Release v4.0.3: Strengthen using-superpowers for explicit skill requests

.claude-plugin/marketplace.json

@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@
     {
       "name": "superpowers",
       "description": "Core skills library for Claude Code: TDD, debugging, collaboration patterns, and proven techniques",
-      "version": "4.0.2",
+      "version": "4.0.3",
       "source": "./",
       "author": {
         "name": "Jesse Vincent",

.claude-plugin/plugin.json

@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 {
   "name": "superpowers",
   "description": "Core skills library for Claude Code: TDD, debugging, collaboration patterns, and proven techniques",
-  "version": "4.0.2",
+  "version": "4.0.3",
   "author": {
     "name": "Jesse Vincent",
     "email": "jesse@fsck.com"

RELEASE-NOTES.md

@@ -1,5 +1,23 @@
 # Superpowers Release Notes
 
+## v4.0.3 (2025-12-26)
+
+### Improvements
+
+**Strengthened using-superpowers skill for explicit skill requests**
+
+Addressed a failure mode where Claude would skip invoking a skill even when the user explicitly requested it by name (e.g., "subagent-driven-development, please"). Claude would think "I know what that means" and start working directly instead of loading the skill.
+
+Changes:
+- Updated "The Rule" to say "Invoke relevant or requested skills" instead of "Check for skills" - emphasizing active invocation over passive checking
+- Added "BEFORE any response or action" - the original wording only mentioned "response" but Claude would sometimes take action without responding first
+- Added reassurance that invoking a wrong skill is okay - reduces hesitation
+- Added new red flag: "I know what that means" → Knowing the concept ≠ using the skill
+
+**Added explicit skill request tests**
+
+New test suite in `tests/explicit-skill-requests/` that verifies Claude correctly invokes skills when users request them by name. Includes single-turn and multi-turn test scenarios.
+
 ## v4.0.2 (2025-12-23)
 
 ### Fixes

skills/using-superpowers/SKILL.md

@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ This is not negotiable. This is not optional. You cannot rationalize your way ou
 
 ## The Rule
 
-**Check for skills BEFORE ANY RESPONSE.** This includes clarifying questions. Even 1% chance means invoke the Skill tool first.
+**Invoke relevant or requested skills BEFORE any response or action.** Even a 1% chance a skill might apply means that you should invoke the skill to check. If an invoked skill turns out to be wrong for the situation, you don't need to use it.
 
 ```dot
 digraph skill_flow {
@@ -62,6 +62,7 @@ These thoughts mean STOP—you're rationalizing:
 | "The skill is overkill" | Simple things become complex. Use it. |
 | "I'll just do this one thing first" | Check BEFORE doing anything. |
 | "This feels productive" | Undisciplined action wastes time. Skills prevent this. |
+| "I know what that means" | Knowing the concept ≠ using the skill. Invoke it. |
 
 ## Skill Priority
 

tests/explicit-skill-requests/prompts/action-oriented.txt

@@ -0,0 +1,3 @@
+The plan is done. docs/plans/auth-system.md has everything.
+
+Do subagent-driven development on this - start with Task 1, dispatch a subagent, then we'll review.

tests/explicit-skill-requests/prompts/after-planning-flow.txt

@@ -0,0 +1,17 @@
+Great, the plan is complete. I've saved it to docs/plans/auth-system.md.
+
+Here's a summary of what we designed:
+- Task 1: Add User Model with email/password fields
+- Task 2: Create auth routes for login/register
+- Task 3: Add JWT middleware for protected routes
+- Task 4: Write tests for all auth functionality
+
+Two execution options:
+1. Subagent-Driven (this session) - dispatch a fresh subagent per task
+2. Parallel Session (separate) - open new Claude Code session
+
+Which approach do you want?
+
+---
+
+subagent-driven-development, please

tests/explicit-skill-requests/prompts/claude-suggested-it.txt

@@ -0,0 +1,11 @@
+[Previous assistant message]:
+Plan complete and saved to docs/plans/auth-system.md.
+
+Two execution options:
+1. Subagent-Driven (this session) - I dispatch a fresh subagent per task, review between tasks, fast iteration within this conversation
+2. Parallel Session (separate) - Open a new Claude Code session with the execute-plan skill, batch execution with review checkpoints
+
+Which approach do you want to use for implementation?
+
+[Your response]:
+subagent-driven-development, please

tests/explicit-skill-requests/prompts/i-know-what-sdd-means.txt

@@ -0,0 +1,8 @@
+I have my implementation plan ready at docs/plans/auth-system.md.
