devil-advocate

Analyze decisions and architectures for risks, alternatives, and reversibility.

Updated Feb 20, 2026
One-click install
npx skills add https://github.com/igorder-dev/apex --skill devil-advocate-igorder-dev
Or copy as Structured Prompt for Agent▼
Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: devil-advocate
Source: https://github.com/igorder-dev/apex/tree/main/.claude/skills/devil-advocate
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/igorder-dev/apex --skill devil-advocate-igorder-dev

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

What problem does it solve?

This skill provides a structured devil's advocate analysis of decisions, technology choices, and architectures to stress-test approaches before committing to them in documentation.

Core Features & Use Cases

  • Level 1: Decision Critique — unbiased, steel-man first critique of the strongest version of the current position.
  • Level 2: Scope Critique — run after every document to surface forgotten requirements, failure modes, and implicit needs.
  • Level 3: "First Day on the Job" Test — ensures a new reader can set up and use the doc pack without questions.
  • Minimum Gaps Rule — forces identification of at least two potential gaps per document (or explicitly state no gaps).
  • Tone and Deliverable — provides a respectful, evidence-based verdict with actionable next steps.

Quick Start

Provide a structured devil's advocate critique of the given decision, highlighting risks, alternatives, and reversibility.

Frequently Asked Questions about devil-advocate

High-intent search queries and answers about installing and using this skill.

FAQPage Schema
How do I critique architecture decisions and surface hidden risks before committing to documentation?▼

To critique architecture decisions, apply a structured devil's advocate analysis that steel-mans the strongest version of your position, surfaces risks and alternatives, and enforces a minimum gaps rule to identify at least two forgotten requirements per document.

What is a devil's advocate analysis for technology choices and build-vs-buy discussions?▼

A devil's advocate analysis for technology choices is a structured critique that stress-tests build-vs-buy decisions by surfacing implicit needs, evaluating reversibility, and delivering an evidence-based verdict with actionable next steps.

How do I run a design review to ensure a new reader can use the documentation without questions?▼

Run a "First Day on the Job" test during design review to ensure a new reader can set up and use the document pack without questions, verifying that scope critique has surfaced all implicit needs and failure modes.

Can I use this approach to find gaps in Architecture Decision Records (ADRs)?▼

Yes, you can apply devil's advocate critique directly to ADRs to surface forgotten requirements, evaluate trade-offs, and enforce the minimum gaps rule, which requires identifying at least two potential gaps or explicitly stating none exist.

What are the limitations of devil's advocate critique for risk analysis?▼

Devil's advocate critique for risk analysis is limited to surfacing risks, alternatives, and reversibility in documentation; it provides a respectful, evidence-based verdict with next steps but does not make the final implementation decision for the team.