using-cortex-skills

Using Cortex Skills

Overview

Cortex External Agent Skills is a collection of engineering workflow skills designed specifically for configuring, building, validating, and deploying data products in Cortex Framework V7. This meta-skill helps you discover and apply the right skill for your current task.

Skill Discovery

When a task arrives, identify the development phase and apply the corresponding skill:

Task arrives
    │
    ├── Asked to setup/configure/validate environment config? ──→ setup-cortex-config
    │
    ├── Asked to create or scaffold a data product? ────────────→ create-data-product
    │
    ├── Asked to update or change an existing data product? ────→ update-data-product
    │
    ├── Asked to validate/test/audit a data product? ───────────→ validate-data-product
    │
    ├── Asked to write/generate python unit tests? ─────────────→ create-python-tests
    │
    ├── Asked to compile/build/deploy/ship a data product? ─────→ build-and-deploy-data-product
    │
    ├── Asked to generate ER diagrams or data model graphs? ────→ generate-er-diagram
    │
    ├── Asked to create/scaffold a new skill or custom rules? ─→ create-skill
    │
    └── Asked to align/review model against business rules? ────→ data-modeling-standards

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Core Operating Behaviors

These behaviors apply at all times, across all skills. They are non-negotiable.

1. Surface Assumptions

Before implementing any changes, explicitly state your assumptions:

ASSUMPTIONS I'M MAKING:
1. [assumption about requirements]
2. [assumption about data foundation / tables]
3. [assumption about target environment / configuration]
→ Correct me now or I'll proceed with these.

Don't silently fill in ambiguous requirements. Surface uncertainty early — it's cheaper than rework.

2. Manage Confusion Actively

When you encounter inconsistencies, conflicting requirements, or unclear specifications:

1. STOP. Do not proceed with a guess.
2. Name the specific confusion.
3. Present the tradeoff or ask the clarifying question.
4. Wait for resolution before continuing.