Originality Check

Community

rshankras

originality-check

Guideline-4.3 anti-spam / originality gate — score whether an app (and each portfolio addition) is meaningfully distinct in function, content, and metadata before you invest or submit. Use at validation/new-app time and again before submission. Protects the whole developer account from 4.3 (spam/duplicate) rejections. NOT rejection-handler (that works an existing rejection) and NOT competitive-analysis (that positions in the market).

Overview

Publisher	rshankras
Repository	`claude-code-apple-skills`
Skill name	`originality-check`
Stars	744
Forks	70
Bundled files	Instructions only
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.
Self-contained
Everything the model needs lives in the instructions — no extra files to sync.
Open source
Published by rshankras on GitHub. Read the source before you install it.

Installation

Install the Originality Check 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.
Enable the skill in any chat where you want it available.

Store

Installed

Skills

Add skills

Import one or more skills from a public GitHub folder or a local .skill or .zip archive, or SKILL.md file.

From GitHub URLFrom .skill, .zip, or SKILL.md

GitHub repo or folder

https://github.com/rshankras/claude-code-apple-skills/tree/main/skills/app-store/originality-check

Points to a single skill folder, or any folder that contains multiple skills. Public repos only.

CancelContinue

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/rshankras/claude-code-apple-skills.git /tmp/claude-code-apple-skills
mkdir -p .claude/skills
cp -r /tmp/claude-code-apple-skills/skills/app-store/originality-check .claude/skills/originality-check

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

Use it in TypingMind

Enable Originality Check 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 Originality Check 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 Originality Check 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.

Originality Check

Decide, with evidence, whether an app is distinct enough to exist — before you build it or submit it.

At portfolio scale, shipping many similar small apps risks Guideline 4.3 (spam / duplicate) — this is the go/no-go distinctness gate that keeps that from happening.

Where it fits (read the seams)

Not rejection-handler. That works a rejection you already have. This is upstream — it prevents the 4.3 by catching sameness before you ship.
Not competitive-analysis / market-research. Those size demand and position you in the market. This judges distinctness (function + content + metadata) vs your own portfolio and vs near-identical competitors — a spam risk, not a demand question.
Two moments to run it: at validate / new-app (don't build a dup) and before submit (don't trip 4.3). Also periodically across the portfolio (internal cannibalization / template-sameness).

Prerequisites

The app idea or a shipped app to evaluate (name, one-line function, target metadata).
Optional: .planning/VALIDATION.md (competitor + market data). If missing/stale, gather fresh via WebSearch or the product/competitive-analysis skill.
Optional ASC access to read the developer's existing portfolio (list_apps / get_metadata).

Flow

Internal check (your own portfolio). list_apps → for each shipped app read its positioning (get_metadata). Does the candidate overlap one you already ship in function, code template, or metadata? Two apps that differ only in theme/reskin = 4.3 risk.
External check (the market). Read VALIDATION.md if present; otherwise WebSearch for close look-alikes. Judge: is the core function a thin reskin of an existing app, or a genuine wedge?

Distinctness scorecard. Score each dimension meaningful difference vs cosmetic, and flag any that is only skin-deep:

Dimension	Distinct if…
Function	it does something materially different, not a template swap
Content / data	unique data or content, not a generic wrapper
Metadata	name / keywords / screenshots not near-identical to siblings or competitors
UX / value	a real reason a user picks this one

Verdict + remedy.
- Distinct → proceed.
- Borderline → give concrete ways to differentiate (merge sibling apps into one configurable app, add the unique wedge, or drop it); if approved, name the specific wedge that MUST be built to clear 4.3.
- Duplicate → recommend not shipping; consolidate any existing thin apps into one strong app instead.
Record. Write the verdict + reasoning to .planning/ (VALIDATION or STATE). For a borderline-approved app, record the wedge as a build requirement so plan/build deliver it.

Done

A written verdict (distinct / borderline+wedge / duplicate) with per-dimension reasoning, and — if borderline — the specific differentiation that must ship before submission.

Caveats

Cosmetic theming ≠ differentiation — Apple judges function + metadata similarity, not intent.
Protect the account. When in doubt between "borderline ship" and "consolidate," prefer one strong app over several thin ones.
Guideline numbers/text drift — confirm current 4.3 wording at the App Review Guidelines (captured 2026-07).

Frequently asked questions

What does the Originality Check AI skill do?

Why use Originality Check on TypingMind?

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

Open Plugins → Skills → Install from GitHub in TypingMind and paste https://github.com/rshankras/claude-code-apple-skills/tree/main/skills/app-store/originality-check. TypingMind reads its SKILL.md and installs it as a skill you can enable per chat.

Which AI models can use Originality Check?

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 Originality Check?

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

Is the Originality Check AI skill free?

Yes. It is published on GitHub by rshankras 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

Originality Check

Where it fits (read the seams)

Prerequisites

Flow

Done

Caveats

Frequently asked questions

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