+
+I want to use subagent-driven-development to execute it. That means:
+- Dispatch a fresh subagent for each task in the plan
+- Review the output between tasks
+- Keep iteration fast within this conversation
+
+Let's start - please read the plan and begin dispatching subagents for each task.

tests/explicit-skill-requests/prompts/mid-conversation-execute-plan.txt

@@ -0,0 +1,3 @@
+I have a plan at docs/plans/auth-system.md that's ready to implement.
+
+subagent-driven-development, please

tests/explicit-skill-requests/prompts/please-use-brainstorming.txt

@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+please use the brainstorming skill to help me think through this feature

tests/explicit-skill-requests/prompts/skip-formalities.txt

@@ -0,0 +1,3 @@
+Plan is at docs/plans/auth-system.md.
+
+subagent-driven-development, please. Don't waste time - just read the plan and start dispatching subagents immediately.

tests/explicit-skill-requests/prompts/subagent-driven-development-please.txt

@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+subagent-driven-development, please

tests/explicit-skill-requests/prompts/use-systematic-debugging.txt

@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+use systematic-debugging to figure out what's wrong

tests/explicit-skill-requests/run-all.sh

@@ -0,0 +1,70 @@
+#!/bin/bash
+# Run all explicit skill request tests
+# Usage: ./run-all.sh
+
+set -e
+
+SCRIPT_DIR="$(cd "$(dirname "${BASH_SOURCE[0]}")" && pwd)"
+PROMPTS_DIR="$SCRIPT_DIR/prompts"
+
+echo "=== Running All Explicit Skill Request Tests ==="
+echo ""
+
+PASSED=0
+FAILED=0
+RESULTS=""
+
+# Test: subagent-driven-development, please
+echo ">>> Test 1: subagent-driven-development-please"
+if "$SCRIPT_DIR/run-test.sh" "subagent-driven-development" "$PROMPTS_DIR/subagent-driven-development-please.txt"; then
+    PASSED=$((PASSED + 1))
+    RESULTS="$RESULTS\nPASS: subagent-driven-development-please"
+else
+    FAILED=$((FAILED + 1))
+    RESULTS="$RESULTS\nFAIL: subagent-driven-development-please"
+fi
+echo ""
+
+# Test: use systematic-debugging
+echo ">>> Test 2: use-systematic-debugging"
+if "$SCRIPT_DIR/run-test.sh" "systematic-debugging" "$PROMPTS_DIR/use-systematic-debugging.txt"; then
+    PASSED=$((PASSED + 1))
+    RESULTS="$RESULTS\nPASS: use-systematic-debugging"
+else
+    FAILED=$((FAILED + 1))
+    RESULTS="$RESULTS\nFAIL: use-systematic-debugging"
+fi
+echo ""
+
+# Test: please use brainstorming
+echo ">>> Test 3: please-use-brainstorming"
+if "$SCRIPT_DIR/run-test.sh" "brainstorming" "$PROMPTS_DIR/please-use-brainstorming.txt"; then
+    PASSED=$((PASSED + 1))
+    RESULTS="$RESULTS\nPASS: please-use-brainstorming"
+else
+    FAILED=$((FAILED + 1))
+    RESULTS="$RESULTS\nFAIL: please-use-brainstorming"
+fi
+echo ""
+
+# Test: mid-conversation execute plan
+echo ">>> Test 4: mid-conversation-execute-plan"
+if "$SCRIPT_DIR/run-test.sh" "subagent-driven-development" "$PROMPTS_DIR/mid-conversation-execute-plan.txt"; then
+    PASSED=$((PASSED + 1))
+    RESULTS="$RESULTS\nPASS: mid-conversation-execute-plan"
+else
+    FAILED=$((FAILED + 1))
+    RESULTS="$RESULTS\nFAIL: mid-conversation-execute-plan"
+fi
+echo ""
+
+echo "=== Summary ==="
+echo -e "$RESULTS"
+echo ""
+echo "Passed: $PASSED"
+echo "Failed: $FAILED"
+echo "Total: $((PASSED + FAILED))"
+
+if [ "$FAILED" -gt 0 ]; then
+    exit 1
+fi

tests/explicit-skill-requests/run-claude-describes-sdd.sh

@@ -0,0 +1,100 @@
+#!/bin/bash
+# Test where Claude explicitly describes subagent-driven-development before user requests it
+# This mimics the original failure scenario
+
+set -e
+
+SCRIPT_DIR="$(cd "$(dirname "${BASH_SOURCE[0]}")" && pwd)"
+PLUGIN_DIR="$(cd "$SCRIPT_DIR/../.." && pwd)"
+
+TIMESTAMP=$(date +%s)
+OUTPUT_DIR="/tmp/superpowers-tests/${TIMESTAMP}/explicit-skill-requests/claude-describes"
+mkdir -p "$OUTPUT_DIR"
+
+PROJECT_DIR="$OUTPUT_DIR/project"
+mkdir -p "$PROJECT_DIR/docs/plans"
+
+echo "=== Test: Claude Describes SDD First ==="
+echo "Output dir: $OUTPUT_DIR"
+echo ""
+
+cd "$PROJECT_DIR"
+
+# Create a plan
+cat > "$PROJECT_DIR/docs/plans/auth-system.md" << 'EOF'
+# Auth System Implementation Plan
+
+## Task 1: Add User Model
+Create user model with email and password fields.
