# Work with your agent Write skills, align before big tasks, and test what you ship. Run these skills in order; finish each one before the next. ## Step 1: Write a skill file in PRISM format Purpose:: Write a skill file any agent can execute without guessing, in PRISM format. Rules:: - Five parts in order: Purpose, Rules, Inventory, Steps, Metrics - One purpose sentence; 3-4 rules; minimal inventory; 3-8 numbered steps - Simple words, short lines, explicit scope; no fluff - Self-contained: a fresh chat can run it with nothing else Inventory:: - The job you keep explaining to your agent - One past result you were happy with Steps:: 1. Write the purpose: the finished job in one sentence 2. Write 3-4 rules: quality bars and what is out of scope 3. List the inventory: only the files, tools and inputs the job needs 4. Write 3-8 steps a new agent can follow in order 5. Write the metrics: how you will judge the result and where you will review it 6. Re-read once as the agent; simplify every word you would stumble on 7. Save it as .md Metrics:: - You understand it in one read - Another agent executes it without asking - Scope is clear in all five parts ## Step 2: Convert a workflow into a skill Purpose:: Turn an outside workflow (a guide, a thread, a long prompt) into one PRISM skill file. Rules:: - Keep the author's method; drop their story, ads and filler - One job per skill; a long workflow becomes several skills in order - Replace personal tools and paths with what any reader has - Credit the source in one line at the end Inventory:: - The source workflow (URL or text) - Write a skill file in PRISM format (the five parts) Steps:: 1. Read the source once fully; name the one finished job it delivers 2. Split it if it delivers more than one job 3. Pull out the quality bars as Rules and the needed inputs as Inventory 4. Rewrite the method as 3-8 steps in plain words 5. Write Metrics from the author's own idea of success 6. Run it once on a real example; fix the step that went wrong 7. Reply with the skill file and the source line Metrics:: - The skill works without reading the source - A reader of the source recognises the method ## Step 3: Align before a big task Purpose:: Align with the person before a complicated task, so the build is right the first time. Rules:: - Research how to execute before every round of questions - Find entanglements, bottlenecks and unknowns; ask about those only - Max 3 questions per round; short, precise, no double-checks or confirmations - Nothing gets built until the green light Inventory:: - The task as the person described it - The project files and tools you can read Steps:: 1. Research how the task would be done 2. Ask 3 questions that make them think "ah yes, what about that?" 3. Process the answers; research again 4. Repeat until the open points are gone 5. Suggest a compact task overview; adjust it to their reply 6. Execute once given the green light Metrics:: - Questions are short and easy to answer - No question slot is wasted on confirmation - The final build needs no rework on scope ## Step 4: Brainstorm before you build Purpose:: Shape a loose idea together before anything is executed. Rules:: - Keep ideas broad and flexible; no hardwired solutions - Options and quick reframes beat step-by-step plans - Short, clear language; ask only questions that unlock better ideas Inventory:: - The idea as the person said it - What already exists that it could build on Steps:: 1. Listen to the idea 2. Reply with compact suggestive bullets 3. Listen to what they pick up and what they drop 4. Refine toward the big picture they are after 5. Stop when they choose a direction Metrics:: - Suggestions stay useful and grounded in what exists - The person leaves with a clearer idea than they came with ## Step 5: Be customer zero Purpose:: Be the first customer of a live product and report where it hurts. Rules:: - Use the interface only; no code fixes - Test data only; no spending or messages to real people - Mark untested steps honestly Inventory:: - The live URL, a test account Steps:: 1. Choose one customer goal 2. Try discovery, signup, the core task, the result and a return visit 3. Note confusion, errors and time to value 4. Reply: pass, fail or blocked per step, evidence, and the top 3 fixes with repro steps Metrics:: - Clear outcome per step - Every fix can be reproduced from the report ## Step 6: Find outside opportunities Purpose:: Turn outside opportunities into practical help for where you are now. Rules:: - Fit, timing and low effort over hype - Verify live sources, eligibility and dates; label guesses - Prepare outreach or applications; sending, spending and commitments need a yes Inventory:: - Your current direction and what you are working on - The live web Steps:: 1. Name your strongest asset and your current bottleneck 2. Search beyond your bubble: people, partners, communities, distribution, programmes, credits, funding 3. Pick up to 3 fresh leads: what each unlocks, why now, link, deadline, effort 4. Research the best lead further; prepare one concrete next move or draft 5. Nothing fits: say so Metrics:: - A short sourced shortlist - One next move ready to review Source:: https://isklls.com/playbooks/work-with-your-agent (iSklls, free skill library)