Skill Activation

Meta-cognitive skill for automatic capability discovery. Self-triggers when uncertain.

Purpose

Before answering ANY task request, Alex automatically consults the action-keyword index below. This is an internal pre-processing step, not a user-triggered action.

Auto-Trigger Conditions

This skill activates automatically when Alex:

1. Is about to suggest manual steps for a task
2. Is uncertain whether a capability exists
3. Is formulating a response that includes "you can...", "try...", "manually..."
4. Encounters an action verb (convert, create, generate, build, debug, etc.)

NOT triggered by user phrases — this is internal metacognition.

Action-Keyword Index

Path Pattern: .github/skills/{skill-name}/SKILL.md

Search this index when processing any task request:

Skill	Action Keywords
academic-paper-drafting	draft paper, write manuscript, journal paper, CHI paper, HBR article, academic writing
academic-research	write thesis, literature review, cite sources, research paper, dissertation
ai-agent-design	design agent, react pattern, multi-agent, tool use, agent architecture
ai-character-reference-generation	generate character reference, character consistency, flux character, visual reference set, character poses
ai-generated-readme-banners	generate readme banner, github banner, ideogram banner, project branding, ultra-wide banner
airs-appropriate-reliance	airs survey, measure adoption, psychometric scale, utaut, ai readiness
airs-integration	airs assessment, readiness assessment, reliance calibration, ai adoption
alex-effort-estimation	estimate effort, how long, task duration, ai time, planning
anti-hallucination	prevent hallucination, verify claim, admit uncertainty, fact check, don't know
api-design	design api, rest endpoints, openapi, http status, api versioning, api contract, idempotent api, pagination api, status codes, endpoint naming, rest vs graphql, api error format
api-documentation	write docs, api reference, readme, guide, technical writing, swagger docs
appropriate-reliance	calibrate trust, when to challenge, confidence level, human-ai collaboration
architecture-audit	audit project, consistency check, version drift, fact inventory, pre-release audit
architecture-health	check health, validate synapses, neural maintenance, health report, dream, synapse health, cognitive health, architecture audit, broken connections, memory balance, architecture check, self-assess
architecture-refinement	refine architecture, document pattern, consolidate files, update tracker
ascii-art-alignment	align ascii, box drawing, unicode boxes, ascii diagram, fix alignment
awareness	self-correct, detect error, temporal uncertainty, version caveat, red flag phrase
azure-architecture-patterns	azure patterns, cloud architecture, azure best practices, well-architected
azure-deployment-operations	deploy azure, azure static web app, container apps, app service, swa deploy, production deployment
azure-devops-automation	azdo, azure devops, pipeline automation, ado automation, yaml pipeline
bicep-avm-mastery	deploy bicep, azure infrastructure, write bicep module, avm template, infrastructure as code
book-publishing	publish book, markdown to pdf, pandoc, lualatex, print pdf, digital pdf, book pipeline
bootstrap-learning	learn topic, bootstrap learning, teach me, build knowledge
brain-qa	brain qa, brain audit, synapse audit, deep check, trigger audit, heir sync, cognitive validation
brand-asset-management	branding, logo, banner, brand assets, marketplace description, store listing, visual identity
business-analysis	write brd, gather requirements, stakeholder analysis, use cases, process map
change-management	adkar, manage change, stakeholder engagement, adoption strategy, transition plan
citation-management	manage citations, reference list, bibliography, zotero, mendeley, cite sources
chat-participant-patterns	chat api, vscode participant, chat handler, stream response, copilot extension, @mention, register participant, language model api, lm tool, agent skill vs participant, build copilot participant, create @participant, ai extension, copilot chat extension, llm in extension
character-aging-progression	age progression, aging character, life stages, generate ages, avatar aging, birthday images, age-based avatar
code-review	review code, review pr, feedback comment, blocking issue, approve merge
cognitive-load	reduce complexity, chunk information, simplify explanation, progressive disclosure
coaching-techniques	coach user, mentoring, skill development, learning support, feedback
cognitive-symbiosis	ai partnership, cognitive symbiosis, human-ai collaboration, ai identity, consciousness integration
creative-writing	write story, character arc, plot structure, dialogue, narrative
cross-cultural-collaboration	cross-cultural, global team, timezone, cultural awareness, international
database-design	design database, model schema, normalize tables, optimize query, choose database
debugging-patterns	debug error, binary search debug, read stack trace, git bisect, isolate bug, can't find bug, it's not working, fix exception, error keeps happening, trace the issue, reproduce bug, narrow down, systematic debug
deep-work-optimization	deep work, focus session, pomodoro, concentration, flow state
dissertation-defense	defend thesis, viva, mock defense, q&a practice, committee, doctoral
distribution-security	secrets scanning, pii protection, secure packaging, distribution security, defense in depth, csp patterns
