Skill Writing
millionco/expect
Write and improve agent skills (SKILL.md files). An agent skill from millionco/expect.
A skill your agent uses when existing code has untestable dependencies that prevent writing tests -- direct construction of collaborators, static or global function calls, tight coupling to external…
Install Finding Seams
$ npx skills add citypaul/.dotfiles --skill finding-seams -a claude-codeProject install by default; add -g for ~/.claude/skills/.
$ gh skill install citypaul/.dotfiles finding-seams --agent claude-codeProject scope by default; add --scope user for a personal install. Needs GitHub CLI 2.90.0 or later (public preview).
$ git clone --depth 1 https://github.com/citypaul/.dotfiles.git skills-src && mkdir -p .claude/skills && cp -r skills-src/claude/.claude/skills/finding-seams .claude/skills/finding-seams && rm -rf skills-srcUse ~/.claude/skills/ instead of .claude/skills for a personal install. The folder must contain SKILL.md.
Claude Code skills documentation · loads skills from .claude/skills/
Install the "finding-seams" agent skill from https://github.com/citypaul/.dotfiles/tree/main/claude/.claude/skills/finding-seams into .claude/skills/finding-seams/ in this project. Copy the whole folder (SKILL.md and every file beside it), keep the folder name "finding-seams", then confirm the skill loads.Claude Code copies the folder itself, the same result as the manual copy. Check what it changed before you commit it.
$skill-installer install https://github.com/citypaul/.dotfiles/tree/main/claude/.claude/skills/finding-seamsType this inside Codex. $skill-installer <name> installs a curated skill from openai/skills. The installer writes to $CODEX_HOME/skills (default ~/.codex/skills). Restart Codex if the skill does not show up.
$ npx skills add citypaul/.dotfiles --skill finding-seams -a codexProject install goes to .agents/skills/; add -g for ~/.codex/skills/.
$ gh skill install citypaul/.dotfiles finding-seams --agent codexProject scope by default (.agents/skills/); add --scope user for a personal install.
$ git clone --depth 1 https://github.com/citypaul/.dotfiles.git skills-src && mkdir -p .agents/skills && cp -r skills-src/claude/.claude/skills/finding-seams .agents/skills/finding-seams && rm -rf skills-srcUse ~/.agents/skills/ instead of .agents/skills for a personal install.
Codex skills documentation · loads skills from .agents/skills/
Install the "finding-seams" agent skill from https://github.com/citypaul/.dotfiles/tree/main/claude/.claude/skills/finding-seams into .agents/skills/finding-seams/ in this project. Copy the whole folder (SKILL.md and every file beside it), keep the folder name "finding-seams", then confirm the skill loads.Codex copies the folder itself, the same result as the manual copy. Check what it changed before you commit it.
$ npx skills add citypaul/.dotfiles --skill finding-seams -a cursorProject install goes to .agents/skills/; add -g for ~/.cursor/skills/.
$ gh skill install citypaul/.dotfiles finding-seams --agent cursorProject scope by default (.agents/skills/); add --scope user for a personal install.
$ git clone --depth 1 https://github.com/citypaul/.dotfiles.git skills-src && mkdir -p .cursor/skills && cp -r skills-src/claude/.claude/skills/finding-seams .cursor/skills/finding-seams && rm -rf skills-srcUse ~/.cursor/skills/ instead of .cursor/skills for a personal install.
Cursor skills documentation · loads skills from .cursor/skills/, .agents/skills/, .claude/skills/, .codex/skills/
Install the "finding-seams" agent skill from https://github.com/citypaul/.dotfiles/tree/main/claude/.claude/skills/finding-seams into .cursor/skills/finding-seams/ in this project. Copy the whole folder (SKILL.md and every file beside it), keep the folder name "finding-seams", then confirm the skill loads.Cursor copies the folder itself, the same result as the manual copy. Check what it changed before you commit it.
$ gemini skills install https://github.com/citypaul/.dotfiles.git --path claude/.claude/skills/finding-seams--scope user (default) or --scope workspace; --path is the subfolder of the repo that holds the skill; --consent skips the security confirmation prompt.
