Skill Invocation Types

Audit date: 2026-06-01

Scope: all active SKILL.md files under base/ and packs/ (excluding archive/ and codex mirrors)

Purpose: classify every skill by invocation type so tools, browsers, and conventions can distinguish user entry points from agent-delegated sub-steps.

Taxonomy

Type Code Description Implicit default?
PrimaryprimaryUser invokes directly as a workflow entry point or deliberate actionYes — assumed when invocation: is absent
ChainedchainedUser invokes, but typically only after another skill recommends itNo
Sub-skillsub-skillAgent invokes automatically or via parent router; user rarely invokes directlyNo
OrchestratororchestratorCoordinates execution of other skills; user invokes to drive work forwardNo

Classification by Location

Base Skills (packs/base/claude/)

Skill Type Typical invoker Entry condition
animation-design-plannerorchestratoruserUI animation planning needed
Animation Framework Subskills
motion-framersub-skill/animation-design-planner routerMotion/Framer detected in codebase
css-transitionssub-skill/animation-design-planner routerCSS transitions/keyframes detected
gsapsub-skill/animation-design-planner routerGSAP detected in codebase
web-animations-apisub-skill/animation-design-planner routerWeb Animations API usage detected
threejssub-skill/animation-design-planner routerThree.js/R3F detected in codebase
codebase-statusprimaryuserAny time — status check
github-branchsub-skillmutation/shipping skillsIssue-backed non-primary branch must be created or adopted safely
github-issuesub-skillmutation/shipping skillsCanonical GitHub Issue must be reused or created
github-prsub-skillmutation/shipping skillsReady PR must be created/updated, or explicit merge was requested
idea-scope-briefprimaryuserNew project/concept needs scoping
init-agentic-skillsprimaryuserFirst-time machine setup
packprimaryuserPack management needed
provision-agentic-configprimaryuserProject needs CLAUDE.md/AGENTS.md
skillsprimaryuserDiscover available skills

Pack: agent-bridge

Skill Type Typical invoker Entry condition
delegateprimaryuserCross-agent delegation needed

Pack: agent-work-admin

Skill Type Typical invoker Entry condition
plan-phasesub-skill/exec, /ship, /roadmapPhase needs implementation detail; auto-invoked by exec-loop
roadmapprimaryuserSpecs exist, need phased roadmap
spec-driftchaineduser or review skillSpecs may have drifted from implementation

Pack: agentic-skills-bench

Skill Type Typical invoker Entry condition
benchmark-test-skillprimaryuserSkill needs quality/perf benchmarking
benchmark-agent-reviewchaineduser after benchmark runBenchmark outputs need subjective grading

Pack: alignment-loop

Skill Type Typical invoker Entry condition
destination-docprimaryuserNeed to define project destination
taste-calibrationprimaryuserNeed to calibrate design taste
vertical-slice-splitterprimaryuserNeed to split work into vertical slices

Pack: alignment-page-admin

Skill Type Typical invoker Entry condition
compile-central-alignmentprimaryuserAlignment pages need central compilation
upgrade-alignment-pagesprimaryuserAlignment pages need convention upgrade

Pack: interrogation-page-admin

Skill Type Typical invoker Entry condition
upgrade-interrogation-pagesprimaryuserInterrogation pages need convention upgrade

Pack: business-research

Skill Type Typical invoker Entry condition
competitive-analysisorchestratoruserMarket/competitor research framework selection + synthesis needed
customer-discoveryorchestratoruserCustomer discovery entry point
customer-feedbackchaineduser after researchCustomer language/feedback synthesis
enterprise-icpprimaryuserEnterprise multi-stakeholder ICP needed
lean-canvaschained/journey-map triggerBusiness model risk needs Lean Canvas
positioningorchestratoruserPositioning framework selection + synthesis
value-prop-canvaschained/journey-map triggerContested solution-fit needs VPC
Competitive Analysis Frameworks
porter-five-forcessub-skill/competitive-analysis routerIndustry-structure framework selected
swotsub-skill/competitive-analysis routerSWOT framework selected
strategic-group-mapsub-skill/competitive-analysis routerStrategic group mapping selected
feature-pricing-matrixsub-skill/competitive-analysis routerFeature/pricing matrix selected
Positioning Frameworks
category-designsub-skill/positioning routerPlay Bigger framework selected
jtbd-positioningsub-skill/positioning routerJTBD framework selected
moore-positioningsub-skill/positioning routerGeoffrey Moore framework selected
obviously-awesomesub-skill/positioning routerObviously Awesome framework selected
strategic-canvassub-skill/positioning routerStrategic Canvas framework selected

