
Ponytail Help
FreeQuick-reference for Ponytail commands and modes.
Free · Opens the source repo
What Ponytail Help does
Ponytail Help is a concise reference tool designed to assist users of the Ponytail framework. When invoked, it provides a one-shot display of all available modes, skills, and commands associated with Ponytail. This skill is particularly useful for developers who need to quickly recall how to use various features of Ponytail without needing to sift through extensive documentation. It operates in a non-persistent manner, meaning it does not alter any modes or settings permanently, ensuring a clean and straightforward user experience.
The skill categorizes its functionality into different levels: Lite, Full, and Ultra. Each level corresponds to a specific approach to problem-solving within the Ponytail framework. For instance, the Lite mode offers the simplest solution while the Ultra mode challenges requirements and promotes minimalism. This flexibility allows users to choose the level of detail and complexity that best suits their current task.
In addition to the modes, Ponytail Help outlines various skills that can be triggered to perform specific tasks, such as conducting over-engineering reviews or auditing code for unnecessary complexity. Each command is designed to streamline the development process, making it easier for users to maintain clean and efficient codebases. This skill is ideal for developers and designers who are working with the Ponytail framework and need quick access to its capabilities without diving deep into the documentation.
Overall, Ponytail Help enhances productivity by providing immediate access to essential commands and modes, making it a valuable addition for anyone utilizing the Ponytail framework in their development workflow.
When to use it
Use Ponytail Help when you need a quick reference for commands and modes while working with the Ponytail framework.
When not to use it
This skill is not suitable for users who prefer persistent changes or in-depth tutorials on Ponytail.
What you can build with it
Quick Command Reference
Invoke Ponytail Help to get an immediate list of commands when you're unsure how to proceed.
Switching Modes
Use Ponytail Help to remind yourself of the different operational modes available in Ponytail.
Auditing Code
Trigger specific skills from Ponytail Help to conduct audits or reviews of your codebase.
How to install Ponytail Help
View source1. Install with the skills CLI
npx skills add dietrichgebert/ponytail/ponytail-help --agent claude-code2. Or install it manually
Download the skill folder and drop it into ~/.claude/skills/ for all projects, or .claude/skills/ to scope it to one repo. Restart Claude Code so it picks up the new skill.
Anthropic's agentic coding CLI, and the reference implementation of Agent Skills. Drop a skill folder into ~/.claude/skills and Claude Code loads it automatically whenever a task matches the skill's description. Claude Code docs
Inside SKILL.md
Written by dietrichgebertPonytail Help
Display this reference card when invoked. One-shot, do NOT change mode, write flag files, or persist anything.
Levels
| Level | Trigger | What change |
|---|---|---|
| Lite | /ponytail lite | Build what's asked, name the lazier alternative in one line. |
| Full | /ponytail | The ladder enforced: YAGNI → stdlib → native → one line → minimum. Default. |
| Ultra | /ponytail ultra | YAGNI extremist. Deletion before addition. Challenges requirements before building. |
Level sticks until changed or session end.
Skills
| Skill | Trigger | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| ponytail | /ponytail | Lazy mode itself. Simplest solution that works. |
| ponytail-review | /ponytail-review | Over-engineering review: L42: yagni: factory, one product. Inline. |
| ponytail-audit | /ponytail-audit | Whole-repo over-engineering audit: ranked list of what to delete. |
| ponytail-debt | /ponytail-debt | Harvest ponytail: shortcut comments into a tracked ledger. |
| ponytail-gain | /ponytail-gain | Measured-impact scoreboard: less code, less cost, more speed. |
| ponytail-help | /ponytail-help | This card. |
Codex uses @ponytail, @ponytail-review, and @ponytail-help; Claude Code
and OpenCode use the slash-command forms above (OpenCode ships all six as
slash commands).
Deactivate
Say "stop ponytail" or "normal mode". Resume anytime with /ponytail.
/ponytail off also works.
Configure Default Mode
Default mode = full, auto-active every session. Change it:
Environment variable (highest priority):
export PONYTAIL_DEFAULT_MODE=ultra
Config file (~/.config/ponytail/config.json, Windows: %APPDATA%\ponytail\config.json):
{ "defaultMode": "lite" }
Set "off" to disable auto-activation on session start, activate manually
with /ponytail when wanted.
Resolution: env var > config file > full.
Update
Enable auto-update once: open /plugin, go to Marketplaces, pick ponytail, Enable auto-update. Claude Code then pulls new versions at startup (run /reload-plugins when it prompts). Manual refresh: /plugin marketplace update ponytail then /reload-plugins.
If /plugin is not recognized, your Claude Code is out of date. Update it (npm install -g @anthropic-ai/claude-code@latest, or brew upgrade claude-code) and restart. Other hosts use their own update flow.
More
Full docs + examples: https://github.com/DietrichGebert/ponytail
Frequently asked questions about Ponytail Help
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