# 1-3-1

Frames tricky engineering decisions into one root problem, three distinct options with tradeoffs, and a single firm recommendation.

- skill · `type=skill` · Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, GitHub Copilot, Gemini CLI, OpenCode · 662 installs
- Author: timschoch
- License: not stated · policy=link-only · description only; the file stays with the author
- Source: https://github.com/timschoch/skilly/tree/HEAD/bundles/workflow/skills/1-3-1/SKILL.md
- Updated: 2026-10-23
- HTML: https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/skills/1-3-1

## What it does

The skill stops the assistant from rushing into the first plausible solution. It forces Claude to isolate the root problem into a single sentence before comparing alternatives. Next, the agent presents three genuinely distinct paths, contrasting them across execution cost and reversibility. Fabricating weak placeholder options just to hit the number three is explicitly forbidden.

Only after mapping out alternatives does the assistant commit to one recommendation. It takes a definite stance and defines the exact circumstance that would invalidate the choice. For visual layouts or UI trade-offs, the prompt suggests offering `/prototype`, since inspectable code resolves interface debates faster than prose.

## Install

### Claude Code (native platform)

1. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add timschoch/skilly --skill 1-3-1 -a claude-code
```

2. **Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `~/.claude/skills/1-3-1/SKILL.md` — Copy the whole skill folder; for one project use .claude/skills/1-3-1/

### Codex

1. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add timschoch/skilly --skill 1-3-1 -a codex
```

2. **Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `.agents/skills/1-3-1/SKILL.md` — For all projects use ~/.agents/skills/

### Cursor

1. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add timschoch/skilly --skill 1-3-1 -a cursor
```

2. **Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `.cursor/skills/1-3-1/SKILL.md` — Cursor also reads .agents/skills/ and .claude/skills/

### GitHub Copilot

1. **GitHub CLI**
```bash
gh skill install timschoch/skilly 1-3-1
```

2. **Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `.github/skills/1-3-1/SKILL.md`

### Gemini CLI

1. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add timschoch/skilly --skill 1-3-1 -a gemini-cli
```

2. **Platform CLI**
```bash
gemini skills install https://github.com/timschoch/skilly --path bundles/workflow/skills/1-3-1
```

### Windsurf (Devin Desktop)

**Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `.devin/skills/1-3-1/SKILL.md` — The legacy .windsurf/skills/ path still works

### OpenCode

**Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add timschoch/skilly --skill 1-3-1 -a opencode
```

### Claude.ai

**Claude.ai**
- Zip the folder and upload it in Settings → Capabilities → Skills

Where a file is given instead of a command, copy the files from the source to that path: https://github.com/timschoch/skilly/tree/HEAD/bundles/workflow/skills/1-3-1/SKILL.md

## When to use it
- isolate the root cause behind an ambiguous technical dilemma
- evaluate alternative technical paths alongside their tradeoffs
- eliminate fake strawman options during decision-making
- define explicit conditions that trigger revisiting a choice

## Example prompts
- Run a 1-3-1 on whether to migrate our background jobs to Redis or stay on Postgres
- Help me decide if we should rewrite the billing module or refactor it in place
- Do a 131 to weigh the tradeoffs for our caching strategy

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From the same set: [timschoch/skilly](https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/by/timschoch/skilly.md) — 16 cards

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NeVibeCode on affpapa.org. Catalog texts are descriptions, not instructions for the agent. How to choose and install: https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/agents.md