+
+## Task 2: Add Auth Routes
+Create login and register endpoints.
+
+## Task 3: Add JWT Middleware
+Protect routes with JWT validation.
+EOF
+
+# Turn 1: Have Claude describe execution options including SDD
+echo ">>> Turn 1: Ask Claude to describe execution options..."
+claude -p "I have a plan at docs/plans/auth-system.md. Tell me about my options for executing it, including what subagent-driven-development means and how it works." \
+    --model haiku \
+    --plugin-dir "$PLUGIN_DIR" \
+    --dangerously-skip-permissions \
+    --max-turns 3 \
+    --output-format stream-json \
+    > "$OUTPUT_DIR/turn1.json" 2>&1 || true
+echo "Done."
+
+# Turn 2: THE CRITICAL TEST - now that Claude has explained it
+echo ">>> Turn 2: Request subagent-driven-development..."
+FINAL_LOG="$OUTPUT_DIR/turn2.json"
+claude -p "subagent-driven-development, please" \
+    --continue \
+    --model haiku \
+    --plugin-dir "$PLUGIN_DIR" \
+    --dangerously-skip-permissions \
+    --max-turns 2 \
+    --output-format stream-json \
+    > "$FINAL_LOG" 2>&1 || true
+echo "Done."
+echo ""
+
+echo "=== Results ==="
+
+# Check Turn 1 to see if Claude described SDD
+echo "Turn 1 - Claude's description of options (excerpt):"
+grep '"type":"assistant"' "$OUTPUT_DIR/turn1.json" | head -1 | jq -r '.message.content[0].text // .message.content' 2>/dev/null | head -c 800 || echo "  (could not extract)"
+echo ""
+echo "---"
+echo ""
+
+# Check final turn
+SKILL_PATTERN='"skill":"([^"]*:)?subagent-driven-development"'
+if grep -q '"name":"Skill"' "$FINAL_LOG" && grep -qE "$SKILL_PATTERN" "$FINAL_LOG"; then
+    echo "PASS: Skill was triggered after Claude described it"
+    TRIGGERED=true
+else
+    echo "FAIL: Skill was NOT triggered (Claude may have thought it already knew)"
+    TRIGGERED=false
+
+    echo ""
+    echo "Tools invoked in final turn:"
+    grep '"type":"tool_use"' "$FINAL_LOG" | grep -o '"name":"[^"]*"' | sort -u | head -10 || echo "  (none)"
+
+    echo ""
+    echo "Final turn response:"
+    grep '"type":"assistant"' "$FINAL_LOG" | head -1 | jq -r '.message.content[0].text // .message.content' 2>/dev/null | head -c 800 || echo "  (could not extract)"
+fi
+
+echo ""
+echo "Skills triggered in final turn:"
+grep -o '"skill":"[^"]*"' "$FINAL_LOG" 2>/dev/null | sort -u || echo "  (none)"
+
+echo ""
+echo "Logs in: $OUTPUT_DIR"
+
+if [ "$TRIGGERED" = "true" ]; then
+    exit 0
+else
+    exit 1
+fi

tests/explicit-skill-requests/run-extended-multiturn-test.sh

@@ -0,0 +1,113 @@
+#!/bin/bash
+# Extended multi-turn test with more conversation history
+# This tries to reproduce the failure by building more context
+
+set -e
+
+SCRIPT_DIR="$(cd "$(dirname "${BASH_SOURCE[0]}")" && pwd)"
+PLUGIN_DIR="$(cd "$SCRIPT_DIR/../.." && pwd)"
+
+TIMESTAMP=$(date +%s)
+OUTPUT_DIR="/tmp/superpowers-tests/${TIMESTAMP}/explicit-skill-requests/extended-multiturn"
+mkdir -p "$OUTPUT_DIR"
+
+PROJECT_DIR="$OUTPUT_DIR/project"
+mkdir -p "$PROJECT_DIR/docs/plans"
+
+echo "=== Extended Multi-Turn Test ==="
+echo "Output dir: $OUTPUT_DIR"
+echo "Plugin dir: $PLUGIN_DIR"
+echo ""
+
+cd "$PROJECT_DIR"
+
+# Turn 1: Start brainstorming
+echo ">>> Turn 1: Brainstorming request..."
