Automated summary
Applies the Cynefin framework to sort a problem into Simple, Complicated, Complex, Chaotic, or Confused, then recommends the response pattern that fits that domain.
Strengths
- Produces a structured, repeatable output (characteristics checklist, classification, domain-specific response)
- Clearly separates approaches: best practice, expert analysis, safe-to-fail probes, immediate action
- Includes sub-problem breakdown for the Confused domain and warnings about domain transitions
- Calls out the common trap of treating a complex problem as a complicated one that just needs more analysis
Limitations
- Classification is a subjective judgment; the skill offers no data to settle it
- Heavily templated table output can be verbose for a small question
- Does not give a concrete method for designing the experiments it recommends
Use it when you are unsure how to approach an ambiguous problem, or before committing to a large analysis effort.
Skip it for a clearly simple problem with a known procedure, or when a crisis demands immediate action with no time to frame the situation.
Security analysis
SafeThis is a pure prompt/instruction template for structuring a Cynefin framework analysis. No tools are declared, no commands or scripts are included, and there is no file access, network use, or data handling whatsoever. The only dynamic element is a trailing $ARGUMENTS placeholder, which is standard and benign.
No concerns found
How this analysis is madeExamples
Our team keeps fixing the same auth module and the bugs keep coming back. Run a Cynefin analysis to tell me whether this is a complicated problem needing deeper analysis or a complex one needing experiments.Payments are failing in production and everyone is arguing about root cause. Use Cynefin to classify the situation and tell me what we should do first.We're not sure what kind of problem this new onboarding redesign is — help me break it down with Cynefin and suggest the right approach for each part.name: cynefin description: Cynefin sense-making framework categorizing problems as Simple, Complicated, Complex, Chaotic, or Confused to select the right approach. Use when unsure how to tackle a problem. user-invocable: true
Cynefin Analysis
Analyze a situation through the Cynefin framework to understand what type of problem it is and choose the appropriate response.
Instructions
Determine which Cynefin domain the problem belongs to, then apply the appropriate response approach. Be willing to recognize that parts of a problem may span multiple domains.
Output Format
Situation: [What we're analyzing]
Initial Assessment
Characteristics Check
| Characteristic | Yes/No/Maybe | Evidence | |---------------|--------------|----------| | Cause and effect are clear and predictable | | | | Experts can analyze and determine the answer | | | | Outcomes can only be understood in hindsight | | | | The situation is unstable/in crisis | | | | We genuinely don't know what kind of problem this is | | |
Domain Classification
Primary Domain: [Simple/Complicated/Complex/Chaotic/Confused]
Why this domain? [Reasoning for the classification]
Domain-Appropriate Response
If SIMPLE/OBVIOUS
Sense → Categorize → Respond
Best Practice to Apply: [The established approach]
If COMPLICATED
Sense → Analyze → Respond
Experts Needed: [Who has the expertise?] Analysis Required: [What to investigate?]
If COMPLEX
Probe → Sense → Respond
Safe-to-Fail Experiments: | Probe | What We'd Learn | Amplify if... | Dampen if... | |-------|-----------------|---------------|---------------| | [experiment] | [insight] | [success indicators] | [failure indicators] |
Key Mindset: Don't try to predict. Try things, observe, adapt.
If CHAOTIC
Act → Sense → Respond
Immediate Stabilization: [What action do we take right now?]
If CONFUSED
Break down, then categorize
| Sub-problem | Likely Domain | Why | |-------------|---------------|-----| | [sub-problem] | [domain] | [reasoning] |
Boundary Warnings
| Transition | Warning Signs | What to Do | |------------|--------------|------------| | Simple → Chaotic | Complacency | Challenge assumptions | | Complicated → Complex | Analysis not converging | Try probes instead | | Complex → Chaotic | Loss of control | Stabilize fast |
Recommended Approach
Given this is a [DOMAIN] problem, we should:
- [Primary approach]
- [Supporting action]
Guidelines
- Most people default to Complicated (analysis) when Complex (probes) is needed
- "Best practice" is only valid in Simple domain
- In Complex, you can't predict—you can only experiment and adapt
- In Chaotic, act first, think later
$ARGUMENTS
From the file to a first result
The download contains exactly the content displayed on this page. This copy may differ from the latest version in the source repository.
View the source and supporting filesThis download contains SKILL.md only. Any scripts, references, templates and dependencies are not included. Get the required files from the source, preserving their directory structure, before continuing.
