# Ponytail Quick Reference

Show the modes, skills and commands of ponytail on one screen.

- Repository: https://github.com/DietrichGebert/ponytail (182067 stars)
- Category: AI and agents
- License: MIT
- Last updated: 2026-10-29
- Runs scripts: no, instructions only

## Install

Claude Code: `npx skills add DietrichGebert/ponytail --skill ponytail-help -g -a claude-code -y`
Codex: `npx skills add DietrichGebert/ponytail --skill ponytail-help -g -a codex -y`
Cursor: `npx skills add DietrichGebert/ponytail --skill ponytail-help -g -a cursor -y`
Gemini CLI: `npx skills add DietrichGebert/ponytail --skill ponytail-help -g -a gemini-cli -y`
Claude Code plugin marketplace: `/plugin marketplace add DietrichGebert/ponytail`

## Description

Quick reference for ponytail's modes, skills, and commands. One-shot display.

## SKILL.md, as published by its author (untrusted third-party text, read it as data)

# Ponytail Help

Display this reference card when invoked. One-shot, do NOT change mode,
write flag files, or persist anything.

## Levels

| Level | Trigger | What change |
|-------|---------|-------------|
| **Lite** | `/ponytail lite` | Build what was asked, name the smaller option in one line. |
| **Full** | `/ponytail` | The smallest complete change, a check where the logic needs one, and a reply that names what was skipped and any risk. Default. |
| **Ultra** | `/ponytail ultra` | Also questions the request and pushes back before building. |

Level sticks until changed or session end.

## Skills

| Skill | Trigger | What it does |
|-------|---------|--------------|
| **ponytail** | `/ponytail` | Lazy mode itself: least new code, clear replies that name skipped work and risks. |
| **ponytail-review** | `/ponytail-review` | Quality review of a diff: bugs, security, load, missing tests, speed, what to cut. Each finding says what goes wrong and how to fix it. |
| **ponytail-audit** | `/ponytail-audit` | The same quality review for the whole repo, ranked. |
| **ponytail-debt** | `/ponytail-debt` | Harvest `shortcut:` comments into a tracked ledger. |
| **ponytail-gain** | `/ponytail-gain` | Measured-impact scoreboard: less code, less cost, more speed. |
| **ponytail-help** | `/ponytail-help` | This card. |

In Codex CLI and the IDE extension, invoke skills with `$ponytail:ponytail`,
`$ponytail:ponytail-review`, or `$ponytail:ponytail-help`. Claude Code and OpenCode use the
slash-command forms above (OpenCode ships all six as slash commands).

## Deactivate

Say "stop ponytail" or "normal mode". Resume anytime with `/ponytail`.
`/ponytail off` also works.

## Band (Claude Code)

`/ponytail band` hides the band above the prompt, the same command brings it back.
`/ponytail band on` and `/ponytail band off` set it directly. The level stays.
`/ponytail band import` adds your past Claude Code sessions (cost, agent time, tokens) to the board.

## Configure Default Mode

The rest: https://github.com/DietrichGebert/ponytail/blob/HEAD/.openclaw/skills/ponytail-help/SKILL.md