+claude -p "I want to add user authentication to my app. Help me think through this." \
+    --plugin-dir "$PLUGIN_DIR" \
+    --dangerously-skip-permissions \
+    --max-turns 3 \
+    --output-format stream-json \
+    > "$OUTPUT_DIR/turn1.json" 2>&1 || true
+echo "Done."
+
+# Turn 2: Answer a brainstorming question
+echo ">>> Turn 2: Answering questions..."
+claude -p "Let's use JWT tokens with 24-hour expiry. Email/password registration." \
+    --continue \
+    --plugin-dir "$PLUGIN_DIR" \
+    --dangerously-skip-permissions \
+    --max-turns 3 \
+    --output-format stream-json \
+    > "$OUTPUT_DIR/turn2.json" 2>&1 || true
+echo "Done."
+
+# Turn 3: Ask to write a plan
+echo ">>> Turn 3: Requesting plan..."
+claude -p "Great, write this up as an implementation plan." \
+    --continue \
+    --plugin-dir "$PLUGIN_DIR" \
+    --dangerously-skip-permissions \
+    --max-turns 3 \
+    --output-format stream-json \
+    > "$OUTPUT_DIR/turn3.json" 2>&1 || true
+echo "Done."
+
+# Turn 4: Confirm plan looks good
+echo ">>> Turn 4: Confirming plan..."
+claude -p "The plan looks good. What are my options for executing it?" \
+    --continue \
+    --plugin-dir "$PLUGIN_DIR" \
+    --dangerously-skip-permissions \
+    --max-turns 2 \
+    --output-format stream-json \
+    > "$OUTPUT_DIR/turn4.json" 2>&1 || true
+echo "Done."
+
+# Turn 5: THE CRITICAL TEST
+echo ">>> Turn 5: Requesting subagent-driven-development..."
+FINAL_LOG="$OUTPUT_DIR/turn5.json"
+claude -p "subagent-driven-development, please" \
+    --continue \
+    --plugin-dir "$PLUGIN_DIR" \
+    --dangerously-skip-permissions \
+    --max-turns 2 \
+    --output-format stream-json \
+    > "$FINAL_LOG" 2>&1 || true
+echo "Done."
+echo ""
+
+echo "=== Results ==="
+
+# Check final turn
+SKILL_PATTERN='"skill":"([^"]*:)?subagent-driven-development"'
+if grep -q '"name":"Skill"' "$FINAL_LOG" && grep -qE "$SKILL_PATTERN" "$FINAL_LOG"; then
+    echo "PASS: Skill was triggered"
+    TRIGGERED=true
+else
+    echo "FAIL: Skill was NOT triggered"
+    TRIGGERED=false
+
+    # Show what was invoked instead
+    echo ""
+    echo "Tools invoked in final turn:"
+    grep '"type":"tool_use"' "$FINAL_LOG" | jq -r '.content[] | select(.type=="tool_use") | .name' 2>/dev/null | head -10 || \
+    grep -o '"name":"[^"]*"' "$FINAL_LOG" | head -10 || echo "  (none found)"
+fi
+
+echo ""
+echo "Skills triggered:"
+grep -o '"skill":"[^"]*"' "$FINAL_LOG" 2>/dev/null | sort -u || echo "  (none)"
+
+echo ""
+echo "Final turn response (first 500 chars):"
+grep '"type":"assistant"' "$FINAL_LOG" | head -1 | jq -r '.message.content[0].text // .message.content' 2>/dev/null | head -c 500 || echo "  (could not extract)"
+
+echo ""
+echo "Logs in: $OUTPUT_DIR"
+
+if [ "$TRIGGERED" = "true" ]; then
+    exit 0
+else
+    exit 1
+fi

tests/explicit-skill-requests/run-haiku-test.sh

@@ -0,0 +1,144 @@
+#!/bin/bash
+# Test with haiku model and user's CLAUDE.md
+# This tests whether a cheaper/faster model fails more easily
+
+set -e
+
