# write-concisely

This skill enforces classic style rules from William Strunk Jr.'s 1918 guide across human-facing docs. It strips filler words and switches passive phrasing into active voice.

- skill · `type=skill` · Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, GitHub Copilot, Gemini CLI, OpenCode · 1300 installs · ★ 1787
- Author: NeoLabHQ
- License: GPL-3.0 · policy=link-only · description only; the file stays with the author
- Source: https://github.com/NeoLabHQ/context-engineering-kit/tree/HEAD/skills/write-concisely/SKILL.md
- Updated: 2026-08-26
- HTML: https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/skills/write-concisely

## What it does

The skill embeds instructions from William Strunk Jr.'s 1918 book The Elements of Style. It targets human-facing documentation. The rules govern English grammar, focusing on singular possessives and parenthetic punctuation.

Composition principles guide the overall layout. Each topic belongs in its own paragraph with a clear opening sentence. The assistant removes needless words and favors positive, direct phrasing. Emphatic terms go at the end.

The skill also incorporates a list of misused words. Because these conventions reflect formal 1918 English, they will clash with casual modern product copy. For structured technical guides, the rules keep prose disciplined.

## Install

### Claude Code (native platform)

1. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add NeoLabHQ/context-engineering-kit --skill write-concisely -a claude-code
```

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

### Codex

1. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add NeoLabHQ/context-engineering-kit --skill write-concisely -a codex
```

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

### Cursor

1. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add NeoLabHQ/context-engineering-kit --skill write-concisely -a cursor
```

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

### GitHub Copilot

1. **GitHub CLI**
```bash
gh skill install NeoLabHQ/context-engineering-kit write-concisely
```

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

### Gemini CLI

1. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add NeoLabHQ/context-engineering-kit --skill write-concisely -a gemini-cli
```

2. **Platform CLI**
```bash
gemini skills install https://github.com/NeoLabHQ/context-engineering-kit --path skills/write-concisely
```

### Windsurf (Devin Desktop)

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

### OpenCode

**Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add NeoLabHQ/context-engineering-kit --skill write-concisely -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/NeoLabHQ/context-engineering-kit/tree/HEAD/skills/write-concisely/SKILL.md

## When to use it
- cut filler words and bloat from English technical documentation
- convert passive sentences into direct active voice
- reorganize messy sections into single-topic paragraphs
- fix comma placement and possessives according to classic style rules

## Example prompts
- Use the write-concisely skill to edit README.md and trim unnecessary words
- Rewrite this API overview in active voice following write-concisely rules
- Review this release announcement using write-concisely guidelines

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From the same set: [neolabhq/context-engineering-kit](https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/by/neolabhq/context-engineering-kit.md) — 64 cards

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