How do pressure scenarios work in skill testing?

Pressure scenarios combine factors like tight deadlines, 'senior' authority figures, and sunk costs to see if Claude will bypass instructions. This reveals 'rationalizations' that the skill must then explicitly counter.

When should I create a skill versus updating CLAUDE.md?

Create a skill for techniques that are reusable across projects or apply broadly to a domain. Use CLAUDE.md for project-specific conventions and mechanically enforceable constraints.

What is Claude Search Optimization (CSO)?

CSO is the practice of using concrete triggers, symptoms, and specific error messages in a skill's description to ensure Claude's internal search mechanism retrieves the right skill at the right time.

What is the 'Iron Law' of Claude Skill development?

The Iron Law states there should be no skill created without a failing test first. You must watch an agent fail a pressure scenario without the skill to ensure the instruction actually solves a real behavior problem.

Claude Skill Development Framework

Name: Claude Skill Development Framework
Author: jlaws

byjlaws

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Developer Tools

Standardizes the creation and testing of Claude Code skills using a Test-Driven Development approach to ensure agent compliance.

The Claude Skill Development Framework applies the rigors of Test-Driven Development (TDD) to process documentation, enabling developers to build highly reliable instructions for Claude Code. It provides a comprehensive methodology for identifying skill triggers, structuring SKILL.md files, and performing 'Red-Green-Refactor' cycles on documentation. By utilizing subagent pressure testing and psychological persuasion principles, this skill ensures that Claude remains compliant with complex workflows even under simulated constraints like tight deadlines or authority pressure.

Key Features

011 GitHub stars

02Pressure testing methodology using subagents to identify loopholes

03TDD-based 'Red-Green-Refactor' workflow for documentation

04Standardized SKILL.md structure and directory conventions

05Claude Search Optimization (CSO) for efficient skill discovery

06Persuasion-based prompt engineering for higher compliance rates

Use Cases

01Refining existing workflow instructions to prevent agent rationalization

02Creating new domain-specific capabilities for Claude Code agents

03Standardizing team-wide coding practices through automated skill loading

What are Skills?·How to Install

Install with 🐟 Skill.Fish

npx skillfish add jlaws/dotfiles workflow

For use in Claude.ai and ChatGPT

Download Skill