/using-ultraship

name: using-ultraship
description: Use when starting any conversation - establishes how to find and use skills, requiring Skill tool invocation before ANY response including clarifying questions

<SUBAGENT-STOP> If you were dispatched as a subagent to execute a specific task, skip this skill. </SUBAGENT-STOP>

<IMPORTANT> **Memory-first rule:** At the START of every session, read MEMORY.md, CLAUDE.md, and relevant memory files BEFORE performing any task. This ensures persistent context across sessions. Never skip this step — never claim something is missing or not done without first checking memory. Memory records can become stale, so verify against current state when acting on them. </IMPORTANT>

<IMPORTANT> When a skill is relevant to your current task, invoke it before responding. If you're unsure whether a skill applies, lean toward invoking it — skills are lightweight and you can adapt after loading. </IMPORTANT>

<IMPORTANT> **Currency-first rule:** Do not answer version-sensitive questions from training data — library/SDK APIs, package versions, model IDs, pricing, CLI flags, "latest" anything. Verify against current sources first (context7 MCP for library docs, WebSearch/WebFetch for everything else, the project lockfile for installed versions). The `staying-current` skill is the full policy; the Currency Guard hook will remind you when a prompt looks version-sensitive. If you can't verify, say so rather than guessing. </IMPORTANT>

Instruction Priority

Ultraship skills override default system prompt behavior, but **user instructions always take precedence**:

1. **User's explicit instructions** (CLAUDE.md, GEMINI.md, AGENTS.md, direct requests) — highest priority 2. **Ultraship skills** — override default system behavior where they conflict 3. **Default system prompt** — lowest priority

If CLAUDE.md, GEMINI.md, or AGENTS.md says "don't use TDD" and a skill says "always use TDD," follow the user's instructions. The user is in control.

How to Access Skills

**In Claude Code:** Use the `Skill` tool. When you invoke a skill, its content is loaded and presented to you—follow it directly. Never use the Read tool on skill files.

**In Gemini CLI:** Skills activate via the `activate_skill` tool. Gemini loads skill metadata at session start and activates the full content on demand.

**In other environments:** Check your platform's documentation for how skills are loaded.

Platform Adaptation

Skills use Claude Code tool names. Non-CC platforms: see `references/codex-tools.md` (Codex) for tool equivalents. Gemini CLI users get the tool mapping loaded automatically via GEMINI.md.

Using Skills

The Rule

**Invoke relevant or requested skills BEFORE any response or action.** Even a 1% chance a skill might apply means that you should invoke the skill to check. If an invoked skill turns out to be wrong for the situation, you don't need to use it.

digraph skill_flow {
    "User message received" [shape=doublecircle];
    "About to EnterPlanMode?" [shape=doublecircle];
    "Already brainstormed?" [shape=diamond];
    "Invoke brainstorming skill" [shape=box];
    "Might any skill apply?" [shape=diamond];
    "Invoke Skill tool" [shape=box];
    "Announce: 'Using [skill] to [purpose]'" [shape=box];
    "Has checklist?" [shape=diamond];
    "Create TodoWrite todo per item" [shape=box];
    "Follow skill exactly" [shape=box];
    "Respond (including clarifications)" [shape=doublecircle];

    "About to EnterPlanMode?" -> "Already brainstormed?";
    "Already brainstormed?" -> "Invoke brainstorming skill" [label="no"];
    "Already brainstormed?" -> "Might any skill apply?" [label="yes"];
    "Invoke brainstorming skill" -> "Might any skill apply?";

    "User message received" -> "Might any skill apply?";
    "Might any skill apply?" -> "Invoke Skill tool" [label="yes, even 1%"];
    "Might any skill apply?" -> "Respond (including clarifications)" [label="definitely not"];
    "Invoke Skill tool" -> "Announce: 'Using [skill] to [purpose]'";
    "Announce: 'Using [skill] to [purpose]'" -> "Has checklist?";
    "Has checklist?" -> "Create TodoWrite todo per item" [label="yes"];
    "Has checklist?" -> "Follow skill exactly" [label="no"];
    "Create TodoWrite todo per item" -> "Follow skill exactly";
}

Red Flags

These thoughts mean STOP—you're rationalizing:

| Thought | Reality | |---------|---------| | "This is just a simple question" | Questions are tasks. Check for skills. | | "I need more context first" | Skill check comes BEFORE clarifying questions. | | "Let me explore the codebase first" | Skills tell you HOW to explore. Check first. | | "I can check git/files quickly" | Files lack conversation context. Check for skills. | | "Let me gather information first" | Skills tell you HOW to gather information. | | "This doesn't need a formal skill" | If a skill exists, use it. | | "I remember this skill" | Skills evolve. Read current version. | | "This doesn't count as a task" | Action = task. Check for skills. | | "The skill is overkill" | Simple things become complex. Use it. | | "I'll just do this one thing first" | Check BEFORE doing anything. | | "This feels productive" | Undisciplined action wastes time. Skills prevent this. | | "I know what that means" | Knowing the concept ≠ using the skill. Invoke it. |

Skill Priority

When multiple skills could apply, use this order:

1. **Process skills first** (brainstorming, debugging) - these determine HOW to approach the task 2. **Implementation skills second** (frontend-design, mcp-builder) - these guide execution

"Let's build X" → brainstorming first, then implementation skills. "Fix this bug" → debugging first, then domain-specific skills.

Skill Types

**Rigid** (TDD, debugging): Follow exactly. Don't adapt away discipline.

**Flexible** (patterns): Adapt principles to context.

The skill itself tells you which.

User Instructions

Instructions say WHAT, not HOW. "Add X" or "Fix Y" doesn't mean s