Sharp Writing
Rules for sharp, concise prose in docs, READMEs, and agent skills
Test report
- Verdict
- Tested · Works
- Score
- Tested
- Jul 18, 2026
- Environment
- Claude Code 2.x (agent harness)
- Upstream re-checked
- Jul 30, 2026 · 28d395d
⚠ This skill is no longer available upstream. Our re-check on Aug 10, 2026 couldn't find it any more (repo unreachable/deleted). The test below is what we measured on Jul 18, 2026 and we're leaving it up as a record — but there is nothing left to install, so we've removed the command.
Ran it on a CLI README intro: it cut a 55-word hype-laden paragraph to 40 words, dropped 'powerful/intuitive/essential', and deleted a restating closing sentence its 'stop at the last fact' rule forbids, while adding concrete exit-code behavior. Single self-contained SKILL.md with no scripts, so nothing to break or exfiltrate, and the install command dropped it into a bare HOME cleanly. The body practices the concision it preaches, so its claims match observed behavior.
Scored on four weighted criteria — install, triggering, output vs. baseline, docs. How scoring works
- Installs cleanly 5/5
- Triggers reliably 5/5
- Output vs. baseline 8/10
- Docs & honesty 5/5
What Sharp Writing does
A single-file skill of conventions for writing tight, precise prose and Markdown for both human and AI readers. Triggers before writing documentation, READMEs, instructions, or agent skills. Rules cover positive phrasing, one-idea-per-sentence structure, cutting restating closers, and audience-specific em-dash use.
How to install Sharp Writing
Nothing to install: the source repository no longer has this skill. If the author brings it back, our daily re-check will pick it up and the command will reappear here.
Commands — how to trigger Sharp Writing
-
/sharp-writingRules for sharp, concise prose in docs, READMEs, and agent skills
It also activates on plain-language prompts like these:
-
Tighten the prose in this CLI tool's README introduction paragraph. -
Draft a concise docs page for this API without any filler language. -
Cut the hype and restate-y closer sentence in this agent skill's body.
Frequently asked questions
- Is the Sharp Writing skill free?
- Yes. The skill itself is free from paleo/alignfirst. SkillProof publishes the install command and an independent test verdict at no cost.
- Does Sharp Writing work with Claude Code?
- We tested it with Claude Code 2.x (agent harness) on Jul 18, 2026. Verdict: Tested · Works. Ran it on a CLI README intro: it cut a 55-word hype-laden paragraph to 40 words, dropped 'powerful/intuitive/essential', and deleted a restating closing sentence its 'stop at the last fact' rule forbids, while adding concrete exit-code behavior. Single self-contained SKILL.md with no scripts, so nothing to break or exfiltrate, and the install command dropped it into a bare HOME cleanly. The body practices the concision it preaches, so its claims match observed behavior.
- What is the Sharp Writing SkillProof Score?
- 9.2/10 — installs cleanly 5/5, triggers reliably 5/5, output vs. baseline 8/10, docs & honesty 5/5.
- How do I install Sharp Writing?
- Copy the install command from this page, run it in your terminal, and restart Claude Code. Skills live in ~/.claude/skills/ (global) or .claude/skills/ inside a project.
- Can I use Sharp Writing with Cursor, Copilot, Gemini CLI, Codex or other AI tools?
- The SKILL.md format is native to Claude (Claude Code, Desktop, claude.ai). The instructions inside adapt to other assistants: Cursor rules, GitHub Copilot instructions, Windsurf rules, Custom GPTs, AGENTS.md for OpenAI Codex, and GEMINI.md for Google Gemini CLI — our conversion guides cover each, and the free converter on the tools page does the wrapping for you.