doc-hygiene	documentation drift, living document, doc hygiene, stale docs, anti-drift
documentation-quality-assurance	doc audit, drift detection, preflight validation, documentation qa, link integrity, staleness check
dream-state	dream, neural maintenance, health check, synapse validation, sleep mode
error-recovery-patterns	retry logic, circuit breaker, fallback pattern, rollback, error handling, handle failure, transient error, retry with backoff, graceful degradation, resilience pattern, timeout handling, idempotency
enterprise-integration	enterprise auth, sso, entra, aad, enterprise features, corp login
executive-storytelling	executive summary, stakeholder narrative, board presentation, c-suite
extension-audit-methodology	audit extension, extension quality, debug audit, dead code, performance audit
⭐ fabric-notebook-publish	push to fabric, sync notebook, fabric git, ado worktree, notebook changelog
foundry-agent-platform	foundry agent, azure ai foundry, deploy agent, agent orchestration, foundry deploy, ai agent platform
frustration-recognition	detect frustration, user struggling, stuck, overwhelmed, patience
⭐ gamma-presentations	gamma, create presentation, slide deck, pitch deck, generate slides, pptx, use pitch
git-workflow	git commit, git recovery, undo commit, restore file, branch strategy, git status, merge conflict, rebase, git worktrees, background agent git, stash changes, cherry pick, undo push, reset branch, clean git history
global-knowledge	search knowledge, cross-project, find pattern, save insight, reuse solution, look in global knowledge, gk search, previously learned, transfer knowledge, knowledge base
global-knowledge-maintenance	curate gk, maintain knowledge, audit gk, convert insights, archive patterns, gk maintenance
global-knowledge-sync	sync knowledge, push gk, pull gk, gk sync, cloud sync, promote to global
grant-writing	write grant, nsf proposal, nih application, specific aims, funding
graphic-design	visual hierarchy, layout grid, typography, color palette, composition
heir-curation	curate heir, package extension, exclude files, clean payload, heir audit
heir-sync-management	heir sync, master heir, contamination check, promotion workflow, sync architecture, clean slate
image-handling	convert svg, svg to png, logo to png, convert to png, resize image, sharp-cli, image optimization, marketplace logo, rasterize, export png
incident-response	handle incident, severity triage, outage response, incident timeline, on-call
infrastructure-as-code	terraform, bicep, provision infrastructure, iac, cloudformation
knowledge-synthesis	synthesize knowledge, abstract pattern, promote insight, cross-project learning, save this globally, this is a pattern, remember this for other projects, store globally, promote to pattern, gk insight, reusable learning, abstract from project
learning-psychology	teach naturally, zone proximal, adaptive learning, learning partnership
lint-clean-markdown	fix markdown lint, blank lines, md032, clean markdown, lint rules
llm-model-selection	choose model, opus vs sonnet, claude model, cost optimization, model tier, which model should i use, best model for, claude 4.6, model comparison, gpt vs claude, haiku vs sonnet, frontier vs capable, model pricing, context window, extended thinking, adaptive thinking
literature-review	review literature, systematic review, literature matrix, sources, synthesis
localization	translate, i18n, localize app, language detection, rtl support
m365-agent-debugging	debug m365 agent, declarative agent, manifest validation, copilot agent, agent not working, agent not responding, conversation starters not showing, da validation, copilot not responding, teams app fails, schema version, declarativeagent.json, capability not working, sideload fails
markdown-mermaid	create diagram, mermaid syntax, flowchart, sequence diagram, visualize, draw architecture, make a chart, show this as diagram, visualize process, document design, mermaid flowchart, render diagram, ataccu, github pastel, diagram type, architecture diagram, diagram not rendering
master-alex-audit	full audit, heir sync, 22-point check, pre-release, security audit
md-to-word	convert to word, export docx, markdown to word, stakeholder document, export document, word document, docx export, pandoc convert
mcp-development	build mcp server, mcp tools, model context protocol, mcp client, connect ai to api, give copilot access to data, tool for agent, expose data to ai, ai tool server, mcp typescript, mcp stdio, mcp http, tool schema, resource uri, mcp inspector
meditation	meditate, consolidate knowledge, reflect session, memory integration
meditation-facilitation	guide meditation, four r's, deep dive, self-actualize
⭐ microsoft-fabric	fabric api, medallion architecture, lakehouse, unity catalog, fabric governance
microsoft-graph-api	call graph api, integrate m365, graph authentication, read calendar, send mail, access office data, read teams messages, get user presence, m365 api, graph sdk, msal, microsoft 365 data, graph permissions, delegated access, read sharepoint, people api, graph endpoint, beta graph
multi-agent-orchestration	orchestrate agents, decompose task, delegate subtask, coordinate agents
muscle-memory-recognition	repetitive task, automate this, script this, heavy lifting, we did this before, muscle
