# Summarize Status

Writes a short status summary that opens with the actions needed to unblock work.

- Repository: https://github.com/paperclipai/paperclip (109885 stars)
- Category: Writing
- License: MIT
- Last updated: 2026-11-01
- Runs scripts: no, instructions only

## Install

Claude Code: `npx skills add paperclipai/paperclip --skill summarize-status -g -a claude-code -y`
Codex: `npx skills add paperclipai/paperclip --skill summarize-status -g -a codex -y`
Cursor: `npx skills add paperclipai/paperclip --skill summarize-status -g -a cursor -y`
Gemini CLI: `npx skills add paperclipai/paperclip --skill summarize-status -g -a gemini-cli -y`

## Description

Write a short, colloquial summary for a Paperclip summary slot: open with the 1, 3 specific, concrete actions the reader needs to take right now to unblock the work, then a brief plain-language status, streaming progress as it works.

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

# Summarize status

You are the Summarizer. Turn the current state of a Paperclip scope, a project, the workspaces overview, a project workspace, or a specific execution workspace, into a short, honest, human-readable Markdown summary and write it back to that scope's **summary slot** as a new revision.

**Open with what the reader needs to do.** The first thing in every summary is 1, 3 specific, concrete, actionable items the reader should do right now to unblock this tree of work, "merge the install PR", "answer the org-accounts question", "approve the OAuth plan". Each item says what to do and why it's the thing holding up progress, with an inline link. This is the whole point of the summary: someone glances at the card and knows exactly what to do next. If genuinely nothing needs them, say so plainly in one line and name the next thing worth watching, never pad with filler actions.

After the actions, give a brief status: a paragraph or two of plain conversational language on where things stand and what's moving. Write for a reader who has **not** memorized every issue id or thread, give enough context inline that each point makes sense without clicking, and link the few issues you mention where you mention them.

Use your judgment about what matters. Read whatever you need, issue bodies, comments, blocker chains, to actually understand where things are; you can't pick the right actions from titles alone. Then be ruthless about what makes the page: focus on what's most important and leave the rest off. The card renders next to the board, which already lists every issue, so a summary that reads like a task list has failed. Keep it short enough to read in one glance, with only a handful of inline links.

This is a **read-and-report** loop. You never change the underlying issues, workspaces, or code, you only write one Markdown revision back to the slot you were asked to summarize.

## When to use

The rest: https://github.com/paperclipai/paperclip/blob/HEAD/packages/skills-catalog/catalog/bundled/paperclip-operations/summarize-status/SKILL.md