$ npx skills add citypaul/.dotfiles --skill finding-seams -a gemini-cliProject install goes to .agents/skills/; add -g for ~/.gemini/skills/.
$ gh skill install citypaul/.dotfiles finding-seams --agent gemini-cliProject scope by default (.agents/skills/); add --scope user for a personal install.
$ git clone --depth 1 https://github.com/citypaul/.dotfiles.git skills-src && mkdir -p .gemini/skills && cp -r skills-src/claude/.claude/skills/finding-seams .gemini/skills/finding-seams && rm -rf skills-srcUse ~/.gemini/skills/ instead of .gemini/skills for a personal install, then run /skills reload.
Gemini CLI skills documentation · loads skills from .gemini/skills/, .agents/skills/
Install the "finding-seams" agent skill from https://github.com/citypaul/.dotfiles/tree/main/claude/.claude/skills/finding-seams into .gemini/skills/finding-seams/ in this project. Copy the whole folder (SKILL.md and every file beside it), keep the folder name "finding-seams", then confirm the skill loads.Gemini CLI copies the folder itself, the same result as the manual copy. Check what it changed before you commit it.
$ gh skill install citypaul/.dotfiles finding-seamsInstalls for Copilot at project scope by default; add --scope user for a personal install. Preview a skill first with gh skill preview. Needs GitHub CLI 2.90.0 or later (public preview).
$ npx skills add citypaul/.dotfiles --skill finding-seams -a github-copilotProject install goes to .agents/skills/; add -g for ~/.copilot/skills/.
$ git clone --depth 1 https://github.com/citypaul/.dotfiles.git skills-src && mkdir -p .github/skills && cp -r skills-src/claude/.claude/skills/finding-seams .github/skills/finding-seams && rm -rf skills-srcUse ~/.copilot/skills/ instead of .github/skills for a personal install. Commit .github/skills so cloud agent and code review can use it.
GitHub Copilot skills documentation · loads skills from .github/skills/, .claude/skills/, .agents/skills/
Install the "finding-seams" agent skill from https://github.com/citypaul/.dotfiles/tree/main/claude/.claude/skills/finding-seams into .github/skills/finding-seams/ in this project. Copy the whole folder (SKILL.md and every file beside it), keep the folder name "finding-seams", then confirm the skill loads.GitHub Copilot copies the folder itself, the same result as the manual copy. Check what it changed before you commit it.
$ npx skills add citypaul/.dotfiles --skill finding-seams -a opencodeOpenCode documents no install command of its own. Project install goes to .agents/skills/; add -g for ~/.config/opencode/skills/.
$ gh skill install citypaul/.dotfiles finding-seams --agent opencodeProject scope by default (.agents/skills/); add --scope user for a personal install.
$ git clone --depth 1 https://github.com/citypaul/.dotfiles.git skills-src && mkdir -p .opencode/skills && cp -r skills-src/claude/.claude/skills/finding-seams .opencode/skills/finding-seams && rm -rf skills-srcUse ~/.config/opencode/skills/ instead of .opencode/skills for a personal install.
OpenCode skills documentation · loads skills from .opencode/skills/, .claude/skills/, .agents/skills/
Install the "finding-seams" agent skill from https://github.com/citypaul/.dotfiles/tree/main/claude/.claude/skills/finding-seams into .opencode/skills/finding-seams/ in this project. Copy the whole folder (SKILL.md and every file beside it), keep the folder name "finding-seams", then confirm the skill loads.OpenCode copies the folder itself, the same result as the manual copy. Check what it changed before you commit it.
