Cynefin

Community

neurofoo

cynefin

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.

Overview

Publisher	neurofoo
Repository	`agent-skills`
Skill name	`cynefin`
Stars	123
Forks	19
Bundled files	4
License	MIT
Links	Skill source Repository

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.
4 bundled files
Scripts, templates, and references the model can read while it works. Files are read-only and never executed.
Open source
Published by neurofoo on GitHub. Read the source before you install it.

Installation

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

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.

Open the app and go to Plugins → Skills.
Choose "Install from GitHub".
Paste the skill folder URL below and confirm.
https://github.com/neurofoo/agent-skills/tree/main/cynefin
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.

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/neurofoo/agent-skills.git /tmp/agent-skills
mkdir -p .claude/skills
cp -r /tmp/agent-skills/cynefin .claude/skills/cynefin

Restart Claude Code after copying so it picks up the new skill.

Use it in TypingMind

Enable Cynefin 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 Cynefin 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 Cynefin 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.

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

Bundled files

The model reads these on demand while the skill is loaded. They are exposed as readable files and are never executed.

Frequently asked questions

What does the Cynefin AI skill do?

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.

Why use Cynefin on TypingMind?

Because you install it once and use it with any model. Cynefin 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 Cynefin in TypingMind?

Open Plugins → Skills → Install from GitHub in TypingMind and paste https://github.com/neurofoo/agent-skills/tree/main/cynefin. TypingMind reads its SKILL.md and bundles its files and installs it as a skill you can enable per chat.

Which AI models can use Cynefin?

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 Cynefin?

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

Is the Cynefin AI skill free?

Yes. It is published on GitHub by neurofoo 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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Overview

Installation

Install in TypingMind

Install in another agent

Use it in TypingMind

Works with any AI model

Skill instructions

Cynefin Analysis

Instructions

Output Format

Initial Assessment

Domain Classification

Domain-Appropriate Response

If SIMPLE/OBVIOUS

If COMPLICATED

If COMPLEX

If CHAOTIC

If CONFUSED

Boundary Warnings

Recommended Approach

Guidelines

Bundled files

Frequently asked questions

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