# The 10 Rules of the i-have-adhd Skill: Technical Breakdown > Discover the 10 rules of the i-have-adhd skill. Learn how this GitHub project uses executable actions, list caps, and time estimates to reduce cognitive load for ADHD users. - Repository: [Ayoub Ghriss/i-have-adhd](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd) - Tags: technical-breakdown - Published: 2026-08-06 --- **The i-have-adhd skill enforces 10 strict communication rules—defined in [`skills/i-have-adhd/SKILL.md`](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/skills/i-have-adhd/SKILL.md)—that require leading with executable actions, capping lists at 5 items, providing concrete time estimates, and eliminating all preamble to reduce cognitive load for ADHD users.** The `i-have-adhd` skill is an open-source AI behavior modifier hosted in the `ayghri/i-have-adhd` repository that transforms standard conversational AI outputs into ADHD-optimized directives. By encoding specific constraints into the skill manifest at [`skills/i-have-adhd/SKILL.md`](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/skills/i-have-adhd/SKILL.md), it creates a persistent session-based filter (active until the user says "stop adhd mode") that prioritizes working memory relief and immediate executability over exploratory dialogue. ## The 10 Core Rules The skill's behavior is governed by ten specific constraints documented in the manifest file. Each rule targets a specific cognitive pain point associated with ADHD, from initiation paralysis to working memory limitations. ### 1. Lead with the Next Action The very first line of every response must contain a concrete, immediately executable step—such as a command, file path, or code snippet. No introductory prose, greetings, or context-setting may precede this action. According to [`SKILL.md`](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/SKILL.md) lines 35-42, this rule counters initiation paralysis by removing the friction of parsing through conversational filler to find the starting point. ### 2. Number Multi-Step Tasks When a solution requires sequential actions, the response must present a numbered list where each item represents a single, bounded task. As specified in [`SKILL.md`](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/SKILL.md) lines 44-52, trivial steps should be combined to keep the list concise, preventing the overwhelm that comes from seeing 15 discrete micro-tasks. ### 3. End with One Concrete Next Action Every explanation must conclude with a specific, doable action that can be completed in under two minutes—such as "run `npm test`" or "paste the error into chat." This rule, defined in [`SKILL.md`](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/SKILL.md) lines 59-66, ensures the user never faces a blank screen wondering what to do next; there is always a clear exit ramp from the current interaction. ### 4. Suppress Tangents If a secondary issue arises during task execution, the skill must finish the current task first before presenting the new issue. Per [`SKILL.md`](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/SKILL.md) lines 66-73, tangents are treated as separate questions rather than digressions within the current thread, protecting the user's focus from context-switching costs. ### 5. Restate State Every Turn Because ADHD often involves limited working memory, each response must restate the current progress explicitly (e.g., "Step X of Y done..."). Lines 75-82 of [`SKILL.md`](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/SKILL.md) mandate this progress beacon so the user always knows exactly where they are in a multi-step process without holding that information in their head. ### 6. Give Specific Time Estimates Vague duration phrases like "a while" or "soon" are prohibited. Every estimate must use concrete units—minutes or hours—as enforced in [`SKILL.md`](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/SKILL.md) lines 84-90. This specificity allows users to budget their finite attention resources accurately. ### 7. Make Completed Work Visible The skill must immediately show the result of any change (e.g., displaying a working command output or confirming a file modification). Lines 91-97 of [`SKILL.md`](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/SKILL.md) require this visibility to provide immediate dopamine feedback and confirm that the action succeeded before the user moves on. ### 8. Matter-of-Fact Tone for Errors Errors are reported plainly without emotive language like "Uh oh" or "Oops." The source file at lines 98-104 mandates stating the cause and fix directly, reducing the emotional charge of debugging and treating errors as neutral information rather than failures. ### 9. Cap Lists at 5 Items If a procedure exceeds five steps, it must be split into categorized sub-lists (e.g., "do now" versus "later"). This constraint, found in [`SKILL.md`](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/SKILL.md) lines 105-108, prevents the paralysis that occurs when presented with an unbounded workload. ### 10. No Preamble, Recap, or Closing Pleasantries The response must start immediately with the answer and end as soon as the answer is complete. As defined in lines 109-116, there are no greetings ("Let me help you with that"), no summary paragraphs, and no sign-offs ("Best regards"), eliminating all friction between the question and the solution. ## How to Use the i-have-adhd Skill Activating the skill applies these ten rules persistently across the session. The following commands control the behavior. ### Activating the Skill To enter ADHD-optimized mode, type: ```text /i-have-adhd ``` The skill remains active until explicitly deactivated, applying all ten constraints to every subsequent interaction. ### Example Output When the skill is active, responses follow the strict format outlined above: ```text Run `npm install jsonwebtoken` then edit `src/auth.ts:42`. 1. Open `src/auth.ts`. 2. Replace the `verifyToken` function (lines 42-58) with the snippet below. 3. Run `npm test -- auth.spec.ts`. Next: run `npm test` and paste the first failing line. Step 3 of 3 done: tests updated. About 5 minutes total. ``` This output demonstrates **leading with the next action** (the install command), **numbered steps** (3 items), a **concrete next action** (run npm test), **state restatement** (Step 3 of 3 done), a **specific time estimate** (5 minutes), and **zero preamble or closing**. ### Deactivating the Skill To return to standard conversational mode, use either phrase: ```text stop adhd mode ``` or: ```text normal mode ``` The system confirms the mode change in one line and immediately resumes standard response formatting. ## Summary - The **i-have-adhd skill** is defined in [`skills/i-have-adhd/SKILL.md`](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/skills/i-have-adhd/SKILL.md) and applies 10 strict formatting rules for the duration of a session. - **Rule 1** mandates leading with executable actions, while **Rule 10** prohibits all preamble and closings. - **Rules 2, 3, and 9** structure tasks into numbered lists capped at 5 items, always ending with a sub-two-minute next action. - **Rules 5, 6, and 7** provide working memory support through state restatement, concrete time estimates, and visible results. - **Rule 4** prevents context switching by suppressing tangents, and **Rule 8** enforces neutral, actionable error reporting. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How do I activate the i-have-adhd skill? Type `/i-have-adhd` in the chat interface. The skill binds to the current session and reshapes all subsequent responses according to the ten rules defined in [`skills/i-have-adhd/SKILL.md`](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/skills/i-have-adhd/SKILL.md) until you explicitly exit the mode. ### Can I use this skill with any AI model? The repository includes model-specific configurations in [`skills/i-have-adhd/agents/openai.yaml`](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/skills/i-have-adhd/agents/openai.yaml) and [`skills/i-have-adhd/agents/gemini.toml`](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/skills/i-have-adhd/agents/gemini.toml), allowing the skill to interface with OpenAI and Gemini models. The core rules in [`SKILL.md`](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/SKILL.md) remain model-agnostic, but the agent bindings handle provider-specific API formatting. ### What happens if a task naturally requires more than five steps? Per **Rule 9**, the skill splits the workflow into categorized sub-lists (such as "setup now" versus "deploy later") to keep any single list under five items. If a process is inherently linear and long, the skill presents the first five steps with a clear checkpoint, then reveals subsequent steps only after the initial batch is complete. ### How do I exit adhd mode? Say `stop adhd mode` or `normal mode`. The system will confirm the deactivation in a single line and revert to standard conversational formatting, removing the ten constraints immediately.