gh-bcasci-hustler-marketplace-prompting-plugin/skills/prompt-writing/references/decision-framework.md

Decision Framework

Start Here: Natural Language

Every prompt should begin with clear, direct natural language instructions. This is your baseline.

Then Ask: Would a prompting technique help?

• Complex reasoning needed? Consider CoT
• Need specific format/style? Consider Few-Shot
• Multiple types of information? Consider XML separation
• Already clear and effective? Stop, you're done

Then Ask: Would Claude Code features help in the prompt content?

• Should this prompt reference CLAUDE.md knowledge?
• Should this prompt invoke existing skills?
• Should this prompt delegate to subagents?
• Should this prompt invoke MCP tools?
• Complex structure? Use XML tags for progressive disclosure

Principle: Less is More

Don't add techniques just because you can. Add them when they solve a specific problem. Most prompts work best with just clear natural language.

Skill Invocation Patterns

For skills, include trigger phrases to ensure intentional activation:

• "use your [skill-name] to..."
• "use the [skill-name] for..."
• Include trigger words from skill description

For subagents, use clear delegation language:

• "use your [subagent-name] subagent to..."
• "use the [subagent-name] subagent for..."
• Match language to subagent's description triggers

Claude auto-discovers skills and subagents but may skip them without explicit triggers in the prompt.