principle-prove-it-works

Verify completed work by inspecting the real artifact instead of proxies or self-reports.

Updated Aug 22, 2026
One-click install
npx skills add https://github.com/squidllee/skills --skill principle-prove-it-works-squidllee
Or copy as Structured Prompt for Agent▼
Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: principle-prove-it-works
Source: https://github.com/squidllee/skills/tree/main/principle-prove-it-works
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/squidllee/skills --skill principle-prove-it-works-squidllee

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

What problem does it solve? Work declared done without direct verification has unknown correctness. Indirect signals like file timestamps, cached screenshots, build success, or agent self-reports create false confidence, and acting on a wrong inference costs far more than checking the source. ## Core Features & Use Cases - Direct Verification Discipline: After any task, check the real thing—run the feature, read the actual value, inspect the diff—rather than trusting proxies or derived state. - End-to-End Validation: For code and integrations, build it, run the actual feature path, and confirm data flows from input to output across the full communication chain. - Delegation Auditing: When verifying delegated work, inspect the actual output artifact (git diff, file contents, runtime behavior) instead of the delegate's summary. - Scripted Proof: Write a deterministic re-runnable script that performs the comparison, keeping its output as an artifact a reviewer can re-run. - Use Case: After an agent claims a bug fix works, run the feature yourself, inspect the git diff, and execute a comparison script rather than accepting the agent's report. ## Quick Start After finishing your next coding task, ask the AI to apply the prove-it-works principle to verify the result against the real artifact before declaring it done.

Frequently Asked Questions about principle-prove-it-works

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

FAQPage Schema
How do I verify that a coding task is actually complete?▼

Verify by checking the real artifact directly: build the code, run the actual feature path, and confirm data flows from input to output. Do not rely on compilation success, file timestamps, or self-reports as proof of correctness.

How to verify work delegated to an AI agent?▼

Trust artifacts, not self-reports. Inspect the actual output such as the git diff, file contents, or runtime behavior instead of the agent's summary, since agents report what they intended rather than always what happened.

Why is 'it compiles' not enough to declare a task done?▼

Compilation is necessary but not sufficient proof of correctness. A building program can still fail at runtime, mishandle data, or break integrations, so you must exercise the actual feature path end-to-end.

What is the strongest way to prove a change works?▼

The strongest proof is a deterministic script that re-runs the same comparison, such as one comparing old and new compiled output. Keep its output visible as an artifact a reviewer can re-run instead of trusting your word.

When should verification artifacts be committed to the repository?▼

Commit verification artifacts only for large or complex work where the trail must be auditable later, such as a big port or migration. Most work only needs the artifact visible, not committed.