# dotfile-hone

Refines pipeline DOT files against original specs to fix graph bottlenecks and prevent prompt information loss. Useful right after structural validation.

- skill · `type=skill` · Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, GitHub Copilot, Gemini CLI, OpenCode · ★ 336
- Author: harperreed
- License: not stated · policy=link-only · description only; the file stays with the author
- Source: https://github.com/harperreed/dotfiles/tree/HEAD/.claude/skills-archive/dot-file-hone/SKILL.md
- Updated: 2026-10-15
- HTML: https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/skills/dotfile-hone

## What it does

The skill performs a four-pass refinement on task graphs formatted as DOT files. First, it inspects execution flows to isolate false sequential steps and bulky join nodes. Replacing broad fan-in checkpoints with selective joins prevents independent tracks from waiting on each other.

During the second pass, a subagent reverse-engineers a project specification directly from the prompt text inside the DOT file. Comparing that draft against the original design document uncovers dropped collections, enums, or permissions. The skill then embeds these critical rules straight into component prompts.

Without a source design document, this review cannot function. Honing also requires that the pipeline has already passed structural validation in `dotfile-audit`.

## Install

### Claude Code (native platform)

1. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add harperreed/dotfiles --skill dot-file-hone -a claude-code
```

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

### Codex

1. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add harperreed/dotfiles --skill dot-file-hone -a codex
```

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

### Cursor

1. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add harperreed/dotfiles --skill dot-file-hone -a cursor
```

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

### GitHub Copilot

1. **GitHub CLI**
```bash
gh skill install harperreed/dotfiles dot-file-hone
```

2. **Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `.github/skills/dot-file-hone/SKILL.md`

### Gemini CLI

1. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add harperreed/dotfiles --skill dot-file-hone -a gemini-cli
```

2. **Platform CLI**
```bash
gemini skills install https://github.com/harperreed/dotfiles --path .claude/skills-archive/dot-file-hone
```

### Windsurf (Devin Desktop)

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

### OpenCode

**Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add harperreed/dotfiles --skill dot-file-hone -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/harperreed/dotfiles/tree/HEAD/.claude/skills-archive/dot-file-hone/SKILL.md

## When to use it
- remove artificial sequential dependencies in execution graphs
- catch dropped spec requirements via reverse prompting
- embed data schemas and permissions into component prompts
- split monolithic join nodes into selective dependencies

## Example prompts
- Hone the task graph in pipeline.dot against docs/spec.md
- Run a reverse spec test on build.dot to find missing invariants

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From the same set: [harperreed/dotfiles](https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/by/harperreed/dotfiles.md) — 26 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