principle-prove-it-works
About principle-prove-it-works
A skill for agents that emphasizes verifying task results against the actual system rather than relying on indirect signals. It encourages repeatable scripted checks and keeping reviewable evidence.
Key features
- 01Directly inspect the real result
- 02Avoid proxy-based verification
- 03Automate deterministic checks
- 04Retain output for review
Use cases
- 01Confirm a process is running
- 02Check an actual value after a change
- 03Create repeatable verification for a task
Install
Copy the command and run it in a terminal.
npx skills add https:/After installing, type/principle-prove-it-worksin Claude Code to confirm it loaded.
Bundled filesagents/openai.yaml
Details
From the project READMEProve It Works
Verify every task output by checking the real thing directly. Do not infer from proxies, self-reports, or "it compiles."
Why: Unverified work has unknown correctness. Indirect verification (file mtimes, output freshness, agent self-reports, cached screenshots) feels cheaper than direct observation. Acting on a wrong inference costs far more than checking the source.
Check the real thing, not a proxy:
- Check process liveness directly, not indirectly through derived state
- Read the actual value, not a cached or derived representation
- When verification fails, suspect the observation method before suspecting the system
Script the check when you can
The strongest proof is a deterministic script that re-runs the same comparison, not a one-time eyeball. Write the script, run it, and keep its output as an artifact a reviewer can re-run instead of trusting your word.
Keep the artifact visible for the human. Commit it only for large or complex work where the trail has to be auditable later, like a big port or migration (the show-me-your-work skill).