+SCRIPT_DIR="$(cd "$(dirname "${BASH_SOURCE[0]}")" && pwd)"
+PLUGIN_DIR="$(cd "$SCRIPT_DIR/../.." && pwd)"
+
+TIMESTAMP=$(date +%s)
+OUTPUT_DIR="/tmp/superpowers-tests/${TIMESTAMP}/explicit-skill-requests/haiku"
+mkdir -p "$OUTPUT_DIR"
+
+PROJECT_DIR="$OUTPUT_DIR/project"
+mkdir -p "$PROJECT_DIR/docs/plans"
+mkdir -p "$PROJECT_DIR/.claude"
+
+echo "=== Haiku Model Test with User CLAUDE.md ==="
+echo "Output dir: $OUTPUT_DIR"
+echo "Plugin dir: $PLUGIN_DIR"
+echo ""
+
+cd "$PROJECT_DIR"
+
+# Copy user's CLAUDE.md to simulate real environment
+if [ -f "$HOME/.claude/CLAUDE.md" ]; then
+    cp "$HOME/.claude/CLAUDE.md" "$PROJECT_DIR/.claude/CLAUDE.md"
+    echo "Copied user CLAUDE.md"
+else
+    echo "No user CLAUDE.md found, proceeding without"
+fi
+
+# Create a dummy plan file
+cat > "$PROJECT_DIR/docs/plans/auth-system.md" << 'EOF'
+# Auth System Implementation Plan
+
+## Task 1: Add User Model
+Create user model with email and password fields.
+
+## Task 2: Add Auth Routes
+Create login and register endpoints.
+
+## Task 3: Add JWT Middleware
+Protect routes with JWT validation.
+
+## Task 4: Write Tests
+Add comprehensive test coverage.
+EOF
+
+echo ""
+
+# Turn 1: Start brainstorming
+echo ">>> Turn 1: Brainstorming request..."
+claude -p "I want to add user authentication to my app. Help me think through this." \
+    --model haiku \
+    --plugin-dir "$PLUGIN_DIR" \
+    --dangerously-skip-permissions \
+    --max-turns 3 \
+    --output-format stream-json \
+    > "$OUTPUT_DIR/turn1.json" 2>&1 || true
+echo "Done."
+
+# Turn 2: Answer questions
+echo ">>> Turn 2: Answering questions..."
+claude -p "Let's use JWT tokens with 24-hour expiry. Email/password registration." \
+    --continue \
+    --model haiku \
+    --plugin-dir "$PLUGIN_DIR" \
+    --dangerously-skip-permissions \
+    --max-turns 3 \
+    --output-format stream-json \
+    > "$OUTPUT_DIR/turn2.json" 2>&1 || true
+echo "Done."
+
+# Turn 3: Ask to write a plan
+echo ">>> Turn 3: Requesting plan..."
+claude -p "Great, write this up as an implementation plan." \
+    --continue \
+    --model haiku \
+    --plugin-dir "$PLUGIN_DIR" \
+    --dangerously-skip-permissions \
+    --max-turns 3 \
+    --output-format stream-json \
+    > "$OUTPUT_DIR/turn3.json" 2>&1 || true
+echo "Done."
+
+# Turn 4: Confirm plan looks good
+echo ">>> Turn 4: Confirming plan..."
+claude -p "The plan looks good. What are my options for executing it?" \
+    --continue \
+    --model haiku \
+    --plugin-dir "$PLUGIN_DIR" \
+    --dangerously-skip-permissions \
+    --max-turns 2 \
+    --output-format stream-json \
+    > "$OUTPUT_DIR/turn4.json" 2>&1 || true
+echo "Done."
+
+# Turn 5: THE CRITICAL TEST
+echo ">>> Turn 5: Requesting subagent-driven-development..."
+FINAL_LOG="$OUTPUT_DIR/turn5.json"
+claude -p "subagent-driven-development, please" \
+    --continue \
+    --model haiku \
+    --plugin-dir "$PLUGIN_DIR" \
+    --dangerously-skip-permissions \
+    --max-turns 2 \
+    --output-format stream-json \
+    > "$FINAL_LOG" 2>&1 || true
+echo "Done."
