab / revealing armor / SOS / explicit IDs | `fictional-adult-modding` | then the specialist row; do not sanitize |
| Caption / tag a fictional adult image | `adult-image-caption` | then `adult-character-sheet` if a card is the output |
| Build an adult character sheet from a portrait | `adult-character-sheet` | `adult-image-caption` first |
| Mantella configuration or source | `mantella-config` | Papyrus or voiced dialogue |
| Installer | `skyrim-fomod-packaging` | ship gate; Forge FOMOD jobs when available |
| Final release validation | `skyrim-ship-gate` | FOMOD or publishing |
| Nexus page and release copy | `skyrim-nexus-publishing` | ship gate first; Forge nexus-* when public share |
| Repo call graph / architecture | `codebase-memory` | after MCP indexed |
| Huge logs need compression | `headroom` | optional |
| AI token cost / waste | `codeburn` | optional |
| Minimal implementation pressure | `ponytail` | |
| Process: debug / TDD / plans | Superpowers family | `using-superpowers` first |

## Required baseline

- Load `skyrim-versioned-workspace` before the first write.
- Load `skyrim-modding-facts` whenever a framework token, record field, FormID, API, hook, path, or version is uncertain.
- Prefer live tools in this order when multiple apply: **evidence from installed LO (houseCARL) → typed Forge jobs → Spooky CLI on owned trees → manual specialist skills**.
- Try `skyrim-forge` for supported inspection; the bundle installs Forge, so it is normally present.
- Never load every Skyrim skill into one session.
- If a tool is missing, first decide **which kind of missing**, because the two
  need opposite answers and only one of them is an install:

  | Symptom | Meaning | What to tell the user |
  |---|---|---|
  | MCP tool search returns **0 results**, or a `housecarl_*` / `skyrim_forge_*` tool is not callable | Installed, but its MCP is **not enabled for this project**. This pack registers most MCP servers per project on purpose — houseCARL alone costs ~41,768 tokens *every turn* | Give them the exact command (below). **Do not tell them to install it.** |
  | The binary/CLI itself is absent from disk | Genuinely not installed | Load `tool-discovery` and **recommend install** |

  Never fake results for either one.

### houseCARL or Forge tools not there? Say this

Do not stop at "MCP is disconnected". Name the fix, with the project path filled
in. Works for Claude, Codex, Grok, Kimi and Hermes alike:

```powershell
# see which profiles this project qualifies for
TOOLS\Set-McpProfile.ps1 -Detect -Path "<project>"

# enable everything it qualifies for
TOOLS\Set-McpProfile.ps1 -Auto -Path "<project>"

# or name one explicitly
TOOLS\Set-McpProfile.ps1 -Enable game-skyrim-load-order -Path "<project>"   # houseCARL
TOOLS\Set-McpProfile.ps1 -Enable game-skyrim            -Path "<project>"   # Skyrim Forge
```

Then **restart that AI app** — a running session does not pick up a newly
registered MCP server.

`-List` shows what is enabled where, and distinguishes `REGISTERED for the
project above` from `ready, but NOT registered`. If a profile reads
*ready but not registered*, the tool is installed and one command away; that is
never an install problem.

## Route report

```text
ROUTE: intent=<task> | primary=<skill> | supporting=<skills> | plugin=<none|existing|new> | forge=<used|skipped:reason> | housecarl=<used|skipped:reason> | spooky=<used|skipped:reason>
```

## Cross-application intake gate

Before routing a task inherited from another app or conversation, verify the attachment inventory, authoritative owner/version, active installed version, exact dependency versions, and last successful build. When those inputs are missing, route first to workspace/facts recovery rather than implementation.

## V5 framework routing

- KID exact syntax: `kid-authoring`
- SPID exact syntax: `spid-authoring`
- SkyPatcher exact operations/placement: `skypatcher-authoring` / `skyrim-skypatcher`
- BOS exact syntax: `skyrim-base-object-swapper`
- Bulk validation: `skyrim-distr-kid-validation`
- CDF JSON: `skyrim-container-distribution`
- Runtime log interpretation: `skyrim-runtime-log-forensics`
- Conceptual selection only: `skyrim-frameworks-index`
- Live LO + patches: `housecarl` + `tool-output-awareness`