Skills Management · Detailed guide · verified 2026-08-27

superpowers:Detailed Guide

14 composable skills plus a software development methodology for structured, AI-driven coding workflows.

Superpowers Detailed Guide

Version 6.3.0 | category skills | security green (reviewed) | sources: official README + measured in this marketplace (2026-08-27)
Companion: site docs (manifest + guide.md + connectivity evidence) | quick version: site docs

1. When to use it

Superpowers (by obra, MIT, ~279k stars) is an Agent skill framework + software development methodology. 14 composable skills turn a coding Agent from "write code immediately" into "think first, then act": align requirements and design first, then produce an implementation plan, then execute task by task in a subagent-driven way with review and verification.

  • Form: pure skill pack (a collection of SKILL.md files), no CLI / daemon / port / network calls
  • How it runs: skills are triggered automatically by the Agent based on their description; no user-facing command entry

What this tool solves: making your Agent work by software engineering methodology — design before code, test-driven development, systematic debugging, subagent-driven development. Superpowers is a methodology framework of 14 composable skills: the Agent auto-triggers skills by the SKILL.md description (e.g. brainstorming + TDD automatically before writing code).

When to use it:

  • You want the Agent's coding behavior to go from "write directly" to "think first, then write";
  • You want this methodology set: brainstorming / test-driven-development / systematic-debugging / subagent-driven-development;
  • You're on Codex (official Codex form = copy skills/ to ~/.codex/skills/superpowers, verified in this environment).

When not to use it: you only want tools, not methodology constraints — it changes how the Agent works (that's the design intent).

Notes: pure skill package — no CLI/daemon/port; install = copy the skills directory; skills are auto-triggered by the Agent, no manual commands.

2. Capability list

SkillPurpose
brainstormingAlign requirements and design before coding (HARD-GATE: no code without confirmation)
test-driven-developmentRed-green TDD workflow
systematic-debuggingSystematic debugging process
subagent-driven-developmentSubagent-driven per-task execution + review + verification
using-git-worktreesParallel git worktree branch workflows
The other 9Planning / building / reviewing / shipping lifecycle skills (auto-loaded per task)

3. Quick install

note: official Codex form (verified in this environment); GitHub direct works on mainland and abroad (codeload 1.7s, probe 2026-08-27)
# Source: Trove detailed guide · verified 2026-08-27
curl -sL -o /tmp/superpowers.tar.gz https://codeload.github.com/obra/superpowers/tar.gz/refs/tags/v6.3.0
rm -rf /tmp/superpowers-src && mkdir -p /tmp/superpowers-src
tar xzf /tmp/superpowers.tar.gz -C /tmp/superpowers-src --strip-components=1
mkdir -p ~/.codex/skills && cp -r /tmp/superpowers-src/skills ~/.codex/skills/superpowers
test -f ~/.codex/skills/superpowers/brainstorming/SKILL.md && echo "superpowers installed: OK"

Expected output: superpowers installed: OK

Step 1: Confirm the skill directory is in place

Why: install is a plain file copy — files on disk means installed. test -f marker file exists + the directory listing includes the core skill directories.

# Source: Trove detailed guide · verified 2026-08-27
test -f ~/.codex/skills/superpowers/brainstorming/SKILL.md && echo "installed: OK" || echo "installed: MISSING"
ls ~/.codex/skills/superpowers

Expected output: installed: OK + 14 个技能目录(brainstorming / test-driven-development / systematic-debugging / subagent-driven-development 等)

Stuck? How to recover:

  • directories incomplete → redo the copy in Step 1 of "Step by step";
  • skills not active → confirm they were copied to the skill directory the Agent actually reads (Codex: ~/.codex/skills/).

Step 2: Confirm the Agent can trigger (optional)

Why: skills are auto-triggered by the Agent, no manual commands; in a new session, ask the Agent to handle a matching scenario (e.g. a debugging task) — if it references brainstorming/systematic-debugging, the path is confirmed.

# Source: Trove detailed guide · verified 2026-08-27
# 无命令:新建会话让 Agent 触发技能即可

Expected output: Agent 会话中技能被自动引用(无需手动调用)

Stuck? How to recover:

  • Agent doesn't reference skills → confirm the skill directory is on the Agent's actual read path (~/.codex/skills/), restart the session if needed.

Install variants

PathCommandMeasured
Direct (Codex form)See quick guide install section✅ measured here (codeload 1.7s)
Claude Code formOfficial plugin marketplace install, or copy skills to ~/.claude/skills/❌ not measured (not logged into the official marketplace here)
MirrorNot needed (direct works); switch to gh-proxy prefix if the network is abnormalnot measured
  • Update: re-download and overwrite the fixed tag (v6.3.0, no drift); reinstalling overwrites the same-named directory.
  • Claude form: official plugin marketplace (not tested — not logged in) or manual copy to ~/.claude/skills/superpowers; judged possible-conflict with ruflo (Claude form shares the ~/.claude/skills write surface, not tested) — prefer the Codex form when installing ruflo.
  • Network: codeload direct verified 1.7s (works on mainland and abroad), generally no mirror needed.
  • Write surface: ~/.codex/skills/superpowers/ (plain file copy; no dependencies, no registration, no background process).

