arn-code-ensure-config
This skill should be used when the user says "ensure config", "check arness config", "arn-code-ensure-config", "verify arness setup", or wants to verify that Arness Code configuration is present for the current project. This skill is primarily consumed as a reference by entry-point skills (arn-planning, arn-implementing, arn-shipping, arn-reviewing-pr, arn-assessing, arn-code-feature-spec, arn-code-bug-spec, arn-code-swift, arn-code-standard) which read the ensure-config reference as Step 0 before proceeding with their workflow.
67
59%
Does it follow best practices?
Impact
—
No eval scenarios have been run
Passed
No known issues
Optimize this skill with Tessl
npx tessl skill review --optimize ./plugins/arn-code/skills/arn-code-ensure-config/SKILL.mdQuality
Discovery
89%Based on the skill's description, can an agent find and select it at the right time? Clear, specific descriptions lead to better discovery.
This description excels at trigger term coverage and completeness, clearly stating when it should be used with explicit trigger phrases and explaining its role as a Step 0 reference for other Arness skills. Its main weakness is that it doesn't specify the concrete actions performed during configuration verification (e.g., what files are checked, what is created if missing). The description is functional and distinctive but could benefit from more specificity about what the skill actually does.
Suggestions
Add specific concrete actions describing what the skill does, e.g., 'Checks for .arness config file, validates required fields, creates default configuration if missing.'
| Dimension | Reasoning | Score |
|---|---|---|
Specificity | The description names the domain (Arness Code configuration verification) and describes some actions (verify configuration is present, consumed as a reference by entry-point skills), but doesn't list specific concrete actions like what configuration elements are checked or what happens when config is missing. | 2 / 3 |
Completeness | Clearly answers both 'what' (verifies Arness Code configuration is present, serves as Step 0 reference for entry-point skills) and 'when' (explicit trigger phrases and the condition 'wants to verify that Arness Code configuration is present'). Has explicit 'Use when' equivalent via 'This skill should be used when...'. | 3 / 3 |
Trigger Term Quality | Includes multiple natural trigger phrases users would say: 'ensure config', 'check arness config', 'arn-code-ensure-config', 'verify arness setup', plus lists all the entry-point skill names that reference it. Good coverage of variations. | 3 / 3 |
Distinctiveness Conflict Risk | Highly distinctive with very specific trigger terms ('ensure config', 'arness config', 'arn-code-ensure-config') that are unlikely to conflict with other skills. The Arness-specific naming creates a clear niche. | 3 / 3 |
Total | 11 / 12 Passed |
Implementation
29%Reviews the quality of instructions and guidance provided to agents. Good implementation is clear, handles edge cases, and produces reliable results.
This skill is essentially a thin wrapper that delegates all meaningful content to a reference file that was not provided in the bundle. The SKILL.md body contains redundant description from the frontmatter, offers no inline guidance on what 'ensure config' actually checks or does, and lacks any validation steps or error handling for a configuration verification workflow. Without the referenced file, the skill is not self-sufficient.
Suggestions
Inline at least a summary of what the ensure-config check verifies (e.g., user profile exists, Arness section present) so the skill is useful even without the reference file.
Add explicit validation/success criteria: what does a passing config check look like? What should happen on failure?
Include the referenced ensure-config.md in the bundle, or if it must be separate, provide a clear fallback or error message if the file is missing.
Remove the redundant description paragraph that restates the skill's purpose already conveyed by the title and frontmatter.
| Dimension | Reasoning | Score |
|---|---|---|
Conciseness | The introductory paragraph restates information that would already be in the skill description/frontmatter (e.g., 'runs automatically as Step 0 of all entry-point skills'). The second paragraph ('When invoked directly...') adds marginal value. The actual instruction is just one line. | 2 / 3 |
Actionability | The skill provides a concrete file path to read and a clear directive ('follow its instructions'), but the actual actionable content is entirely delegated to the referenced file. Without the bundle file, we cannot verify the instructions are complete or executable. | 2 / 3 |
Workflow Clarity | The workflow is a single step ('read file and follow its instructions') with no validation checkpoints, no error handling, and no indication of what success or failure looks like. For a config verification skill, there should be explicit checks and feedback loops. | 1 / 3 |
Progressive Disclosure | The skill delegates entirely to a reference file, but no bundle files were provided, meaning the referenced ensure-config.md cannot be verified to exist. The SKILL.md itself provides essentially no usable content — it's an empty shell pointing to an unverifiable reference. | 1 / 3 |
Total | 6 / 12 Passed |
Validation
90%Checks the skill against the spec for correct structure and formatting. All validation checks must pass before discovery and implementation can be scored.
Validation — 10 / 11 Passed
Validation for skill structure
| Criteria | Description | Result |
|---|---|---|
frontmatter_unknown_keys | Unknown frontmatter key(s) found; consider removing or moving to metadata | Warning |
Total | 10 / 11 Passed | |
- Repository
- AppsVortex/arness
- Commit
1fe948f
- Reviewed
Table of Contents
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