cli-mcp-decision
Decide whether a workflow should use CLI skills, MCP, or a hybrid approach. Use when planning agentic tooling, writing ADRs, or evaluating migrations between CLI and MCP.
explain-codebase
Generate an engaging, deep-dive explanation document (FOR_[NAME].md) that explains a codebase or domain in plain language with analogies, lessons learned, and practical wisdom.
manage-plugins
Add or remove inline plugins from the ccdev function in dotfiles .zshrc
observability
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agent-cli
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vscode-bookmarks
Create and manage VS Code Bookmarks extension labeled bookmarks in .vscode/bookmarks.json. Use when the user wants to add navigation bookmarks to a codebase, trace data flows through code, mark important code locations, or set up labeled waypoints for code walkthroughs. Also use when user says "bookmark", "label this code", "mark this flow", or "add waypoints".
arena
Adversarial research -- biased teams argue opposite sides, a judge delivers the verdict. Use for comparing technologies, evaluating trade-offs, or resolving debates with structured evidence from Reddit, X, and the web. Do not use for single-source research or quick questions -- use /cortex-engineering:research instead.
brainstorm
Brainstorm ideas building on existing Cortex knowledge. Use when the user wants to brainstorm, explore ideas, or think through an approach.
design-system
Design system foundations for visual artifacts -- 8px grid spacing, typography scales, color contrast, border weights, vertical rhythm, and colorblind-safe palettes. Use when creating or styling any visual artifact -- diagrams, charts, presentations, documents, or exports. Provides concrete token values that snap to an 8px baseline grid.
frontmatter
Knows the frontmatter contract for all Cortex knowledge systems. Routes to the correct base fields + system-specific extras when writing docs. Other skills delegate to this skill for doc creation.
mermaid-diagrams
Expert knowledge for creating print-ready Mermaid diagrams -- syntax, styling, theming, and print optimization. Use when generating or reviewing any Mermaid diagram.
naming-conventions
Naming conventions for Claude Code plugin components -- plugins (tier prefixes: kb-*, dx-*, int-*), skills, commands, agents, argument hints, and descriptions. Use when creating, renaming, or auditing any plugin component to ensure correct naming patterns, description quality, and context budget optimization.
research
Research topics and save structured findings to the Cortex knowledge system. Use when the user asks to research a topic, investigate something, or create a research note.
skill-authoring
Expert guidance for creating Claude Code skills and slash commands. Use when authoring new skills, improving existing skills, creating commands, or understanding skill structure and best practices.
visualize
Generates diagrams from any document, topic, or concept. Routes mind maps to Markmap, everything else to Mermaid. Use when someone wants to visualize, diagram, or map out anything.
mpe
Reference knowledge for Markdown Preview Enhanced (MPE) VS Code extension. Covers settings, code chunks, file imports (@import), diagram engines (Mermaid, PlantUML, GraphViz, Vega-Lite, Kroki, WaveDrom), reveal.js presentations, export pipelines (PDF, HTML, Pandoc, eBook), and custom CSS styling. Use when the user is working with MPE, asking about MPE features, configuring preview settings, embedding diagrams, building slides, exporting documents, or troubleshooting issues like preview not rendering or export failing. Do not use for general Markdown syntax or other VS Code extensions.
node-cert
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