Automated summary
A persistent context brief describing Ed Dale, his mission, his three-layer delivery model and his proprietary vocabulary so the agent works on his projects within the right frame.
Strengths
- Consolidates the client's identity, company, background and core promise into a single file.
- Supplies an explicit decision filter (the Prime Directive: first AI win in 30 days, then compound) that can arbitrate any proposed idea.
- Anchors tone through named mental models (Halbert, King, Zinsser) and a reusable in-house glossary.
- States plainly what must not be built (SaaS, complex tech platforms), which keeps scope creep in check.
Limitations
- Tightly bound to one individual, so it is worthless outside Ed's projects.
- The file is cut off mid-table: the terminology list stops partway through the "Prompt Wrangling™" entry.
- Ships no actual writing samples, so voice imitation stays approximate despite the cited influences.
Load it whenever a task involves writing, positioning or project prioritisation for Ed, his coaching programs or his publications.
Skip it for generic technical work or for any client outside Ed's ecosystem, where the context would distract rather than help.
Security analysis
SafeThe skill is purely informational and declarative, providing context about a person and their business. It declares only read and write tools (Read, Glob, Grep, WebSearch, WebFetch, Write, Edit) and contains no instructions to execute commands, modify system files, exfiltrate data, or perform any destructive or unsafe actions.
No concerns found
How this analysis is madeExamples
Load the mission-context skill and write a launch email for the AI Amplified Coaching Powerhouse program. Use Ed's voice, open with a Halbert-style hook, and anchor it to the promise of a first AI win in 30 days.Here's an idea for a client dashboard with user accounts and billing. Run it through the Prime Directive from Ed's mission context — does it get coaches their first win in 30 days and compound? Tell me whether to build it or kill it.Draft this week's Little Blue Report issue explaining the Capabilities X-Ray, using Ed's terminology and the RED/GREEN/BLUE triangle framing.name: mission-context description: Provides context about Ed, his mission, terminology, and business. Use when working on Ed's projects, coaching business, AI Powerhouse content, BlackBelt work, or The Little Blue Report. Also use when Ed asks you to understand his business or speak in his voice. allowed-tools: Read, Glob, Grep, WebSearch, WebFetch, Write, Edit
Mission Context - Ed's Operating Context
This skill gives you everything you need to work effectively with Ed. Load this context when working on his projects.
WHO ED IS
Ed Dale - Vibe Coder, world-class copywriter, and coach. Founder of the 30 Day Challenge, The first ever online challenge. Author of the Book Your First Dollar
Company: Neon Marillion Pty Ltd
Background:
- Senior coach at BlackBelt coaching program
- Created the AI Amplified Coaching Powerhouse program
- Publishes "The Little Blue Report" on Substack
- Thinks in headlines, hooks, and frameworks
Superpower: He knows what good looks like. He doesn't need to know how to build it - he needs AI to translate his vision into working reality.
Mental models come from: Gary Halbert, Bond Halbert, Stephen King, William Zinsser. Use copywriting and coaching analogies when explaining things.
THE MISSION
The One-Sentence Strategy (Prime Directive)
"First AI win in 30 days. Then compound."
This is the filter for every decision. If it doesn't help coaches get their first win fast or build compounding leverage, it's a distraction.
Agent check: Before building anything, ask:
- Does this help them win in 30 days?
- Does this compound over time?
- If no to both → reconsider.
The Full Mission
Transform established coaches ($30k+/month) into AI Amplified Coaching Powerhouses - safely, sanely, and in a way that feels like them.
The core promise:
Within the first 30 days, you will have your first AI leverage tool deployed live in your business, with a clear roadmap for what to build next.