4. Why this happens (mechanism & shared surface)

How it works: the official Codex form = copy the repo's skills/ to ~/.codex/skills/superpowers (plain file copy, 14 skill directories + SKILL.md). After install the Agent auto-triggers skills by description. Method B: the official Claude Code plugin marketplace (/plugin install superpowers, not tested — not logged in).

Key concepts:

  • Auto-trigger: the Agent reads the SKILL.md description and loads the skill when a task matches;
  • Methodology skills: brainstorming / TDD / systematic-debugging / subagent-driven-development, 14 in total;
  • Same-directory write surface: skill subdirectory names are unique; another skill set with the same name overwrites when installed later.

Where it writes: ~/.codex/skills/superpowers/ (Codex form); the Claude form writes ~/.claude/skills/ or via plugin registration.

  • ~/.codex/skills/superpowers/: 14 skill directories (this form measured, pure files)
  • Claude Code form: ~/.claude/skills/ (inferred)
  • Does not write: config files, registries, ports, background processes

5. Common operations

Step 1: Copy the skill directory (why direct copy: pure-file skill package, no dependencies, no registration)

Why: download the tarball pinned at tag v6.3.0 (fixed tag, no drift), extract, copy skills/ to ~/.codex/skills/superpowers. Reinstalling overwrites the same-named directory. Install = plain file copy, no dependencies, no registration, no background process.

# Source: Trove detailed guide · verified 2026-08-27
curl -sL -o /tmp/superpowers.tar.gz https://codeload.github.com/obra/superpowers/tar.gz/refs/tags/v6.3.0
rm -rf /tmp/superpowers-src && mkdir -p /tmp/superpowers-src
tar xzf /tmp/superpowers.tar.gz -C /tmp/superpowers-src --strip-components=1
mkdir -p ~/.codex/skills && cp -r /tmp/superpowers-src/skills ~/.codex/skills/superpowers
test -f ~/.codex/skills/superpowers/brainstorming/SKILL.md && echo "superpowers installed: OK"

Expected output: superpowers installed: OK

After install, confirm:

  • output shows superpowers installed: OK;
  • ls ~/.codex/skills/superpowers has 14 skill directories.

Stuck? How to recover:

  • codeload download failed → retry on another network (codeload direct verified 1.7s, generally reachable);
  • skills not active → confirm they were copied to the skill directory the Agent actually reads (Codex: ~/.codex/skills/).

Step 2: Confirm the skills are in place (verified in this environment)

Why: list the skill directories to confirm the 14 skills; skills are auto-triggered by the Agent, no manual commands.

# Source: Trove detailed guide · verified 2026-08-27
ls ~/.codex/skills/superpowers

Expected output: 14 个技能目录(brainstorming / test-driven-development / systematic-debugging / subagent-driven-development 等)

After install, confirm:

  • output includes brainstorming, test-driven-development etc.

Stuck? How to recover:

  • directories incomplete → redo the copy in Step 1.

Step 3: Update to the latest (re-download and overwrite) or install the Claude form (as needed)

Why: update = re-download and overwrite (fixed tag, no drift); the Claude Code form uses the official plugin marketplace (not tested — not logged in); you can also manually copy to ~/.claude/skills/superpowers.

# Source: Trove detailed guide · verified 2026-08-27
curl -sL -o /tmp/superpowers.tar.gz https://codeload.github.com/obra/superpowers/tar.gz/refs/tags/v6.3.0 && rm -rf /tmp/superpowers-src && mkdir -p /tmp/superpowers-src && tar xzf /tmp/superpowers.tar.gz -C /tmp/superpowers-src --strip-components=1 && cp -r /tmp/superpowers-src/skills ~/.codex/skills/superpowers && echo "updated: OK"

Expected output: updated: OK

Claude form check:

# Source: Trove detailed guide · verified 2026-08-27
ls ~/.claude/skills/superpowers 2>/dev/null || echo "未安装 Claude 形态"

Expected output: 目录列表或未安装提示

Stuck? How to recover:

  • download failed → retry on another network (codeload direct verified 1.7s);
  • Claude plugin form won't install → confirm Claude Code is logged in (not tested in this environment).

Startup and entry

No startup; skills are auto-triggered by the Agent as needed (decided by the SKILL.md description).

Common operations

Operation 1: Confirm installed skills

# Source: Trove detailed guide · verified 2026-08-27
ls ~/.codex/skills/superpowers

Expected output: 14 个技能目录(brainstorming / test-driven-development / systematic-debugging / subagent-driven-development 等)

Operation 2: Update to the latest (re-download and overwrite)

# Source: Trove detailed guide · verified 2026-08-27
curl -sL -o /tmp/superpowers.tar.gz https://codeload.github.com/obra/superpowers/tar.gz/refs/tags/v6.3.0 && rm -rf /tmp/superpowers-src && mkdir -p /tmp/superpowers-src && tar xzf /tmp/superpowers.tar.gz -C /tmp/superpowers-src --strip-components=1 && cp -r /tmp/superpowers-src/skills ~/.codex/skills/superpowers && echo "updated: OK"

Expected output: updated: OK

Operation 3: Check whether the Claude form was installed

# Source: Trove detailed guide · verified 2026-08-27
ls ~/.claude/skills/superpowers 2>/dev/null || echo "未安装 Claude 形态"

Expected output: 目录列表或未安装提示

Data and directories

  • Skill directory: ~/.codex/skills/superpowers/ (Codex form);
  • Claude form: ~/.claude/skills/superpowers or plugin registration.