+echo ""
+
+echo "=== Results (Haiku) ==="
+
+# Check final turn
+SKILL_PATTERN='"skill":"([^"]*:)?subagent-driven-development"'
+if grep -q '"name":"Skill"' "$FINAL_LOG" && grep -qE "$SKILL_PATTERN" "$FINAL_LOG"; then
+    echo "PASS: Skill was triggered"
+    TRIGGERED=true
+else
+    echo "FAIL: Skill was NOT triggered"
+    TRIGGERED=false
+
+    echo ""
+    echo "Tools invoked in final turn:"
+    grep '"type":"tool_use"' "$FINAL_LOG" | grep -o '"name":"[^"]*"' | head -10 || echo "  (none)"
+fi
+
+echo ""
+echo "Skills triggered:"
+grep -o '"skill":"[^"]*"' "$FINAL_LOG" 2>/dev/null | sort -u || echo "  (none)"
+
+echo ""
+echo "Final turn response (first 500 chars):"
+grep '"type":"assistant"' "$FINAL_LOG" | head -1 | jq -r '.message.content[0].text // .message.content' 2>/dev/null | head -c 500 || echo "  (could not extract)"
+
+echo ""
+echo "Logs in: $OUTPUT_DIR"
+
+if [ "$TRIGGERED" = "true" ]; then
+    exit 0
+else
+    exit 1
+fi

tests/explicit-skill-requests/run-multiturn-test.sh

@@ -0,0 +1,143 @@
+#!/bin/bash
+# Test explicit skill requests in multi-turn conversations
+# Usage: ./run-multiturn-test.sh
+#
+# This test builds actual conversation history to reproduce the failure mode
+# where Claude skips skill invocation after extended conversation
+
+set -e
+
+SCRIPT_DIR="$(cd "$(dirname "${BASH_SOURCE[0]}")" && pwd)"
+PLUGIN_DIR="$(cd "$SCRIPT_DIR/../.." && pwd)"
+
+TIMESTAMP=$(date +%s)
+OUTPUT_DIR="/tmp/superpowers-tests/${TIMESTAMP}/explicit-skill-requests/multiturn"
+mkdir -p "$OUTPUT_DIR"
+
+# Create project directory (conversation is cwd-based)
+PROJECT_DIR="$OUTPUT_DIR/project"
+mkdir -p "$PROJECT_DIR/docs/plans"
+
+echo "=== Multi-Turn Explicit Skill Request Test ==="
+echo "Output dir: $OUTPUT_DIR"
+echo "Project dir: $PROJECT_DIR"
+echo "Plugin dir: $PLUGIN_DIR"
+echo ""
+
+cd "$PROJECT_DIR"
+
+# Create a dummy plan file
+cat > "$PROJECT_DIR/docs/plans/auth-system.md" << 'EOF'
+# Auth System Implementation Plan
+
+## Task 1: Add User Model
+Create user model with email and password fields.
+
+## Task 2: Add Auth Routes
+Create login and register endpoints.
+
+## Task 3: Add JWT Middleware
+Protect routes with JWT validation.
+
+## Task 4: Write Tests
+Add comprehensive test coverage.
+EOF
+
+# Turn 1: Start a planning conversation
+echo ">>> Turn 1: Starting planning conversation..."
+TURN1_LOG="$OUTPUT_DIR/turn1.json"
+claude -p "I need to implement an authentication system. Let's plan this out. The requirements are: user registration with email/password, JWT tokens, and protected routes." \
+    --plugin-dir "$PLUGIN_DIR" \
+    --dangerously-skip-permissions \
+    --max-turns 2 \
+    --output-format stream-json \
+    > "$TURN1_LOG" 2>&1 || true
+
+echo "Turn 1 complete."
+echo ""
+
+# Turn 2: Continue with more planning detail
+echo ">>> Turn 2: Continuing planning..."
+TURN2_LOG="$OUTPUT_DIR/turn2.json"
+claude -p "Good analysis. I've already written the plan to docs/plans/auth-system.md. Now I'm ready to implement. What are my options for execution?" \
+    --continue \
+    --plugin-dir "$PLUGIN_DIR" \
+    --dangerously-skip-permissions \
+    --max-turns 2 \
+    --output-format stream-json \
+    > "$TURN2_LOG" 2>&1 || true
+
+echo "Turn 2 complete."
+echo ""
+
+# Turn 3: The critical test - ask for subagent-driven-development
+echo ">>> Turn 3: Requesting subagent-driven-development..."
