# scoping-changes

Keeps a fix tied to the problem that triggered it and makes partial delivery explicit. Use it when a task starts growing or an approved plan needs to be split.

- skill · `type=skill` · Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, GitHub Copilot, Gemini CLI, OpenCode · 17700 installs · ★ 6
- Author: riekelt
- License: not stated · policy=link-only · description only; the file stays with the author
- Source: https://github.com/riekelt/principal-engineer/tree/HEAD/plugins/principal-engineer/skills/scoping-changes/SKILL.md
- Updated: 2026-09-11
- HTML: https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/skills/scoping-changes

## What it does

The skill helps size a change to its underlying defect. It treats unrelated improvements as separate work, even when they turn up in the same file. If the same defect appears along another path, that path belongs in the fix too.

When an approved task proves too large, split it into named parts and state what will ship. Record deferred work in a tracker with an owner, or mark it for triage. A blocker on one part should not hold up the parts that can still move forward.

The `principal-engineering` skill is required. Before adding code, check what the codebase, standard library, platform, and installed dependencies already provide. The owner can change the task’s scope, but separate tasks should remain separate changes.

## Install

### Claude Code (native platform)

1. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add riekelt/principal-engineer --skill scoping-changes -a claude-code
```

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

### Codex

1. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add riekelt/principal-engineer --skill scoping-changes -a codex
```

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

### Cursor

1. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add riekelt/principal-engineer --skill scoping-changes -a cursor
```

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

### GitHub Copilot

1. **GitHub CLI**
```bash
gh skill install riekelt/principal-engineer scoping-changes
```

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

### Gemini CLI

1. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add riekelt/principal-engineer --skill scoping-changes -a gemini-cli
```

2. **Platform CLI**
```bash
gemini skills install https://github.com/riekelt/principal-engineer --path plugins/principal-engineer/skills/scoping-changes
```

### Windsurf (Devin Desktop)

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

### OpenCode

**Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add riekelt/principal-engineer --skill scoping-changes -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/riekelt/principal-engineer/tree/HEAD/plugins/principal-engineer/skills/scoping-changes/SKILL.md

## When to use it
- keep a fix focused on its triggering defect
- move unrelated improvements into separate tracked work
- split an oversized approved task and name the cut line
- assign deferred work or flag it for triage
- continue unblocked work while another part is stalled

## Example prompts
- Fix the defect wherever else it appears, and leave unrelated refactoring out of this change.
- Split this approved task into named parts and report what will ship now.
- Review this diff; track out-of-scope findings separately and address findings within the diff.

## Similar
- [improve-codebase-architecture](https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/skills/improve-codebase-architecture.md) — skill · 1163035 installs
- [tdd](https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/skills/tdd.md) — skill · 1141062 installs
- [triage](https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/skills/triage.md) — skill · 990453 installs
- [codebase-design](https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/skills/codebase-design.md) — skill · 850344 installs
- [code-review](https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/skills/code-review.md) — skill · 789521 installs
- [implement](https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/skills/implement.md) — skill · 774700 installs

From the same set: [riekelt/principal-engineer](https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/by/riekelt/principal-engineer.md) — 9 cards

---
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