1. Download the file
Download SKILL.mdFrom the root of a test project, save the file as .skill-downloads/cynefin-analysis-ms47vpab/SKILL.md, or use the command below. This folder is for inspecting the skill before installation.
Command for macOS/Linux or WSL: requires a POSIX shell and curl. On Windows without WSL, use the download button and create the folder manually.
mkdir -p '.skill-downloads/cynefin-analysis-ms47vpab' && curl --fail --show-error --location 'https://skills-guides.com/api/skills/cynefin-analysis-ms47vpab/download' --output '.skill-downloads/cynefin-analysis-ms47vpab/SKILL.md.part' && mv '.skill-downloads/cynefin-analysis-ms47vpab/SKILL.md.part' '.skill-downloads/cynefin-analysis-ms47vpab/SKILL.md'2. Check prerequisites
Read SKILL.md before using it. If it references scripts or external services, inspect them and prepare the required access in your test environment.
No recognized prerequisites section in this file. This does not mean it is self-contained: libraries, tools and access requirements may be mentioned elsewhere in the content or source repository.
The platforms on this page are catalog indications. The paths below follow tool documentation; they do not prove this skill has been run in those tools. No minimum tool version is confirmed for this listing.
3. Load the skill
After inspection, copy the complete folder into your project using one of the commands below, then open a new tool session. The command stops if a folder with the same name already exists: compare the files before replacing it.
Claude Code
test -f '.skill-downloads/cynefin-analysis-ms47vpab/SKILL.md' && test -s '.skill-downloads/cynefin-analysis-ms47vpab/SKILL.md' && mkdir -p '.claude/skills' && test ! -e '.claude/skills/cynefin' && cp -R '.skill-downloads/cynefin-analysis-ms47vpab' '.claude/skills/cynefin'Cursor
test -f '.skill-downloads/cynefin-analysis-ms47vpab/SKILL.md' && test -s '.skill-downloads/cynefin-analysis-ms47vpab/SKILL.md' && mkdir -p '.cursor/skills' && test ! -e '.cursor/skills/cynefin' && cp -R '.skill-downloads/cynefin-analysis-ms47vpab' '.cursor/skills/cynefin'Codex
test -f '.skill-downloads/cynefin-analysis-ms47vpab/SKILL.md' && test -s '.skill-downloads/cynefin-analysis-ms47vpab/SKILL.md' && mkdir -p '.agents/skills' && test ! -e '.agents/skills/cynefin' && cp -R '.skill-downloads/cynefin-analysis-ms47vpab' '.agents/skills/cynefin'OpenSkills
OpenSkills must already be installed. The local install/read procedure is checked with OpenSkills 1.5.0, which requires Node.js ≥ 20.6.0. Catalog slugs are not resolved automatically.
Official OpenSkills installationopenskills install './.skill-downloads/cynefin-analysis-ms47vpab'openskills read 'cynefin-analysis-ms47vpab'Reading should display the installed file content and its base directory. It does not run the skill or install its dependencies.
For an agent that reads AGENTS.md, then sync the index. This command changes AGENTS.md: review the diff before using it.
openskills syncManual method or another tool: attach SKILL.md to a conversation, or open it in an agent that can read files. Include any required supporting resources. No universal folder is recognized by every tool.
4. Try a first task
Use a short, synthetic input: an API endpoint, a small document or an interface brief. In a new conversation, attach the file or give the agent its path, then adapt this request:
Read .skill-downloads/cynefin-analysis-ms47vpab/SKILL.md and apply its instructions to this example: [describe a test input]. Identify any missing files, dependencies or access. Produce the result requested by the skill without inventing data or running unreviewed scripts.Expected result: output matching the skill instructions, or a precise list of missing prerequisites. A read confirmation alone does not validate a first use. If an external resource is unavailable, that path remains untested.
PDF Reader
Productivity
Read and extract text from PDF files, including documents, reports, contracts, and spreadsheets. Works with local files, URLs, and WhatsApp attachments. Use whenever PDF content is needed, even if not explicitly requested.
Discord Messaging Workflows
Productivity
Use the message tool to send, edit, and moderate Discord messages with interactive components.
Interactive Verdict Preview
Productivity
Generate an interactive HTML preview of keep/drop verdicts for maintainer review, then process the pasted feedback JSON.