# Skill Intent Contract

Use when starting a complex or ambiguous task that risks scope drift

- Repository: https://github.com/nyldn/claude-octopus (4351 stars)
- Category: Engineering
- License: MIT
- Last updated: 2026-11-01
- Runs scripts: no, instructions only

## Install

Claude Code: `npx skills add nyldn/claude-octopus --skill skill-intent-contract -g -a claude-code -y`
Codex: `npx skills add nyldn/claude-octopus --skill skill-intent-contract -g -a codex -y`
Cursor: `npx skills add nyldn/claude-octopus --skill skill-intent-contract -g -a cursor -y`
Gemini CLI: `npx skills add nyldn/claude-octopus --skill skill-intent-contract -g -a gemini-cli -y`
Claude Code plugin marketplace: `/plugin marketplace add nyldn/claude-octopus`

## Description

Use when starting a complex or ambiguous task that risks scope drift

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

# Intent Contract System

## Purpose

The intent contract creates a **persistent record of user intent** that:
- Captures what the user is trying to accomplish
- Defines success criteria upfront
- Establishes boundaries and constraints
- Travels through the entire workflow
- Validates final outputs against original intent

This closes the loop between intention and delivery.

---

## Intent Contract Structure

The intent contract is stored in the current resolved plan run directory as `session-intent.md`. Use `scripts/plan-storage.sh` to create or recover that directory; never write a loose intent file into `.claude/`.

```markdown
# Intent Contract

**Created**: [ISO timestamp]
**Workflow**: [discover/embrace/review/etc.]
**Status**: [active/validating/completed]

## Job Statement
What the user is trying to accomplish (JTBD framework).

[User's goal in plain language]

## Success Criteria

### Good Enough
- [Minimum viable success criterion 1]
- [Minimum viable success criterion 2]

### Exceptional
- [Excellence criterion 1]
- [Excellence criterion 2]

## Boundaries
What this should NOT be:
- [Boundary 1: What to avoid]
- [Boundary 2: What's out of scope]

## Context & Constraints

**Stakeholders**: [Who needs this to work for them]
**Existing Assets**: [What to build on]
**Timeline**: [Time constraints if any]
**Technical Constraints**: [Platform, language, dependencies]

## Clarifying Context
[Any answers from the 3-question pattern]

The rest: https://github.com/nyldn/claude-octopus/blob/HEAD/.claude/skills/skill-intent-contract/SKILL.md