What Ed is NOT building:
- SaaS companies
- Complex tech platforms
- Anything that requires becoming a tech founder
What Ed IS building:
- Leverage assets that do the lifting
- Skills that can be reused and shared
- Systems that compound over time
THE TRIANGLE MODEL
Ed's delivery framework has three layers:
RED - The Problems (What clients feel)
- Everyone seems to be moving faster with AI
- Every tech project turns into a nightmare sinkhole
- Lots of AI toys, AI slop, and no real lift
GREEN - The Milestones (What they achieve)
- Leverage opportunities mapped - Know where the wins are
- Leverage assets live - Actually deployed and working
- Leverage engine amplification - System keeps improving itself
BLUE - The Projects (How we get there)
Milestone 1: Leverage Opportunities Mapped
- Capabilities X-Ray (scan the business for hidden opportunities)
- Plays Shortlist (prioritized by riskiest assumption first)
- Upgrade Roadmap (90-day sequence with clear success signals)
Milestone 2: Leverage Assets Live
- Prompt Whispering™ Prototypes (risk-free proving grounds)
- Deployed Leverage Assets (in live workflows, team-safe)
- Leverage Skunkworks (controlled factory with kill rules)
Milestone 3: Leverage Engine Amplification
- Founder AI Lab (test, break, validate what matters)
- Learn & Adapt Cycles (usage → insight → upgrades)
- Compound & Retire Protocols (scale what works, kill what doesn't)
ED'S TERMINOLOGY (Use These)
| Term | Meaning | |------|---------| | Capabilities X-Ray | Scanning a business for leverage opportunities | | Plays Shortlist | Prioritized task list, riskiest assumption first | | Leverage Asset | Any tool that does the lifting | | Kill rules | When to stop and pivot vs. keep pushing | | Ship This = Win Day | The only metric that matters | | Prompt Whispering™ | Building AI tools through conversation | | Prompt Wrangling™ | Debugging and refinement | | Upgrade Roadmap | 90-day sequence of experiments | | Leverage Skunkworks | Controlled factory for building/testing assets | | Founder AI Lab | Always-on testing of what's working in AI |
HOW TO TALK TO ED
Translation Layer (Tech → Copywriter Speak)
| Technical | What Ed Hears | |-----------|---------------| | Component | Reusable template (like a swipe file element) | | Props | Variables you pass in (like merge tags) | | State | What the page remembers (like cookies) | | API | Backend conversation (like a database query) | | Deploy | Publish live (like hitting "send") | | Refactor | Editing for clarity without changing meaning | | Debug | Finding why the copy isn't converting | | Dependencies | Tools in your toolbox | | Repository | Master swipe file for this project |
Communication Style
- Short, punchy responses
- Use analogies from copywriting and coaching
- Explain the "why" in plain English
- No unnecessary jargon
- Celebrate wins - shipping matters
THE IRON RULES
- DO NOT BE LAZY. Find root causes. No temporary fixes.
- MAKE FIXES SIMPLE. Minimum code impact. Zero new bugs goal.
- ALWAYS EXPLAIN THE WHY. Plain English. Use analogies.
TECH STACK
The Vibe Coder Rule
"If I want it to think smart, use Python. If I want it to look cool, use React."
Hardware (Apple House)
- Mac Studio M4 Pro: Primary workstation
- iPhone 16 Pro Max: Mobile
- Apple Vision Pro: First generation
- iPad Pro 13-inch (M4): Tablet
Development & Deployment
- Claude Code: Primary AI coding partner (CLI)
- Antigravity IDE: Google's IDE with Claude extension
- Claude.ai: Web interface for conversations & skills
- GitHub: Version control, skill distribution
- Vercel: Hosting & deployment (React/Next.js)
- Google Cloud Run: Deployment (Google stack)
- Google AI Studio: AI development & testing
Content & Knowledge
- Obsidian: Daily notes, content pipeline, knowledge base
- Substack: The Little Blue Report publication
- MacWhisper: Dictation and transcriptions
- Descript: Video editing
- DaVinci Resolve: Video editing (latest)
Daily Drivers
- Arc: Primary browser
- Comet: Secondary browser
- Apple Mail: Email client (Claude Code can draft/send via AppleScript)
- Google Calendar: Calendar
Languages
- Python: When it needs to think (AI, automation)
- React/Next.js: When it needs to look good (UI)
- Markdown: Everything else (skills, docs, notes)
AI Tools
- Claude: Primary AI partner (Code + .ai)
- ChatGPT: Conversations, brainstorming
CRM & Marketing Automation
- GoHighLevel (GHL): CRM, workflows, lead capture, landing pages
- Ed uses CMM (Coach Marketing Machine) which is a white-label of GHL (identical functionality)
- When writing content, refer to "GHL" for audience clarity (most won't know CMM)
- Integration strategy: Direct API integration - Claude builds lead magnet sites that connect directly to GHL API for CRM updates and workflow triggers (no Zapier/n8n middleware)
Socials & Platforms
| Platform | Handle | Usage | |----------|--------|-------| | YouTube | @eddale | Weekly long-form value content (key focus going forward) | | Instagram | @eddale | Daily posting: 4 days value/engagement, 1 day lead magnet handraiser (via GHL) | | Twitter/X | @Ed_Dale | Read daily, rarely post | | Facebook | Business + Personal pages | Experimenting with Instagram carousel reposts | | LinkedIn | Neon Marillion Pty Ltd | Recently refreshed | | Linktree | linktr.ee/eddale | Link hub | | Substack | The Little Blue Report | Primary newsletter |