6. Conflict pairs (summary)

Same source as the tool-page matrix — 4 pairs total (0 measured compatible / 3 inferred possibly compatible / 1 inferred possibly conflicting); full pairs, states and evidence: Conflict pairs (co-install matrix).

7. Quick troubleshooting

  • Skills not triggering: confirm ~/.codex/skills/superpowers exists and contains SKILL.md; restart the session so the Agent reloads skills
  • Same-name skill overwritten: the later install overwrites (e.g. brainstorming); reinstall after uninstall to restore

8. Uninstall and residue check

# Source: Trove detailed guide · verified 2026-08-27
rm -rf ~/.codex/skills/superpowers
test ! -e ~/.codex/skills/superpowers && echo "zero residue: OK"

The Claude Code form also needs ~/.claude/skills/superpowers removed (if present).

note: pure-file skill package — deleting the skill directory is zero-residue; the marketplace one-click uninstall runs it automatically
# Source: Trove detailed guide · verified 2026-08-27
rm -rf ~/.codex/skills/superpowers
test ! -d ~/.codex/skills/superpowers && echo "superpowers removed: OK" || echo "残留: superpowers 仍存在"

Expected output: superpowers removed: OK

Manual checklist (if you installed other forms):

  • ~/.claude/skills/superpowers (manual copy form for Claude Code)
  • Claude Code /plugins installed plugins (use /plugin uninstall superpowers)
  • Other harnesses (Cursor/Gemini/Copilot etc.): remove via that platform's plugin management

9. FAQ

  • Q: No effect after install? A: Skills trigger automatically; just give the Agent a normal request; it aligning design first is expected behavior
  • Q: Conflicts with other skill packs? A: Same-name directories overwrite each other; different names generally don't conflict (pure file copies)
  • Q: Will it touch my config? A: No. It only copies the skills directory, writes no config files, opens no ports
  • Q: Anything to configure after install? A: No. Skills are auto-triggered by the Agent as needed (decided by the SKILL.md description), no config file.
  • Q: Will it affect my existing skills? A: superpowers skill subdirectory names are unique (e.g. brainstorming); if another skill set has a same-named skill, the later install overwrites (same-directory write surface) — check existing skill names under ~/.codex/skills first.
  • Q: Why did my Agent's behavior change? A: That's expected — superpowers is a methodology framework (design before code, TDD, subagent-driven) and changes how the Agent works.
  • Q: Updates are fast — how is the version locked? A: this entry locks 6.3.0 (manifest version_range single version); install commands pin the tag, no drift.
  • Q: Can it coexist with other plugins? A: possible-compatible with omc/agt/deepcode (no shared write surface); possible-conflict with ruflo (Claude form shares the ~/.claude/skills write surface, not tested) — prefer the Codex form when installing ruflo.
  • Q: Where to report problems? A: install/uninstall issues on this marketplace go through the entry feedback channel (usage-report template); project issues go to the author's repository.
  • Version: [6.3.0, 6.3.0] locked (verified collection version; install commands pin the tag, no drift).
  • Environment: no runtime requirements; the Codex form needs ~/.codex/skills writable.
  • Network: codeload direct verified 1.7s (works on mainland and abroad).
  • Write surface: ~/.codex/skills/superpowers/ (plain file copy; reinstalling overwrites the same-named directory).
  • Co-install: judged possible-compatible with omc/agt/deepcode (no shared write surface); judged possible-conflict with ruflo (Claude form shares the ~/.claude/skills write surface, not tested) — prefer the Codex form when installing ruflo.

10. Sources

  • Verified: local repro log (2026-08-27, codeload download + copy + skills in place smoke).
  • Not tested: Claude Code plugin form (not logged in); skill auto-trigger behavior (needs a real Agent session to observe).

External tutorials (unverified)

Third-party tutorials are not individually verified; check against this page and official docs.

  • 官方 README(codeload tarball v6.3.0,2026-08-31 结构实测):Superpowers 完整用法 [官方文档 · Superpowers 官方 · 2026-08-31(tag v6.3.0)]
    官方用法全解——安装(Claude Code 插件市场 / 多 Agent 市场:.agents/.claude-plugin/.codex-plugin/.cursor-plugin/.devin-plugin)、基本工作流(plan → execute → review)、14 个技能(brainstorming/dispatching-parallel-agents/executing-plans/systematic-debugging/test-driven-development/using-git-worktrees/writing-plans 等)、更新方式、视觉伴生遥测说明

Merged sources

This page merges multiple source articles — deduplicated by content hash, measured, and rewritten by AI. Sources are not scattered; they all live on this single page.

SourceStatusMerged into
guide.md (Agent executable)absorbed and merged

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