+TURN3_LOG="$OUTPUT_DIR/turn3.json"
+claude -p "subagent-driven-development, please" \
+    --continue \
+    --plugin-dir "$PLUGIN_DIR" \
+    --dangerously-skip-permissions \
+    --max-turns 2 \
+    --output-format stream-json \
+    > "$TURN3_LOG" 2>&1 || true
+
+echo "Turn 3 complete."
+echo ""
+
+echo "=== Results ==="
+
+# Check if skill was triggered in Turn 3
+SKILL_PATTERN='"skill":"([^"]*:)?subagent-driven-development"'
+if grep -q '"name":"Skill"' "$TURN3_LOG" && grep -qE "$SKILL_PATTERN" "$TURN3_LOG"; then
+    echo "PASS: Skill 'subagent-driven-development' was triggered in Turn 3"
+    TRIGGERED=true
+else
+    echo "FAIL: Skill 'subagent-driven-development' was NOT triggered in Turn 3"
+    TRIGGERED=false
+fi
+
+# Show what skills were triggered
+echo ""
+echo "Skills triggered in Turn 3:"
+grep -o '"skill":"[^"]*"' "$TURN3_LOG" 2>/dev/null | sort -u || echo "  (none)"
+
+# Check for premature action in Turn 3
+echo ""
+echo "Checking for premature action in Turn 3..."
+FIRST_SKILL_LINE=$(grep -n '"name":"Skill"' "$TURN3_LOG" | head -1 | cut -d: -f1)
+if [ -n "$FIRST_SKILL_LINE" ]; then
+    PREMATURE_TOOLS=$(head -n "$FIRST_SKILL_LINE" "$TURN3_LOG" | \
+        grep '"type":"tool_use"' | \
+        grep -v '"name":"Skill"' | \
+        grep -v '"name":"TodoWrite"' || true)
+    if [ -n "$PREMATURE_TOOLS" ]; then
+        echo "WARNING: Tools invoked BEFORE Skill tool in Turn 3:"
+        echo "$PREMATURE_TOOLS" | head -5
+    else
+        echo "OK: No premature tool invocations detected"
+    fi
+else
+    echo "WARNING: No Skill invocation found in Turn 3"
+    # Show what WAS invoked
+    echo ""
+    echo "Tools invoked in Turn 3:"
+    grep '"type":"tool_use"' "$TURN3_LOG" | grep -o '"name":"[^"]*"' | head -10 || echo "  (none)"
+fi
+
+# Show Turn 3 assistant response
+echo ""
+echo "Turn 3 first assistant response (truncated):"
+grep '"type":"assistant"' "$TURN3_LOG" | head -1 | jq -r '.message.content[0].text // .message.content' 2>/dev/null | head -c 500 || echo "  (could not extract)"
+
+echo ""
+echo "Logs:"
+echo "  Turn 1: $TURN1_LOG"
+echo "  Turn 2: $TURN2_LOG"
+echo "  Turn 3: $TURN3_LOG"
+echo "Timestamp: $TIMESTAMP"
+
+if [ "$TRIGGERED" = "true" ]; then
+    exit 0
+else
+    exit 1
+fi

tests/explicit-skill-requests/run-test.sh

@@ -0,0 +1,136 @@
+#!/bin/bash
+# Test explicit skill requests (user names a skill directly)
+# Usage: ./run-test.sh <skill-name> <prompt-file>
+#
+# Tests whether Claude invokes a skill when the user explicitly requests it by name
+# (without using the plugin namespace prefix)
+#
+# Uses isolated HOME to avoid user context interference
+
+set -e
+
+SKILL_NAME="$1"
+PROMPT_FILE="$2"
+MAX_TURNS="${3:-3}"
+
+if [ -z "$SKILL_NAME" ] || [ -z "$PROMPT_FILE" ]; then
+    echo "Usage: $0 <skill-name> <prompt-file> [max-turns]"
+    echo "Example: $0 subagent-driven-development ./prompts/subagent-driven-development-please.txt"
+    exit 1
+fi
+
+# Get the directory where this script lives
+SCRIPT_DIR="$(cd "$(dirname "${BASH_SOURCE[0]}")" && pwd)"
+# Get the superpowers plugin root (two levels up)
+PLUGIN_DIR="$(cd "$SCRIPT_DIR/../.." && pwd)"
+
+TIMESTAMP=$(date +%s)
+OUTPUT_DIR="/tmp/superpowers-tests/${TIMESTAMP}/explicit-skill-requests/${SKILL_NAME}"
+mkdir -p "$OUTPUT_DIR"
+
+# Read prompt from file
+PROMPT=$(cat "$PROMPT_FILE")
+
+echo "=== Explicit Skill Request Test ==="
+echo "Skill: $SKILL_NAME"
+echo "Prompt file: $PROMPT_FILE"
+echo "Max turns: $MAX_TURNS"
+echo "Output dir: $OUTPUT_DIR"
+echo ""
+
+# Copy prompt for reference
+cp "$PROMPT_FILE" "$OUTPUT_DIR/prompt.txt"
+
+# Create a minimal project directory for the test
+PROJECT_DIR="$OUTPUT_DIR/project"
+mkdir -p "$PROJECT_DIR/docs/plans"
+
+# Create a dummy plan file for mid-conversation tests
+cat > "$PROJECT_DIR/docs/plans/auth-system.md" << 'EOF'
+# Auth System Implementation Plan
+
+## Task 1: Add User Model
+Create user model with email and password fields.
