Avoid Scope Creep logo

Avoid Scope Creep

OrganizationPopular
aiming-lab
avoid-scope-creep

Common mistake — doing unrequested work (refactoring, adding extra features, cleaning up style) when the user asked for a specific, targeted change. Only change what was explicitly asked.

Overview

Publisheraiming-lab
RepositoryMetaClaw
Skill nameavoid-scope-creep
Stars
3.5K
Forks
454
Bundled files
Instructions only
LicenseMIT
Links
Skill sourceRepositoryHomepage
  • Markdown instructions

    A SKILL.md file the model loads on demand, so it only costs tokens when a request actually matches.

  • Works with any LLM

    AI skills are plain Markdown, not provider-specific code, so this works with GPT, Claude, Gemini, Grok, or a local model.

  • Self-contained

    Everything the model needs lives in the instructions — no extra files to sync.

  • Open source

    Published by aiming-lab on GitHub. Read the source before you install it.

Installation

Install the Avoid Scope Creep AI skill in TypingMind to use it with any LLM, or drop it into another agent that reads SKILL.md.

1

Install in TypingMind

TypingMind installs a skill straight from its GitHub folder — it reads SKILL.md, bundles the resource files, and stores the result locally.

  1. Open the app and go to Plugins → Skills.
  2. Choose "Install from GitHub".
  3. Paste the skill folder URL below and confirm.
  4. Enable the skill in any chat where you want it available.
Plugins → Skills → Add skill → From GitHub URL, then paste the folder URL and press Continue.
2

Install in another agent

Any agent that reads the Agent Skills format can use this skill — copy the folder into that agent's skills directory.

Claude Code — .claude/skills
git clone --depth 1 https://github.com/aiming-lab/MetaClaw.git /tmp/MetaClaw
mkdir -p .claude/skills
cp -r /tmp/MetaClaw/memory_data/skills/avoid-scope-creep .claude/skills/avoid-scope-creep
Restart Claude Code after copying so it picks up the new skill.

Use it in TypingMind

Enable Avoid Scope Creep in any TypingMind chat and the model takes it from there. Its name and description sit in the system prompt, and the moment a request matches, the model loads the full instructions itself — you never invoke it by hand, and it costs no tokens until it is actually used.

The model loads Avoid Scope Creep on its own as soon as a request matches it.

Works with any AI model

AI skills are plain Markdown instructions rather than provider-specific code, so Avoid Scope Creep is not tied to the model it was written for. Install it once in TypingMind and use it with GPT-5, Claude, Gemini, Grok, DeepSeek, Mistral, Llama, or a local model you run yourself — all on your own API keys.

  • Loaded only when it is needed

    The system prompt carries just the name and description. The instructions are fetched on the first matching request, so an idle skill costs nothing.

  • Switch models mid-chat

    Because the skill is instructions rather than code, changing model does not break it — the next model reads the same SKILL.md.

Skill instructions

This is the SKILL.md content the model loads. Read it before installing — a skill is instructions your model will follow.

Avoid Scope Creep

Mistake pattern: User asks to fix a specific bug → you also refactor the function, rename variables, add docstrings, and restructure the file → harder to review, introduces new risk.

Rule: Only change what was asked. If you notice other issues while working, mention them as a note rather than silently fixing them.

Exception: If a requested change is impossible without fixing a directly blocking dependency, fix the minimum required dependency and explain why.

Anti-pattern: while I'm here, I also improved... without being asked.

Frequently asked questions

What does the Avoid Scope Creep AI skill do?

Common mistake — doing unrequested work (refactoring, adding extra features, cleaning up style) when the user asked for a specific, targeted change. Only change what was explicitly asked.

Why use Avoid Scope Creep on TypingMind?

Because you install it once and use it with any model. Avoid Scope Creep is plain Markdown rather than provider-specific code, so the same skill runs on GPT-5, Claude, Gemini, Grok, or a local model — and you can switch model mid-chat without it breaking. TypingMind runs on your own API keys, so you pay providers directly instead of a per-seat subscription, and your skills and chats stay in your own storage.

How do I install Avoid Scope Creep in TypingMind?

Open Plugins → Skills → Install from GitHub in TypingMind and paste https://github.com/aiming-lab/MetaClaw/tree/main/memory_data/skills/avoid-scope-creep. TypingMind reads its SKILL.md and installs it as a skill you can enable per chat.

Which AI models can use Avoid Scope Creep?

Any model you connect in TypingMind. AI skills are plain Markdown instructions rather than provider-specific code, so GPT, Claude, Gemini, Grok, and local models can all load this skill when a request matches it.

How many AI models can I use with Avoid Scope Creep?

As many as you like. As long as a model supports skills, you can use Avoid Scope Creep with it — GPT, Claude, Gemini, Grok, DeepSeek, Mistral, Llama and more — all on TypingMind with your own API keys.

Is the Avoid Scope Creep AI skill free?

Yes. It is published on GitHub by aiming-lab under the MIT license. You only pay your own AI provider for the tokens you use.

What are AI skills?

An AI skill is a reusable instruction bundle that teaches an AI model how to do one specific task. It follows the open Agent Skills format: a SKILL.md file with a name and description, plus any scripts, templates or reference files the model may need. The model reads the instructions only when your request matches the skill, so an installed skill costs nothing until it is used.

How are AI skills different from plugins or MCP servers?

A plugin or MCP server gives a model new tools to call — code that runs somewhere and returns a result. An AI skill gives the model knowledge and process instead: how to approach a task, which steps to follow, what good output looks like. Skills are plain Markdown, so they need no server, no API key and no runtime, and they work with any model.

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