Pack: business-growth

Skill Type Typical invoker Entry condition
experimentprimaryuserNeed to design/track experiment
growth-modelchainedafter positioning/metricsGrowth mechanism analysis needed
gtmchainedafter positioningGo-to-market strategy needed
hook-modelchained/journey-map triggerRepeat-use product needs habit design
landing-copychainedafter positioning/gtmLanding page copy needed
metricschainedafter gtm/growth-modelSuccess metrics framework needed
monetizationchainedafter positioningPricing/packaging strategy needed
pmf-assessmentprimaryuserProduct-market fit assessment

Pack: business-ops

Skill Type Typical invoker Entry condition
assumption-trackerchainedafter experimentsAssumptions need tracking/updating
burn-rateprimaryuserFinancial burn analysis needed
cohort-reviewchainedafter metrics/launchCohort data needs review
investor-updateprimaryuserInvestor communication needed
mvp-gapchainedafter competitive-analysisMVP gap analysis needed
platform-strategychainedafter growth-modelPlatform expansion analysis
product-lineprimaryuserProduct line strategy needed
reconcile-researchchainedafter research changesResearch documents have conflicts
retroprimaryuserRetrospective needed
risk-registerprimaryuserRisk tracking needed
runway-modelchainedafter burn-rate/monetizationFinancial runway modeling
scale-auditchainedafter mvp-gapScale/enterprise readiness audit

Pack: code-debug

Skill Type Typical invoker Entry condition
debugprimaryuserBug needs investigation
investigateprimaryuserClaim needs codebase validation
traceprimaryuserRequest needs end-to-end tracing

Pack: code-maintenance

Skill Type Typical invoker Entry condition
migrateprimaryuserCode migration needed
update-packagesprimaryuserDependencies need updating

Pack: code-quality

Skill Type Typical invoker Entry condition
extract-shared-typesprimaryuserShared types need extraction
quality-sweepprimaryuserCode quality sweep needed

Pack: code-review

Skill Type Typical invoker Entry condition
dead-codeprimaryuserDead code detection needed
expert-reviewprimaryuserExpert-level code review needed
regression-checkchainedafter refactoringRegression check needed
slim-auditprimaryuserQuick code audit needed

Pack: context-transfer

Skill Type Typical invoker Entry condition
handoffprimaryuserContext transfer between sessions/agents

Pack: creator-foundation

Skill Type Typical invoker Entry condition
content-programmingprimaryuserContent strategy planning
creator-evidence-schemachainedafter creator researchEvidence schema needed
creator-metrics-reviewchainedafter video-buildCreator metrics review
creator-platform-capability-matrixprimaryuserPlatform capability analysis
creator-positioningprimaryuserCreator positioning strategy
creator-presence-dossierprimaryuserCreator presence audit
product-led-media-mapprimaryuserMedia map for product-led content
research-directory-conventionssub-skillcreator-foundation skillsResearch directory setup convention
series-specprimaryuserVideo series specification

Pack: customer-lifecycle

Skill Type Typical invoker Entry condition
conversion-mapchained/journey-map triggerConversion stage needs detail
expansion-mapchained/journey-map triggerExpansion stage needs detail
journey-mapprimaryuserCustomer journey mapping needed
lifecycle-metricschained/journey-map triggerLifecycle measurement needed
onboarding-mapchained/journey-map triggerOnboarding stage needs detail
retention-mapchained/journey-map triggerRetention stage needs detail
transaction-mapchained/journey-map triggerTransaction stage needs detail

