Apply Hunt and Thomas-inspired pragmatic programming rules when improving engineering judgment, feedback loops, DRY knowledge, orthogonality, automation, or adaptability.
SkillScore86Maintained
Automatic
◆Coding pack
Last verified 10/11/2026
What it changes
Passed 19 of 22 test cases with the skill, and 17 of 22 without it.
Without skill77%
With skill86%
Checks it passed that the model alone missed
identifies the fix as programming by coincidence
advises fixing the bad code immediately rather than leaving broken windows
explains that leaving bad code uncorrected leads to further software decay
and 1 more in the full report
3 fixed16 passed either way2 still failing1 broke
Pass-rate lift
+9 pp
Tokens
-14%
Agent turns
0%
Response time
-19%
Model gemini-3.6-flashMeasured 10/11/2026v119 of 22 cases passed with skill
Tokens, turns and time describe resource use, not a dollar price.
See it in action
One of 3 test cases the skill fixed. Same model, same prompt, with and without the skill.
1 of 3
Prompt
We are starting a new e-mail processing microservice. The team is debating how to validate the end-to-end architecture (ingestion -> queue -> parser -> DB). One developer wants to build a quick throwaway Python script to test parser regexes, while another wants to construct a skeleton pipeline with actual messaging queues and dummy data handlers that will stay in the codebase. Which approach represents tracer bullet development for validating the architectural flow?
What was checked, without and with the skill
Checked
Without skill
With skill
recommends building the production-bound skeleton pipeline over throwaway code
Missed
Passed
identifies the skeleton pipeline approach as tracer bullet development
Passed
Passed
case-01 · gemini-3.6-flash · 10/11/2026 · answers are capped and redacted
What's inside
The instructions your model reads when the skill loads.
SKILL.md5 linessingle file
The Pragmatic Programmer Skill
Use this skill when a task involves pragmatic engineering judgment, responsibility, DRY at the knowledge level, orthogonality, automation, prototyping, fast feedback, or adaptable design.
Before making design or code decisions, read and apply the-pragmatic-programmer.mini.md. Use the-pragmatic-programmer.md only as a deeper reference when the mini rules are not enough for the current engineering tradeoff.