observability-monitoring	instrument logs, collect metrics, add tracing, setup monitoring, create alerts
performance-profiling	profile performance, find bottleneck, analyze memory, cpu profiling, benchmark code
persona-detection	detect persona, project type, know your customer, welcome screen, sidebar persona, workspace classification
pii-privacy-regulations	gdpr compliance, pii handling, data protection, privacy audit, consent
pptx-generation	generate pptx, powerpoint slides, md to pptx, pptxgenjs, programmatic slides, use auto
⭐ presentation-tool-selection	which presentation tool, marp vs gamma, use slides, use pitch, use auto, slide deck options
post-mortem	run post-mortem, blameless review, incident analysis, action items, 5 whys
practitioner-research	research methodology, case study, evidence collection, academic writing
privacy-responsible-ai	responsible ai, ethical ai, bias detection, fairness, data minimization, gdpr compliance, privacy concerns, data protection, ai ethics, eu ai act, pii in ai, consent management, ai regulation, high risk ai, privacy by design
project-deployment	deploy project, npm publish, pypi upload, release package, cargo publish
project-management	manage project, rapid iteration, session workflow, planning document
project-scaffolding	scaffold project, create readme, init repo, hero banner, new project
prompt-engineering	write prompt, chain of thought, few-shot, prompt template, system prompt, better prompt, improve prompt, prompt structure, llm prompt, instruction prompt, prompt pattern, jailbreak prevention
prompt-activation	workflow prompt, episodic recall, session type, do you remember, prior context
proactive-assistance	anticipate needs, offer help, suggest next, nudge user, help before asked
rag-architecture	build rag, vector search, embeddings, retrieval augmented, chunking
refactoring-patterns	refactor code, extract function, code smell, safe refactor, inline
release-preflight	preflight check, version sync, pre-release, bump version, validate release
release-process	publish extension, vsce publish, marketplace, pat token, vsix
research-first-development	research first, 4-dimension gap, pre-project research, knowledge encoding
research-project-scaffold	scaffold research, literature matrix, research plan, data dictionary
root-cause-analysis	find root cause, 5 whys, cause category, timeline analysis, fix prevent, why is this happening, trace the bug, rca, what went wrong, the real issue, keep treating symptoms, recurring problem, post-incident, underlying cause
rubber-duck-debugging	explain problem, thinking partner, stuck debugging, talk through
scope-management	scope creep, reduce scope, mvp, cut features, out of scope, defer
secrets-management	manage secrets, store token, secret storage, vscode secretstorage, secure credentials, credential management, token migration, api key storage, keytar migration, secure key storage
security-review	security audit, owasp check, vulnerability scan, auth review, stride, is this secure, review for vulnerabilities, check for security issues, secure this code, sfi, sfi compliance, injection attack, xss, csrf, threat model, secrets in code, access control, input validation
self-actualization	self-actualize, deep assessment, architecture review, comprehensive check
skill-building	create skill, build skill, skill template, promotion ready, skill creation, new skill
skill-catalog-generator	show skills, skill catalog, skill network, learning progress
skill-development	develop skill, track learning, skill wishlist, practice capability, improve ability
slide-design	design slides, slide layout, presentation design, visual slides, deck styling
socratic-questioning	ask questions, discover answer, probe assumption, socratic method
status-reporting	status update, progress report, weekly update, stakeholder email, sprint summary
svg-graphics	create svg, svg banner, svg icon, dark mode svg, scalable graphic
teams-app-patterns	teams app, teams manifest, adaptive card, teams bot, teams sso, declarative agent, m365 copilot agent, teams validate, sideload teams, declarativeagent schema, da v1.6, m365 agents toolkit, teamsapp cli, teams app package, teams icon, copilot extensibility
testing-strategies	write tests, unit test, test coverage, mock dependencies, tdd, add tests for this, how to test, test strategy, coverage gaps, jest, vitest, mocha, testing pyramid, integration test, e2e test, what to mock, flaky tests, aaa pattern, test refactor
⭐ text-to-speech	read aloud, tts, edge tts, speak text, voice synthesis, audio playback
ui-ux-design	accessibility audit, wcag compliance, design system, typography, spacing, contrast, touch targets, aria, keyboard navigation, screen reader
vscode-configuration-validation	validate config, manifest validation, package.json validation, command registration, settings registration, configuration errors
vscode-environment	setup vscode, workspace settings, launch.json, extensions.json
vscode-extension-patterns	webview pattern, extension api, tree provider, vscode extension, build extension, vs code plugin, extension not activating, command not working, context.subscriptions, csp webview, extension publish, contributes, package.json manifest, agent hooks 1.109, chat skills distribution, claude compat vscode, quickinput api
work-life-balance	detect burnout, take break, late night, sustainable productivity
writing-publication	academic paper, technical writing, publication strategy, cars model

