The body is lean and efficient with no padding or explanation of concepts Claude already knows; every section earns its place, matching the score-3 anchor.

Although instruction-only with no code, each numbered step gives concrete, specific directives ('Identify the strategic center', 'Befriend distant powers', 'Isolate the target') that are actionable per the code_vs_instruction_skills note.

A clearly sequenced six-step process is paired with a dedicated Verification section of explicit checkpoints, matching the score-3 anchor; the operation is doctrinal planning rather than destructive/batch work, so the validation-gate cap does not apply.

This is a simple skill under 50 lines with no bundle files and well-organized sections, so per the simple_skills scoring note it scores 3 without external references.

The description lists multiple concrete actions — 'befriend distant powers', 'isolate nearby targets', 'conquer incrementally' — rather than vague language, matching the score-3 anchor.

It explicitly answers both what (the three doctrine actions) and when via an explicit 'Use when' clause, matching the score-3 anchor.

'Use when planning systematic territorial expansion across multiple neighboring states' gives a relevant trigger, but the phrasing is formal and niche with limited variation of natural terms a user would say, falling short of broad coverage.

The niche is highly specific (the 远交近攻 doctrine of territorial expansion) with distinct triggers, making it unlikely to fire for unrelated skills.