# retro

Runs a guided session over the ax agent-experience graph. Shows open proposals, pending verdicts, and hook effectiveness signals.

- skill · `type=skill` · Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, GitHub Copilot, Gemini CLI, OpenCode · ★ 121
- Author: Necmttn
- License: AGPL-3.0 · policy=link-only · description only; the file stays with the author
- Source: https://github.com/Necmttn/ax/tree/HEAD/skills/retro/SKILL.md
- Updated: 2026-10-07
- HTML: https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/skills/necmttn-retro

## What it does

Fires on `/ax:retro` or phrases like "ax retrospective", "review my ax proposals", "triage proposals". Reads data via `ax improve` and `ax hooks`, lists proposals by frequency and confidence. Each proposal is a hypothesis about where the agent can improve: add a pre-tool guard, reduce recurring user corrections, or eliminate a friction pattern.

Starts with `ax improve checkpoint` to snapshot measurements. Then shows open proposals (skill or guidance form), experiments awaiting verdict, and a hook summary for the last seven days. The user decides per row: accept with scaffolding, reject, or confirm the suggested verdict.

Requires `axctl` on `PATH` and configured DuckDB dylib. Without them, `ax improve list` fails and the skill stops with a pointer to `docs/development.md#setup`. Does not fire on generic phrases like "look at my recent work" — only on explicit retro triggers.

## Install

### Claude Code (native platform)

1. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add Necmttn/ax --skill retro -a claude-code
```

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

### Codex

1. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add Necmttn/ax --skill retro -a codex
```

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

### Cursor

1. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add Necmttn/ax --skill retro -a cursor
```

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

### GitHub Copilot

1. **GitHub CLI**
```bash
gh skill install Necmttn/ax retro
```

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

### Gemini CLI

1. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add Necmttn/ax --skill retro -a gemini-cli
```

2. **Platform CLI**
```bash
gemini skills install https://github.com/Necmttn/ax --path skills/retro
```

### Windsurf (Devin Desktop)

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

### OpenCode

**Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add Necmttn/ax --skill retro -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/Necmttn/ax/tree/HEAD/skills/retro/SKILL.md

## When to use it
- triage the queue of agent improvement proposals
- lock verdicts for finished experiments
- review hook effectiveness over the past week
- drain backlog retros from previous sessions

## Example prompts
- Run an `ax retro` and show me the open proposals
- Start an ax retrospective, I want to lock the pending verdicts
- Check experiment loop status and list what needs a decision

## Similar
- [setup-matt-pocock-skills](https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/skills/setup-matt-pocock-skills.md) — skill · 1052851 installs
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## Other versions with the same name
- [retro · mattpocock](https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/skills/retro.md) — 276027 installs
- [retro · phuryn](https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/skills/phuryn-retro.md) — 2700 installs
- [retro · bergside](https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/skills/typeuish-retro.md) — 2300 installs
- [retro · rainmanjam](https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/skills/retro-2.md) — ★ 24
- [retro · rainmanjam](https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/skills/rainmanjam-retro.md) — ★ 24

From the same set: [necmttn/ax](https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/by/necmttn/ax.md) — 11 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