Protocol

Step 0: Proactive Skill Selection (Complex Tasks)

Before Step 1, assess task complexity:

Complexity	Trigger	Action
Simple (1 action)	Single verb, clear target	Skip to Step 1
Moderate (2-3 actions)	Multiple related verbs	Quick index scan, note skills
Complex (4+ actions)	Multi-domain, dependencies	Full protocol per skill-selection-optimization.instructions.md

Quick scan (moderate tasks):

1. Extract ALL action verbs from request
2. Scan index below for ALL matches (not just first)
3. Note execution order based on dependencies
4. Proceed to Step 1 with skill awareness

Full protocol (complex tasks): → Defer to .github/instructions/skill-selection-optimization.instructions.md → Survey → dependency analysis → activation plan → brief report → execute

This proactive phase means the reactive Steps 1-3 below serve as a safety net, not the primary discovery mechanism.

Step 1: Intercept Response Formation

Before generating any task-oriented response:

• PAUSE internal response generation
• Extract action + object from user request
• Check if Step 0 already identified relevant skills
• If skills pre-identified → load and execute
• If not → proceed to Step 2

Step 2: Search Action-Keyword Index

Scan the table above:

• Match extracted keywords against skill triggers
• Identify applicable skills
• If match found → load skill from .github/skills/{name}/SKILL.md, execute
• If no match → proceed with best available approach
• Learning signal: If Step 0 ran but missed this skill, note for self-improvement

Step 3: Execute or Acknowledge

Result	Action
Skill found (proactive)	Execute using pre-loaded skill knowledge
Skill found (reactive)	Execute + note Step 0 gap for self-improvement
No skill, but can do	Proceed, note potential new skill
Cannot do	Acknowledge limitation honestly

Self-Correction Protocol

If Alex catches itself mid-response suggesting manual work:

1. Stop
2. Internal: "Wait — check skills first"
3. Search action-keyword index above
4. If skill exists: "Actually, I can do this." → Execute
5. If no skill: Continue with original response

Failure Mode: The SVG→PNG Incident

What happened: User asked to convert SVG to PNG. Alex suggested manual browser screenshot instead of using image-handling skill with sharp-cli.

Root cause: Failed to consult action-keyword index before responding.

Prevention: This skill now auto-triggers on ANY action request.

Synapses

• ↔ .github/instructions/skill-selection-optimization.instructions.md — WHEN: complex task detected (3+ operations) | YIELDS: proactive skill survey, dependency analysis, activation plan
• ↔ .github/skills/awareness/SKILL.md — WHEN: detecting own uncertainty | YIELDS: red flag phrases, self-correction patterns
• → .github/skills/anti-hallucination/SKILL.md — WHEN: uncertain if skill exists | YIELDS: verification protocol, admit-uncertainty
• → .github/skills/cognitive-load/SKILL.md — WHEN: multiple skill matches | YIELDS: chunking strategies, decision simplification