+
+## Task 2: Add Auth Routes
+Create login and register endpoints.
+
+## Task 3: Add JWT Middleware
+Protect routes with JWT validation.
+EOF
+
+# Run Claude with isolated environment
+LOG_FILE="$OUTPUT_DIR/claude-output.json"
+cd "$PROJECT_DIR"
+
+echo "Plugin dir: $PLUGIN_DIR"
+echo "Running claude -p with explicit skill request..."
+echo "Prompt: $PROMPT"
+echo ""
+
+timeout 300 claude -p "$PROMPT" \
+    --plugin-dir "$PLUGIN_DIR" \
+    --dangerously-skip-permissions \
+    --max-turns "$MAX_TURNS" \
+    --output-format stream-json \
+    > "$LOG_FILE" 2>&1 || true
+
+echo ""
+echo "=== Results ==="
+
+# Check if skill was triggered (look for Skill tool invocation)
+# Match either "skill":"skillname" or "skill":"namespace:skillname"
+SKILL_PATTERN='"skill":"([^"]*:)?'"${SKILL_NAME}"'"'
+if grep -q '"name":"Skill"' "$LOG_FILE" && grep -qE "$SKILL_PATTERN" "$LOG_FILE"; then
+    echo "PASS: Skill '$SKILL_NAME' was triggered"
+    TRIGGERED=true
+else
+    echo "FAIL: Skill '$SKILL_NAME' was NOT triggered"
+    TRIGGERED=false
+fi
+
+# Show what skills WERE triggered
+echo ""
+echo "Skills triggered in this run:"
+grep -o '"skill":"[^"]*"' "$LOG_FILE" 2>/dev/null | sort -u || echo "  (none)"
+
+# Check if Claude took action BEFORE invoking the skill (the failure mode)
+echo ""
+echo "Checking for premature action..."
+
+# Look for tool invocations before the Skill invocation
+# This detects the failure mode where Claude starts doing work without loading the skill
+FIRST_SKILL_LINE=$(grep -n '"name":"Skill"' "$LOG_FILE" | head -1 | cut -d: -f1)
+if [ -n "$FIRST_SKILL_LINE" ]; then
+    # Check if any non-Skill, non-system tools were invoked before the first Skill invocation
+    # Filter out system messages, TodoWrite (planning is ok), and other non-action tools
+    PREMATURE_TOOLS=$(head -n "$FIRST_SKILL_LINE" "$LOG_FILE" | \
+        grep '"type":"tool_use"' | \
+        grep -v '"name":"Skill"' | \
+        grep -v '"name":"TodoWrite"' || true)
+    if [ -n "$PREMATURE_TOOLS" ]; then
+        echo "WARNING: Tools invoked BEFORE Skill tool:"
+        echo "$PREMATURE_TOOLS" | head -5
+        echo ""
+        echo "This indicates Claude started working before loading the requested skill."
+    else
+        echo "OK: No premature tool invocations detected"
+    fi
+else
+    echo "WARNING: No Skill invocation found at all"
+fi
+
+# Show first assistant message
+echo ""
+echo "First assistant response (truncated):"
+grep '"type":"assistant"' "$LOG_FILE" | head -1 | jq -r '.message.content[0].text // .message.content' 2>/dev/null | head -c 500 || echo "  (could not extract)"
+
+echo ""
+echo "Full log: $LOG_FILE"
+echo "Timestamp: $TIMESTAMP"
+
+if [ "$TRIGGERED" = "true" ]; then
+    exit 0
+else
+    exit 1
+fi