decision-reversibility
Skill114 starsChanged 10 months agoMITView on GitHub
Classify decisions as Hat/Haircut/Tattoo by reversibility. Use to calibrate how much analysis a decision deserves.
In this repository48 other files it gives its agents.
- AGENTS.mdAGENTS.md
- CLAUDE.mdCLAUDE.md
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The file
We split this skill into the rules it gives an agent
2 rules. About 0 are common, 2 are distinctive, and 0 are very specific to this project.
≈0
Common · estimate
Many files like this have a rule of this kind.
≈2
Distinctive · estimate
This author's own choices. Worth a look.
0
Very specific
Tied to their project's names, files or tools. Probably skip.
- Common
- Distinctive
- Very specific
- Distinctive: line 12
Before making a decision, to determine how much deliberation is warranted.
- Distinctive: line 58
Do not use this skill when the request is unrelated, low-stakes, or better handled by a simpler direct response.
≈ “Common” is an estimate: at least 1 in 5 of the 350,495 skill files we read have a rule of the same kind, not the same words. “Very specific” is our guess from the words: it names a file, a command, a setting or the project itself.
Files
Decision Reversibility Classification
Classify decisions by reversibility to calibrate how much analysis they deserve.
When to Use
Before making a decision, to determine how much deliberation is warranted.
The Framework
Classify decisions into three categories:
| Type | Reversibility | Analysis Needed |
| Hat | Easily reversible, minimal consequences | Decide quickly |
| Haircut | Reversible with effort/time | Moderate analysis |
| Tattoo | Largely irreversible, lasting impact | Deep analysis |
Analysis Criteria
Consider these factors:
- Immediate consequences - What happens right away?
- Long-term effects - On you, team, users, company?
- Reversal effort - Time, money, resources to undo?
- Permanent changes - What can't be undone?
Classification Guide
Hat (decide fast):
- Can undo with minimal cost
- No lasting consequences
- Examples: Meeting time, doc format, tool choice
Haircut (moderate deliberation):
- Reversible but requires time/effort
- Temporary discomfort if wrong
- Examples: Feature scope, team process, pricing test
Tattoo (deliberate carefully):
- Largely permanent or very costly to reverse
- Long-lasting consequences
- Examples: Architecture choices, team structure, market positioning
Output
- Decision classification (Hat/Haircut/Tattoo)
- Key factors driving the classification
- Recommended level of analysis
When Not to Use
Do not use this skill when the request is unrelated, low-stakes, or better handled by a simpler direct response.
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