---
name: using-superpowers
description: Manual-only skill. Activate only after an explicit user request for Superpowers Lite or superpowers-lite:using-superpowers.
---

# Superpowers Lite

Superpowers Lite is a manual-only workflow pack. Use it only when the user explicitly asks for Superpowers Lite or names a `superpowers-lite:*` skill.

Do not auto-trigger Superpowers Lite because a task looks creative, complex, buggy, or plan-worthy. If the user asks for ordinary coding help without naming this workflow, proceed normally under the host agent's default instructions.

## Instruction Priority

Superpowers Lite skills override default system prompt behavior after explicit activation, but **user instructions always take precedence**:

1. **User's explicit instructions** (CLAUDE.md, GEMINI.md, AGENTS.md, direct requests) — highest priority
2. **Superpowers Lite skills** — apply only after explicit user activation
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 Copilot CLI:** Use the `skill` tool. Skills are auto-discovered from installed plugins. The `skill` tool works the same as Claude Code's `Skill` tool.

**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/copilot-tools.md` (Copilot CLI), `references/codex-tools.md` (Codex) for tool equivalents. Gemini CLI users get the tool mapping loaded automatically via GEMINI.md.

# Using Skills

## Manual Activation Rule

Use a Superpowers Lite skill only when the user explicitly requests one of these:

- "Use Superpowers Lite"
- "Use superpowers-lite:brainstorming"
- "Use superpowers-lite:writing-plans"
- "Use superpowers-lite:executing-plans"
- Another explicit `superpowers-lite:*` skill name

If the user asks for "a plan", "debug this", "review this", or "implement this" without naming Superpowers Lite, do not treat that as activation. The fork exists to stay out of the way until called.

## Skill Priority

After explicit activation, 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

After the user opts in: "Let's build X" → brainstorming first, then implementation skills.
After the user opts in: "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.

## Local Artifacts

Generated design specs and implementation plans are local working artifacts. Keep them outside git by default under `.superpowers-lite/`, and ensure that path is ignored via `.git/info/exclude` before writing files.

## User Instructions

Instructions say WHAT, not HOW, but in this fork ordinary "Add X" or "Fix Y" requests do not activate Superpowers Lite. The user must opt in.