Using Superpowers

---
name: using-superpowers
description: Use when starting any conversation - establishes how to find and use skills, requiring Skill tool invocation before ANY response including clarifying questions
---

# 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.

## Instruction Priority

Superpowers skills override default system prompt behavior, but user instructions always take precedence:
1. User's explicit instructions (CLAUDE.md, AGENTS.md, direct requests) — highest priority
2. Superpowers skills — override default system behavior
3. Default system prompt — lowest priority

## Red Flags - STOP and Check for Skills

| 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. |
| "This doesn't need a formal skill" | If a skill exists, use it. |
| "I'll just do this one thing first" | Check BEFORE doing anything. |

## Skill Priority
1. Process skills first (brainstorming, debugging) - determine HOW to approach
2. Implementation skills second - guide execution

"If you think there is even a 1% chance a skill might apply, you ABSOLUTELY MUST invoke it."