# Decision Briefs 1-3-1

Write decision briefs with one problem, three options and one pick.

- Repository: https://github.com/NousResearch/hermes-agent (259479 stars)
- Category: Business
- License: MIT
- Last updated: 2026-11-01
- Runs scripts: no, instructions only

## Install

Claude Code: `npx skills add NousResearch/hermes-agent --skill one-three-one-rule -g -a claude-code -y`
Codex: `npx skills add NousResearch/hermes-agent --skill one-three-one-rule -g -a codex -y`
Cursor: `npx skills add NousResearch/hermes-agent --skill one-three-one-rule -g -a cursor -y`
Gemini CLI: `npx skills add NousResearch/hermes-agent --skill one-three-one-rule -g -a gemini-cli -y`

## Description

1-3-1 decision briefs: problem, three options, one pick.

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

# 1-3-1 Communication Rule

Structured decision-making format for when a task has multiple viable approaches and the user needs a clear recommendation. Produces a concise problem framing, three options with trade-offs, and an actionable plan for the recommended path.

## When to Use

- The user explicitly asks for a "1-3-1" response.
- The user says "give me options" or "what are my choices" for a technical decision.
- A task has multiple viable approaches with meaningful trade-offs (architecture, tooling, migration strategy).
- The user needs a proposal they can forward to a team or stakeholder.

Do NOT use for simple questions with one obvious answer, debugging sessions, or tasks where the user has already decided on an approach.

## Procedure

1. **Problem** (one sentence)
   - State the core decision or desired outcome in a single concise sentence.
   - Focus on the *what*, not the *how*, no implementation details, tool names, or specific technologies.
   - Keep it tight. If you need "and", you're describing two problems.

2. **Options** (exactly three)
   - Present three distinct, viable approaches labeled A, B, C.
   - Each option gets a brief description, pros, and cons.
   - Options should represent genuinely different strategies, not minor variations of the same approach.

3. **Recommendation** (one option)
   - State which option you recommend and why, based on the user's context and priorities.
   - Be direct, this is your professional judgment, not a hedge.

4. **Definition of Done**
   - List the specific success criteria for the recommended option.
   - These are concrete, verifiable outcomes, not vague aspirations.
   - If the user picks a different option, revise this section to match.

5. **Implementation Plan**
   - Concrete steps to execute the recommended option.
   - Include specific commands, tools, or actions where applicable.
   - If the user picks a different option, revise this section to match.

## Verification

The rest: https://github.com/NousResearch/hermes-agent/blob/HEAD/optional-skills/communication/one-three-one-rule/SKILL.md