playbook/antigravity-awesome-skills/skills/skill-writer/references/mode-selection.md

Mode Selection

Use this file first. Pick the smallest path that can satisfy the user's request.

Skill classes

• workflow-process: repeatable multi-step work where sequencing, checkpoints, and outputs matter.
• integration-documentation: using a specific API, CLI, SDK, file format, or platform.
• security-review: finding, validating, or fixing safety and security issues.
• skill-authoring: creating or improving skills, generators, templates, or skill documentation.
• generic: broad guidance where no specialized pattern fits.

Operation modes

• create: new skill folder or new supporting files.
• update: revise an existing skill without changing its core purpose.
• synthesize: build a skill from external docs, local files, examples, or multiple sources.
• iterate: improve a skill from observed outcomes, user feedback, traces, or examples.

Required paths

Mode	Read next
create	authoring-path.md, then description-optimization.md
update	authoring-path.md, then registration-validation.md
synthesize	synthesis-path.md, then authoring-path.md
iterate	iteration-path.md, then authoring-path.md

For hybrid work, run the paths in this order: synthesize, iterate, authoring, evaluation, registration.

Depth decision

• Use a lightweight pass for small copy, metadata, or reference repairs.
• Use a full synthesis pass when the skill depends on external behavior, tools, safety rules, or examples.
• Ask one concise clarification only when target audience, tool surface, or safety boundary is unknown and cannot be inferred.