Facts
- Skill name
finding-seams- GitHub stars
- 740
- Token cost
- ~2.5k tokens
- SKILL.md length
- 1,221 words
- Files
- 4
- Skills in repo
- 44
- Repo updated
- First seen
- Licence
- Custom licence
At a glance
A skill your agent uses when existing code has untestable dependencies that prevent writing tests -- direct construction of collaborators, static or global function calls, tight coupling to external…
- Works in 4 steps: List every hidden dependency the… → Move each one to the argument list with… → Write the test by passing fakes in as… → …
- Existing code has untestable dependencies that prevent writing tests -- direct construction of collaborators
- SKILL.md covers Core Concept, When to Use, Quick Reference: Seam Types… and Putting Existing Code Under Test, plus 5 more sections
- Instructions only: no scripts, shell commands, URLs or credentials in SKILL.md
What it does
Finding Seams is an agent skill from citypaul/.dotfiles. Use when existing code has untestable dependencies that prevent writing tests -- direct construction of collaborators, static or global function calls, tight coupling to external systems, or singleton access patterns. Specifically for identifying substitution points (seams) that make legacy or tightly-coupled code testable without editing at the call site. Do NOT use for greenfield TDD (see tdd), general test writing patterns (see testing), or refactoring already-tested code (see refactoring).
Its SKILL.md is about 2.5k tokens, which your agent loads only when the skill is triggered. The skill folder holds 4 other files (for example `resources/creating-seams.md`, `resources/oop-patterns.md` and `resources/seam-types.md`).
It sits in Development, covering Test-driven development and Refactoring.
When your agent uses it
- Existing code has untestable dependencies that prevent writing tests -- direct construction of collaborators
- Global function calls
- Tight coupling to external systems
- Singleton access patterns
Example prompts
- “/finding-seams”
Workflow steps
4 steps, taken from the first numbered list in SKILL.md.
- List every hidden dependency the function reaches for -- collaborators it constructs, Date.now() / new Date(), process.env, singletons…
- Move each one to the argument list with a production default that reproduces today's behaviour exactly -- the new and the env read now…
- Write the test by passing fakes in as arguments. A fake is a stand-in you hand-write in the test and fully control: a literal like () =>…
- Remove any module mock of that dependency the existing tests carry -- the seam replaces it, and leaving both means the old test still…
What it can do on your machine
Read from SKILL.md and the folder at commit cd4028d. It shows what the files ask for, not the result of running them.
Tool permissions
Pre-approves nothing: there is no allowed-tools line, so your agent's usual permission prompts apply.
From allowed-tools in the SKILL.md frontmatter.
Runs code
No scripts in the folder and no shell commands in SKILL.md (its code samples are typescript).
From the folder's file list and the shell code blocks in SKILL.md.
Network
No URLs in SKILL.md.
From URLs in SKILL.md, links to its own repository left out.
Credentials
Names no API keys, tokens, secrets or passwords.
From names ending in _API_KEY, _TOKEN, _SECRET, _KEY or _PASSWORD in SKILL.md.
Context cost
Finding Seams loads about 2.5k tokens when it runs. Until then it costs about 128 tokens; SKILL.md has 1,221 words of instructions outside code blocks.
Estimates: characters ÷ 4, the usual rule of thumb; real counts depend on the model's tokenizer. Scripts and assets cost tokens only if the agent reads them.
Safety
Auto-check passed
The automated check found no risky patterns in SKILL.md.
Automated static check — not a guarantee. Review scripts before installing. It scans the text of SKILL.md for risky patterns (piping downloads into a shell, reading credential files, hidden Unicode, destructive commands); files beside SKILL.md are not scanned.
SKILL.md
Its licence (Custom licence) doesn't allow us to republish the file, so here is its outline and opening line. It has 1,221 words (~2,538 tokens).
“For writing tests that document existing behavior once you have seams, load the characterisation-tests skill. For test-driving new behavior, load the tdd skill. For general test patterns, load the testing skill. For refactoring after tests are in place, load the…”
- name
- finding-seams
Files
SKILL.md and 3 other files in claude/.claude/skills/finding-seams of citypaul/.dotfiles.
