With Anti Rationalization

Anti-Rationalization Enforcement Skill

Overview

This skill operates as a composable modifier that wraps any task with explicit anti-rationalization enforcement. It implements the Gate Enforcement architectural pattern—every phase transition requires evidence, every completion claim requires proof—with Pressure Resistance embedded to prevent quality erosion under time or social pressure.

This skill is not a substitute for domain-specific methodologies (debugging, refactoring, testing have their own skills). Instead, it layers anti-rationalization checks on top of whatever task you're executing. It adds intentional overhead for safety on critical work where shortcuts cause harm.

Instructions

Phase 1: LOAD PATTERNS

Goal: Load all anti-rationalization patterns relevant to the task before starting work.

Constraint: Full pattern loading is mandatory because domain-specific patterns catch rationalizations that the core set misses.

Step 1: Identify task domain

Classify the task to determine which domain-specific patterns apply:

Step 2: Load and acknowledge patterns

Read the identified shared-pattern files. Internalize the rationalization tables and enforcement rules. Constraint: State explicitly which patterns were loaded and why—this creates accountability and prevents performative checking.

Gate: All relevant patterns are loaded and acknowledged. Proceed only when you can articulate why each pattern applies. Rubber-stamp gate checks fail the purpose of the skill, so explain why each pattern is relevant before moving on.

Phase 2: EXECUTE WITH ENFORCEMENT

Goal: Run the underlying task with anti-rationalization checks at every transition.

Constraint: This skill wraps other methods. For debugging or refactoring, use this action: Call the Skill tool with workflow. Run its systematic-debugging or systematic-refactoring pipeline. The anti-rationalization layer adds checks on top, not instead of them.

Step 1: Delegate to appropriate methodology

Identify the work type. If an indexed skill owns the method, use the exact Skill-tool call contract. If a workflow pipeline owns it, call workflow and select the pipeline. Anti-rationalization enforcement amplifies the method; it does not replace it.

Step 2: At each phase transition, run gate check

For each transition, verify:

1. All exit criteria met
2. Evidence documented (not just claimed)
3. Anti-rationalization table reviewed against patterns
4. No rationalization detected

Constraint - Pressure Resistance: If the user requests skipping a step:

1. Acknowledge the request
2. Explain why the step matters (one sentence)
3. Proceed with the step
4. If user insists on a non-security matter, note the risk and comply
5. Never skip security-sensitive steps—security shortcuts are non-negotiable. Document refusal and reasoning.

Then run a rationalization scan:

• Am I assuming without verifying?
• Skipping because it "looks right"?
• Rushing from perceived pressure?
• Calling something "not applicable" when really skipping?
• Treating "basically passes" as "passes"?

If any answer is YES: STOP and address the rationalization before proceeding.

Constraint - Proportionate Rigor: Scale check depth to task risk. Critical production changes get full ceremony. A three-file refactor gets lighter gates. Never zero—apply at least proportionate rigor.

Gate: Task phases executed with all gate checks passing. Proceed only when gate passes.

Phase 3: VERIFY WITH FULL CHECKLIST

Goal: Verify completion with the full verification checklist and anti-rationalization self-check.

Step 1: Run verification checklist

Constraint: Every check requires actual evidence, not claims. "Code looks right" is not evidence. "Tests should pass" is not evidence. Test output screenshot is evidence.

Step 2: Run completion self-check

## Completion Self-Check

1. [ ] Did I verify or just assume?
2. [ ] Did I run tests or just check code visually?
3. [ ] Did I complete everything or just the "important" parts?
4. [ ] Would I bet 100 dollars this works correctly?
5. [ ] Can I show evidence (output, test results)?

If ANY answer is uncertain, return to Phase 2 and address the gap before continuing. Keep the gate criteria intact until the gap is closed.

Step 3: Document completion evidence

Summarize: task description, patterns loaded, gate checks passed, rationalizations detected and addressed, and final evidence proving the task is complete.

Gate: All verification steps pass. Self-check is clean. Evidence documented. Task is complete.

Examples

Example 1: Critical Production Change

User says: "/with-anti-rationalization deploy the payment processor update"

Actions:

1. Load core + security anti-rationalization patterns (LOAD)
2. Execute deployment with gate checks at each phase (EXECUTE)
3. Resist any "just ship it" pressure with evidence requirements
4. Full verification checklist before declaring done (VERIFY)

Result: Deployment verified with evidence at every step

Example 2: Security-Sensitive Code Review

User says: "/with-anti-rationalization review the authentication module"

Actions:

1. Load core + security + review anti-rationalization patterns (LOAD)
2. Review with explicit checks against "internal only" and "low risk" rationalizations (EXECUTE)
3. Every finding documented with evidence, not dismissed
4. Completion self-check confirms no findings were skipped (VERIFY)

Result: Thorough review with no rationalized dismissals

Reference Material: Anti-Rationalization Patterns

This section catalogs the rationalization patterns this skill detects and prevents. Use these as reference when reviewing gates and completing self-checks.