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Install
Works with every agent the skills CLI supports.
npx skills add https://github.com/obra/superpowers-skills --skill meta-pattern-recognition- 01
Install
Run the command in your project. The CLI asks which agents to install for.
- 02
Describe the task
Ask your agent for something this skill covers. It loads meta-pattern recognition automatically when relevant.
- 03
Review the result
The agent follows the SKILL.md steps, scripts and references bundled with the skill.
SKILL.md
The instructions your agent reads when the skill is triggered.
Meta-Pattern Recognition
Overview
When the same pattern appears in 3+ domains, it's probably a universal principle worth extracting.
Core principle: Find patterns in how patterns emerge.
Quick Reference
| Pattern Appears In | Abstract Form | Where Else? |
|---|---|---|
| CPU/DB/HTTP/DNS caching | Store frequently-accessed data closer | LLM prompt caching, CDN |
| Layering (network/storage/compute) | Separate concerns into abstraction levels | Architecture, organization |
| Queuing (message/task/request) | Decouple producer from consumer with buffer | Event systems, async processing |
| Pooling (connection/thread/object) | Reuse expensive resources | Memory management, resource governance |
Process
- Spot repetition - See same shape in 3+ places
- Extract abstract form - Describe independent of any domain
- Identify variations - How does it adapt per domain?
- Check applicability - Where else might this help?
Example
Pattern spotted: Rate limiting in API throttling, traffic shaping, circuit breakers, admission control
Abstract form: Bound resource consumption to prevent exhaustion
Variation points: What resource, what limit, what happens when exceeded
New application: LLM token budgets (same pattern - prevent context window exhaustion)
Red Flags You're Missing Meta-Patterns
- "This problem is unique" (probably not)
- Multiple teams independently solving "different" problems identically
- Reinventing wheels across domains
- "Haven't we done something like this?" (yes, find it)
Remember
- 3+ domains = likely universal
- Abstract form reveals new applications
- Variations show adaptation points
- Universal patterns are battle-tested
FAQ
What does the meta-pattern recognition skill do?
Spot patterns appearing in 3+ domains to find universal principles
How do I install meta-pattern recognition?
Run npx skills add https://github.com/obra/superpowers-skills --skill meta-pattern-recognition in your project. The skills CLI detects the agents you use and copies the skill into the right folder. For Claude Code you can also place the skill folder at ~/.claude/skills/meta-pattern-recognition/ (personal) or .claude/skills/meta-pattern-recognition/ (project).
Which AI agents can use meta-pattern recognition?
Any agent that supports the open Agent Skills format (a folder with a SKILL.md file), including Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, GitHub Copilot, Gemini CLI, Windsurf, Cline, OpenCode and more.
Is meta-pattern recognition safe to install?
No partner security audit is available yet. Skills can run commands and scripts, so read the SKILL.md and any bundled files before installing.
Who maintains meta-pattern recognition?
It is published by obra in obra/superpowers-skills. It has 514 recorded installs.
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