- SKILL.md
- resources/creating-seams.md
- resources/oop-patterns.md
- resources/seam-types.md
Open the folder on GitHubat commit cd4028d
Compare with similar skills
Finding Seams next to the 5 skills that share the most tags, products or categories with it. Stars are the repository's; “used in” counts other GitHub owners with a copy.
| Skill | Stars | Used in | Tokens | Auto-check | Licence | Repo updated |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Finding Seams this skillcitypaul/.dotfiles | 740 | — | ~2.5k | Automated safety check: Pass | Custom licence | |
| Skill Writingmillionco/expect | 3.6k | — | ~1.8k | Automated safety check: Pass | Custom licence | |
| Go Rigmudrii/openclaw-dashboard | 457 | — | ~2.8k | Automated safety check: Pass | MIT | |
| Go Rigmudrii/openclaw-dashboard | 457 | — | ~682 | Automated safety check: Pass | MIT | |
| Py Rigmudrii/hermesd | 118 | — | ~6.3k | Automated safety check: Pass | MIT | |
| Happier Implementhappier-dev/happier | 1.9k | — | ~4.2k | Automated safety check: Pass | MIT |
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Related
Categories
Questions about Finding Seams
What does Finding Seams do?
A skill your agent uses when existing code has untestable dependencies that prevent writing tests -- direct construction of collaborators, static or global function calls, tight coupling to external…. dotfiles. Use when existing code has untestable dependencies that prevent writing tests -- direct construction of collaborators, static or global function calls, tight coupling to external systems, or singleton access patterns.
When should I use Finding Seams?
Finding Seams fits situations like: existing code has untestable dependencies that prevent writing tests -- direct construction of collaborators; global function calls; tight coupling to external systems; singleton access patterns.
How do I install Finding Seams in Claude Code?
Run `npx skills add citypaul/.dotfiles --skill finding-seams -a claude-code`. Or copy the skill folder (claude/.claude/skills/finding-seams in citypaul/.dotfiles) into .claude/skills/finding-seams in your project. Claude Code loads it when a task matches its description.
How do I install Finding Seams in Codex?
Run `npx skills add citypaul/.dotfiles --skill finding-seams -a codex`. Or copy the skill folder (claude/.claude/skills/finding-seams in citypaul/.dotfiles) into .agents/skills/finding-seams in your project. Codex loads it when a task matches its description.
Can I use Finding Seams in Cursor, Gemini CLI or GitHub Copilot?
Cursor, Gemini CLI, GitHub Copilot and OpenCode also load SKILL.md folders. With the skills CLI, run `npx skills add citypaul/.dotfiles --skill finding-seams -a cursor` (or -a gemini-cli, github-copilot or opencode for the others). To copy it by hand, put the folder in .cursor/skills/finding-seams, .gemini/skills/finding-seams, .github/skills/finding-seams and .opencode/skills/finding-seams in your project.
What does Finding Seams need to run?
SKILL.md names no scripts, command-line tools or credentials: Finding Seams is instructions for the agent only.
Does Finding Seams access the network?
SKILL.md contains no URLs. Any network use would come from the scripts or tools the agent runs. This is read from the text; nothing was executed.
Is Finding Seams safe to install?
Our automated static check of SKILL.md found no risky patterns, such as piping downloads into a shell, reading credential files or hidden Unicode. It is not a guarantee. Review the folder before installing.
What licence does Finding Seams use?
Finding Seams has a licence file (the repository's licence) that doesn't match a standard licence. Read it on GitHub before reusing the skill.
How many tokens does Finding Seams use?
About 2.5k tokens (SKILL.md is roughly 10k characters). Agents keep only the skill's name and description in context until a task matches; then they load SKILL.md in full.
What are the alternatives to Finding Seams?
Skills that share tags, products or a category with Finding Seams: Skill Writing (millionco/expect, 3.6k stars), Go Rig (mudrii/openclaw-dashboard, 457 stars), Go Rig (mudrii/openclaw-dashboard, 457 stars) and Py Rig (mudrii/hermesd, 118 stars). The comparison table on this page puts their stars, adoption, token cost, safety result and licence side by side.
Who maintains Finding Seams?
citypaul (a GitHub user) maintains it in citypaul/.dotfiles, which has 740 GitHub stars. The repository holds 44 skills in this directory. The repository was last updated on October 9, 2026.
Source: citypaul/.dotfiles on GitHub. Facts on this page come from the repository at the commit we read; the author's words are quoted as theirs.