Pack: devtool

Skill Type Typical invoker Entry condition
devtool-adoptionprimaryuserDevtool adoption strategy
devtool-docs-auditprimaryuserDeveloper docs audit
devtool-dx-journeyprimaryuserDeveloper experience analysis
devtool-integration-mapprimaryuserIntegration ecosystem mapping
devtool-monetizationprimaryuserDevtool pricing strategy
devtool-positioningprimaryuserDevtool competitive positioning
devtool-user-mapprimaryuserDevtool stakeholder mapping
devtool-workfloworchestratoruserDevtool workflow entry point

Pack: docs-health

Skill Type Typical invoker Entry condition
hygieneprimaryuserDocumentation hygiene check
reconcile-dev-docschainedafter code changesDev docs may be stale

Pack: exec-loop

Skill Type Typical invoker Entry condition
execorchestratoruserExecute next plan step
shiporchestratoruserShip current work + plan next
ship-endchained/ship or userSession wrap-up

Pack: exec-profile

Skill Type Typical invoker Entry condition
patch-exec-profilesub-skill/exec auto-invocationAgent-team phase has incomplete lane metadata

Pack: game

Skill Type Typical invoker Entry condition
game-audienceprimaryuserGame audience research
game-comparablesprimaryuserGame comparable analysis
game-core-loopprimaryuserCore loop design
game-fantasyprimaryuserPlayer fantasy exploration
game-genre-mapprimaryuserGenre landscape mapping
game-launchchainedafter game developmentLaunch planning
game-playtest-metricschainedafter prototypePlaytest metrics analysis
game-prototype-testchainedafter core-loopPrototype testing plan
game-roadmapprimaryuserGame development roadmap
game-store-page-testchainedafter game conceptStore page validation
game-workfloworchestratoruserGame development workflow entry

Pack: gitops

Skill Type Typical invoker Entry condition
commit-and-push-by-featurechainedshipping skills or userPublish validated commits on the issue-backed work branch and upsert the ready PR
syncprimaryuserPull latest + status

Pack: guided-walkthrough

Skill Type Typical invoker Entry condition
guideprimaryuserInteractive walkthrough needed
uat-guidechainedafter prototype/uatUAT walkthrough needed

Pack: knowledge-check

Skill Type Typical invoker Entry condition
quiz-meprimaryuserKnowledge quiz requested

Pack: monorepo

Skill Type Typical invoker Entry condition
affectedprimaryuserFind affected packages
mono-detectsub-skillmonorepo skillsDetect monorepo structure
mono-execorchestratoruserExecute across monorepo
mono-guardchainedafter mono changesCross-package guard check
mono-planprimaryuserPlan monorepo-scoped work
mono-shiporchestratoruserShip monorepo changes
scaffoldprimaryuserScaffold new package

Pack: product-design

Skill Type Typical invoker Entry condition
brainstormprimaryuserIdea generation needed
build-ui-screenschainedafter ui-interviewApproved UI branch needs visual screen buildout
consolidate-prototypeschainedafter ux-variations + evaluationVariations need convergence
design-systemprimaryuserDesign system needed
feature-interviewprimaryuserFeature requirements interview
logic-wiringchainedafter build-ui-screens or prototype build planClickable/state-backed prototype build needed
spec-interviewprimaryuserSpec elicitation interview
ui-interviewchainedafter ux-variationsUI detail interview
ux-variationschainedafter positioningUX variation exploration

Pack: product-testing

Skill Type Typical invoker Entry condition
dogfoodprimaryuserDogfooding session needed
uatchainedafter prototypeUser acceptance testing

Pack: project-fleet

Skill Type Typical invoker Entry condition
clone-spec-storeprimaryuserClone specs across projects
spinoff-ideaprimaryuserRepo-derived idea prompt needed for another repo
skill-inventoryprimaryuserInventory skills across fleet

Pack: release-ops

Skill Type Typical invoker Entry condition
branch-lifecycleprimaryuserBranch management needed
deploychainedafter ship/releaseDeployment needed
releaseprimaryuserRelease cut needed

Pack: remotion

Skill Type Typical invoker Entry condition
video-buildchainedafter video-scriptVideo build from approved script
video-scriptprimaryuserVideo script writing
youtube-format-researchprimaryuserYouTube format research

Pack: repo-maintenance

Skill Type Typical invoker Entry condition
bootstrap-repoprimaryuserNew repo setup
env-setupprimaryuserProject needs local env vars scaffolded

