/skill-meta-prompt

name: skill-meta-prompt
description: "Craft better prompts using proven optimization techniques — use when your prompt needs refinement"
disable-model-invocation: true

> **Host: Codex CLI** — This skill was designed for Claude Code and adapted for Codex. > Cross-reference commands use installed skill names in Codex rather than `/octo:*` slash commands. > Use the active Codex shell and subagent tools. Do not claim a provider, model, or host subagent is available until the current session exposes it. > For host tool equivalents, see `skills/blocks/codex-host-adapter.md`.

Meta-Prompt Generator Skill

Overview

Generate well-structured, verifiable prompts for any use case. Applies proven meta-prompting techniques to minimize hallucination and maximize effectiveness.

┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│                       META-PROMPT GENERATION                                 │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│                                                                             │
│  Phase 1: Requirement Gathering                                             │
│       → Understand the primary goal/role                                    │
│       → Clarify expected outputs                                            │
│       → Identify accuracy requirements                                      │
│       ↓                                                                     │
│  Phase 2: Task Analysis                                                     │
│       → Apply Technique 1: Task Decomposition                               │
│       → Identify if complex enough for subtasks                             │
│       → Map dependencies between subtasks                                   │
│       ↓                                                                     │
│  Phase 3: Expert Assignment                                                 │
│       → Apply Technique 5: Specialized Experts                              │
│       → Assign personas to subtasks                                         │
│       → Apply Technique 2: Fresh Eyes Review                                │
│       ↓                                                                     │
│  Phase 4: Verification Design                                               │
│       → Apply Technique 3: Iterative Verification                           │
│       → Build in checking steps                                             │
│       → Apply Technique 4: No Guessing                                      │
│       ↓                                                                     │
│  Phase 5: Prompt Assembly                                                   │
│       → Structure: Role, Context, Instructions, Constraints, Format         │
│       → Add verification hooks                                              │
│       → Include uncertainty disclaimers                                     │
│       ↓                                                                     │
│  Phase 6: Output & Iteration                                                │
│       → Present generated prompt                                            │
│       → Offer refinement                                                    │
│                                                                             │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

The Five Techniques

Technique 1: Task Decomposition

**What:** Break complex tasks into smaller, manageable subtasks.

**When to use:**

• Task has multiple distinct steps
• Different expertise needed for different parts
• Risk of getting lost in complexity

**How to apply:** 1. List all components of the task 2. Identify dependencies (what must happen first) 3. Group related components 4. Order by logical sequence

**Example:**

Task: "Create a technical blog post about OAuth 2.0"

Decomposition:
1. Research Phase
   - Gather OAuth 2.0 specifications
   - Find common implementation examples
   - Identify security best practices
   
2. Structure Phase
   - Outline main sections
   - Plan code examples
   - Design diagrams/visuals
   
3. Writing Phase
   - Write introduction
   - Write technical sections
   - Write conclusion/CTA
   
4. Review Phase
   - Technical accuracy check
   - Code example testing
   - Readability review

Technique 2: Fresh Eyes Review

**What:** Use different "experts" for creation vs. validation. Never use the same expert to both create and verify.

**When to use:**

• Output needs to be accurate
• Risk of blind spots from creator
• Quality assurance is critical

**How to apply:** 1. Assign Creator Expert for initial work 2. Assign different Reviewer Expert for validation 3. Reviewer should not have seen creation process 4. Loop back to Creator if issues found

**Example:**

Creator: "Expert Technical Writer" produces article
Reviewer: "Expert Security Engineer" verifies OAuth claims
Reviewer: "Expert Developer" tests code examples

NOT: Same expert writes AND reviews their own work

Technique 3: Iterative Verification

**What:** Build explicit verification steps into the task, especially for error-prone outputs.

**When to use:**

• Mathematical calculations
• Code generation
• Factual claims
• Multi-step reasoning

**How to apply:** 1. After each significant output, add verification step 2. For calculations: "Now verify this by [alternative method]" 3. For code: "Test this code against [test cases]" 4. For claims: "Confirm this by [citing source]"

**Example:**

Step 1: Calculate discount price
Step 2: VERIFY - recalculate from opposite direction
Step 3: If mismatch, identify error and recalculate
Step 4: Only proceed when both methods match

Technique 4: No Guessing

**What:** Never assume unverified facts. Disclaim uncertainty explicitly.

**When to use:**

• ALWAYS (