compress

Q: How do I install compress?

Run npx skills add https://github.com/owainlewis/agent-skills --skill compress 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/compress/ (personal) or .claude/skills/compress/ (project).

by owainlewisAI & Agents

Shorten a prompt, specification, plan, skill, note, or brain dump without changing its meaning or behaviour. Use when asked to compress, shorten, simplify, tighten, remove repetition, or use fewer tokens. Preserve facts, constraints, examples, edge cases, and checks that affect the result.

Installs: 99
Last 24h: —
Trending rank: —
Security: Not audited

Install

Works with every agent the skills CLI supports.

npx skills add https://github.com/owainlewis/agent-skills --skill compress

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 compress 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.

Compress

Shorten the input without losing meaning.

Use this for information and instructions, not ordinary prose polishing. Use deslop when voice and writing quality are the main problem.

Process

Identify the purpose and intended reader or agent.
Extract the required content: facts, actions, inputs, outputs, constraints, defaults, examples, edge cases, checks, and stop conditions.
Remove repetition, throat-clearing, backstory, generic advice, motivational language, and structure that does not change understanding or behaviour.
Replace vague phrases with a concrete instruction only when the source supports it. Otherwise cut them.
Merge overlapping rules and place each fact once, where the reader needs it.
Rewrite in plain words and the smallest structure that preserves the logic.
Compare the result with the source. Restore anything whose removal changes the likely interpretation or outcome.

Keep

facts, numbers, names, paths, commands, schemas, and citations
explicit scope, priorities, and exceptions
requirements created by past failures
defaults that resolve real ambiguity
examples that define a format or expose an edge case
verification, failure behaviour, and stop conditions
useful voice when compressing a brain dump or note

Cut

repeated goals, summaries, and conclusions
obvious preambles and narration about the document
baseline advice such as "be thorough" or "use good judgement"
adjectives such as "robust," "polished," and "production-ready" without a test
hedging that does not change confidence or responsibility
examples that merely repeat the rule
headings, bullets, or steps that add shape but no meaning
synonyms for a term already named clearly

Test every cut

Ask: if this disappears, could a capable reader act differently or lose a fact, limit, decision, warning, or piece of voice?

If no, cut it. If yes, keep it or rewrite it more clearly.

Return only the compressed result unless the user asks for a summary of changes.

FAQ

What does the compress skill do?

How do I install compress?

Run npx skills add https://github.com/owainlewis/agent-skills --skill compress 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/compress/ (personal) or .claude/skills/compress/ (project).

Which AI agents can use compress?

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 compress 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 compress?

It is published by owainlewis in owainlewis/agent-skills. It has 99 recorded installs.

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