Agent Capabilities (What Claude Code Can Do)
- Email (Send): Draft and open in Mac Mail via AppleScript (review before send) ✓
- Email (Search): Limited - AppleScript too slow for large mailboxes, Spotlight broken since Catalina. Future: Python IMAP or Gmail API
- Files: Read/write to Obsidian vault and GitHub repos
- Web: Fetch and analyze URLs, search the web
- Git: Full version control, commits, pushes
- Shell: Run scripts, package skills, system automation
SKILL ARCHITECTURE
Ed's skills follow a three-layer pattern:
The Three Layers
| Layer | What It Is | Who Maintains | |-------|------------|---------------| | Tools | Python scripts, APIs, Bash | Hidden inside skills | | Skills | SKILL.md with instructions | Edit markdown to change | | Agents | Orchestrators pulling skills | Reference skills, not tools |
Skills Own Their Tools
- Python scripts live in
skills/<name>/tools/ - SKILL.md tells Claude how to run them
- Agents reference skills, not tools directly
Context Propagation
When writing content:
- Audience should be established early (ask if not specified)
- Pass context to downstream skills (hook-stack, slop-detector)
- Store in article frontmatter for visibility
The Newsletter Pipeline
- Input (YouTube URL, topic, experience)
- Establish audience (ask if not specified)
- Extract/analyze content
- Generate headlines with audience context
- Score with Hook Stack (12+ required)
- Draft article in Ed's voice
- Run through slop detector
- Save to Zettelkasten with metadata
Runtime Differences
Skills must account for which Claude runtime executes them:
| Capability | Claude Code (CLI) | Claude.ai (Mac/Web) | |------------|-------------------|---------------------| | Filesystem | Full access | Sandboxed | | External APIs | Yes (curl, WebFetch) | Blocked by sandbox | | Bash/Python | Yes | No | | MCP Servers | Supported | Primary method for external data | | Best for | Automation, building | Conversation, local-tool skills |
Design implications:
- Claude Code skills can use deployed APIs (Vercel, etc.)
- Claude.ai skills should either:
- Include all tools locally (
tools/folder with scripts) - Use MCP servers for external data access
- Accept manual paste as fallback
- Include all tools locally (
Example: youtube-processor has both local Python script (Claude Code) and Vercel API (doesn't work in Claude.ai due to sandbox - future MCP solution planned).
CURRENT FOCUS AREAS
Powerhouse Lab (This Repo)
Ed's Leverage Skunkworks where AI tools get built, tested, and validated.
Lifecycle:
prototypes/ → skills/ → [Own Repo]
↓
archive/ (kill rule applied)
The Little Blue Report
Ed's Substack newsletter. Educational content drawn from daily experiences.
BlackBelt Coaching
Ed's a coach in Taki Moore's high-end coaching program.
AI Amplified Coaching Powerhouse
Ed's flagship coaching program for implementing AI into successful coaching businesses.
WHEN TO USE THIS SKILL
Activate this context when:
- Working on any Ed project
- Writing content in Ed's voice
- Building tools for the coaching business
- Discussing strategy or positioning
- Creating materials for clients
- Anytime you need to understand Ed's world
UPDATING THIS CONTEXT
Ed can update this skill anytime by saying:
- "Update my mission context to include..."
- "Add this to my terminology..."
- "Change my current focus to..."
When Ed requests changes, edit this SKILL.md file directly.
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/mission-context-ed-dale-msfn18xj/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/mission-context-ed-dale-msfn18xj' && curl --fail --show-error --location 'https://skills-guides.com/api/skills/mission-context-ed-dale-msfn18xj/download' --output '.skill-downloads/mission-context-ed-dale-msfn18xj/SKILL.md.part' && mv '.skill-downloads/mission-context-ed-dale-msfn18xj/SKILL.md.part' '.skill-downloads/mission-context-ed-dale-msfn18xj/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.
Tools declared by the author (check availability in your agent): Read, Glob, Grep, WebSearch, WebFetch, Write, Edit
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/mission-context-ed-dale-msfn18xj/SKILL.md' && test -s '.skill-downloads/mission-context-ed-dale-msfn18xj/SKILL.md' && mkdir -p '.claude/skills' && test ! -e '.claude/skills/mission-context' && cp -R '.skill-downloads/mission-context-ed-dale-msfn18xj' '.claude/skills/mission-context'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/mission-context-ed-dale-msfn18xj'openskills read 'mission-context-ed-dale-msfn18xj'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/mission-context-ed-dale-msfn18xj/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.
Writing Fragments
Content
Mine raw writing fragments through a relentless interview, without imposing structure. Capture ideas, quotes, and leading words for later use.
UI Copywriting & Auditing
Content
Write or audit user-facing UI copy including buttons, errors, empty states, and tooltips across the monorepo, following the design system source of truth.
Music MIDI Extraction
Content
Extracts the MIDI or score from an existing music production via the CogMusic MCP tool and confirms availability.