Pack: report-gen

Skill Type Typical invoker Entry condition
report-websiteprimaryuserReport needs HTML website

Pack: research-admin

Skill Type Typical invoker Entry condition
research-roadmaporchestratoruserResearch prioritization + planning

Pack: session-analytics

Skill Type Typical invoker Entry condition
analyze-sessionsprimaryuserCross-session analysis needed
prompt-history-backfillprimaryuserBackfill missing prompt logs
session-triageprimaryuserSingle session investigation

Pack: skill-dev

Skill Type Typical invoker Entry condition
create-local-skillprimaryuserCreate user-local skill
skill-interviewprimaryuserSkill requirements interview

Pack: teardown

Skill Type Typical invoker Entry condition
decommissionprimaryuserProject/feature decommission
desk-flipprimaryuserFull project teardown

Pack: website-polish

Skill Type Typical invoker Entry condition
icon-handlerprimaryuserIcon management needed

Pack: youtube-ops

Skill Type Typical invoker Entry condition
youtuberouteruserIntent-based routing to youtube-ops skills (Pattern B)
youtube-auditprimaryuserYouTube channel audit
youtube-cadence-diagnosisprimaryuserUpload cadence analysis
youtube-channel-auditprimaryuserFull channel audit
youtube-competitive-researchprimaryuserCompetitor channel research
youtube-concept-researchprimaryuserVideo concept research
youtube-derivative-cutsprimaryuserDerivative clip slate planning
youtube-description-optimizerchainedafter video publishDescription optimization
youtube-meta-researchprimaryuserCurrent YouTube meta and opportunity research
youtube-peer-benchmarkprimaryuserPeer benchmarking
youtube-portfolioprimaryuserVideo portfolio analysis
youtube-search-positioningprimaryuserSearch positioning analysis
youtube-title-thumbnail-auditchainedafter video publishTitle/thumbnail audit
youtube-vid-researchprimaryuserIndividual video research
youtube-video-auditchainedafter video publishPublished video audit
youtube-video-prelaunch-auditprimaryuserUnlisted video launch-readiness review

Summary Statistics

Type Count Percentage
Primary12067%
Chained3821%
Sub-skill137%
Orchestrator / Router169%

Sub-skills identified:

  1. plan-phase — auto-invoked by /exec and /ship
  2. patch-exec-profile — auto-invoked by /exec for agent-team phases
  3. category-design — positioning framework, invoked by /positioning router
  4. jtbd-positioning — positioning framework, invoked by /positioning router
  5. moore-positioning — positioning framework, invoked by /positioning router
  6. obviously-awesome — positioning framework, invoked by /positioning router
  7. strategic-canvas — positioning framework, invoked by /positioning router
  8. mono-detect — monorepo structure detection, invoked by other monorepo skills
  9. research-directory-conventions — directory setup, invoked by creator-foundation skills
  10. motion-framer — Motion/Framer animation guardrails, invoked by /animation-design-planner router
  11. css-transitions — CSS animation guardrails, invoked by /animation-design-planner router
  12. gsap — GSAP animation guardrails, invoked by /animation-design-planner router
  13. web-animations-api — Web Animations API guardrails, invoked by /animation-design-planner router
  14. threejs — Three.js/R3F animation guardrails, invoked by /animation-design-planner router

Orchestrators identified:

  1. exec / mono-exec — execute plan steps
  2. ship / mono-ship — ship + plan next
  3. positioning — framework selection router + synthesis (Pattern A)
  4. youtube — intent router + play composer (Pattern B)
  5. devtool-workflow — devtool development workflow (Pattern B, thin variant)
  6. game-workflow — game development workflow (Pattern B, thin variant)
  7. research-roadmap — research prioritization orchestrator
  8. animation-design-planner — animation framework detection + guardrails routing (Pattern C)

Validation

Run these to verify classification consistency:

# Check that all skills have an entry
bash scripts/skill-deps.sh --broken

# Count unique skills in this doc vs repo
grep -c '| `[a-z]' docs/skill-invocation-types.md
find . -name "SKILL.md" -not -path "*/archive/*" -not -path "*/codex/*" | wc -l