Use this plugin when you need a structured workflow rather than a one-off answer. Its capabilities are organized into focused skills so you can start broad, then go deeper where the work requires it.
Code Review
Codebase Design
Diagnosing Bugs
Domain Modeling
Grilling
Handoff And Context
Use cases
Ask Software Engineering Toolkit to apply code review to a real project, document, or decision and explain the assumptions it used.
Ask Software Engineering Toolkit to apply codebase design to a real project, document, or decision and explain the assumptions it used.
Ask Software Engineering Toolkit to apply diagnosing bugs to a real project, document, or decision and explain the assumptions it used.
Ask Software Engineering Toolkit to apply domain modeling to a real project, document, or decision and explain the assumptions it used.
Ask Software Engineering Toolkit to apply grilling to a real project, document, or decision and explain the assumptions it used.
Skills included
code review
Review changes against both engineering standards and the originating specification.
What it helps with
Use Code Review to turn a focused Software Engineering Toolkit task into a clearer, repeatable workflow.
Example use
Ask Software Engineering Toolkit to apply code review to a real project, document, or decision and explain the assumptions it used.
Prompt pattern
Use Code Review for [specific goal]. Context: [relevant files, audience, inputs, or constraints]. Return: [desired format] and flag uncertainties.
codebase design
Design deep modules with small interfaces, clear seams, and testable responsibilities.
What it helps with
Use Codebase Design to turn a focused Software Engineering Toolkit task into a clearer, repeatable workflow.
Example use
Ask Software Engineering Toolkit to apply codebase design to a real project, document, or decision and explain the assumptions it used.
Prompt pattern
Use Codebase Design for [specific goal]. Context: [relevant files, audience, inputs, or constraints]. Return: [desired format] and flag uncertainties.
diagnosing bugs
Diagnose bugs and regressions through reproduction, minimization, instrumentation, fixing, and regression testing.
What it helps with
Use Diagnosing Bugs to turn a focused Software Engineering Toolkit task into a clearer, repeatable workflow.
Example use
Ask Software Engineering Toolkit to apply diagnosing bugs to a real project, document, or decision and explain the assumptions it used.
Prompt pattern
Use Diagnosing Bugs for [specific goal]. Context: [relevant files, audience, inputs, or constraints]. Return: [desired format] and flag uncertainties.
domain modeling
Build a shared vocabulary and test it against real scenarios before changing code.
What it helps with
Use Domain Modeling to turn a focused Software Engineering Toolkit task into a clearer, repeatable workflow.
Example use
Ask Software Engineering Toolkit to apply domain modeling to a real project, document, or decision and explain the assumptions it used.
Prompt pattern
Use Domain Modeling for [specific goal]. Context: [relevant files, audience, inputs, or constraints]. Return: [desired format] and flag uncertainties.
grilling
Interview the user until a plan, design, or decision is specific enough to execute.
What it helps with
Use Grilling to turn a focused Software Engineering Toolkit task into a clearer, repeatable workflow.
Example use
Ask Software Engineering Toolkit to apply grilling to a real project, document, or decision and explain the assumptions it used.
Prompt pattern
Use Grilling for [specific goal]. Context: [relevant files, audience, inputs, or constraints]. Return: [desired format] and flag uncertainties.
handoff and context
Create compact handoffs and shared project context so another agent can continue accurately.
What it helps with
Use Handoff And Context to turn a focused Software Engineering Toolkit task into a clearer, repeatable workflow.
Example use
Ask Software Engineering Toolkit to apply handoff and context to a real project, document, or decision and explain the assumptions it used.
Prompt pattern
Use Handoff And Context for [specific goal]. Context: [relevant files, audience, inputs, or constraints]. Return: [desired format] and flag uncertainties.
implementation
Implement specs or tickets in small slices with tests, review, and a clear completion report.
What it helps with
Use Implementation to turn a focused Software Engineering Toolkit task into a clearer, repeatable workflow.
Example use
Ask Software Engineering Toolkit to apply implementation to a real project, document, or decision and explain the assumptions it used.
Prompt pattern
Use Implementation for [specific goal]. Context: [relevant files, audience, inputs, or constraints]. Return: [desired format] and flag uncertainties.
merge conflicts
Resolve merge or rebase conflicts by tracing intent and preserving both sides where appropriate.
What it helps with
Use Merge Conflicts to turn a focused Software Engineering Toolkit task into a clearer, repeatable workflow.
Example use
Ask Software Engineering Toolkit to apply merge conflicts to a real project, document, or decision and explain the assumptions it used.
Prompt pattern
Use Merge Conflicts for [specific goal]. Context: [relevant files, audience, inputs, or constraints]. Return: [desired format] and flag uncertainties.
prototyping
Build small throwaway prototypes to answer uncertain design, interaction, or technical questions.
What it helps with
Use Prototyping to turn a focused Software Engineering Toolkit task into a clearer, repeatable workflow.
Example use
Ask Software Engineering Toolkit to apply prototyping to a real project, document, or decision and explain the assumptions it used.
Prompt pattern
Use Prototyping for [specific goal]. Context: [relevant files, audience, inputs, or constraints]. Return: [desired format] and flag uncertainties.
research
Investigate engineering questions with high-trust primary sources and cited findings.
What it helps with
Use Research to turn a focused Software Engineering Toolkit task into a clearer, repeatable workflow.
Example use
Ask Software Engineering Toolkit to apply research to a real project, document, or decision and explain the assumptions it used.
Prompt pattern
Use Research for [specific goal]. Context: [relevant files, audience, inputs, or constraints]. Return: [desired format] and flag uncertainties.
software engineering toolkit
Route engineering work into disciplined alignment, design, testing, diagnosis, review, research, and delivery workflows.
What it helps with
Use Software Engineering Toolkit to turn a focused Software Engineering Toolkit task into a clearer, repeatable workflow.
Example use
Ask Software Engineering Toolkit to apply software engineering toolkit to a real project, document, or decision and explain the assumptions it used.
Prompt pattern
Use Software Engineering Toolkit for [specific goal]. Context: [relevant files, audience, inputs, or constraints]. Return: [desired format] and flag uncertainties.
tdd
Drive implementation with a red-green-refactor loop and meaningful behavior tests.
What it helps with
Use Tdd to turn a focused Software Engineering Toolkit task into a clearer, repeatable workflow.
Example use
Ask Software Engineering Toolkit to apply tdd to a real project, document, or decision and explain the assumptions it used.
Prompt pattern
Use Tdd for [specific goal]. Context: [relevant files, audience, inputs, or constraints]. Return: [desired format] and flag uncertainties.
to spec
Turn a conversation or request into a precise, testable engineering specification.
What it helps with
Use To Spec to turn a focused Software Engineering Toolkit task into a clearer, repeatable workflow.
Example use
Ask Software Engineering Toolkit to apply to spec to a real project, document, or decision and explain the assumptions it used.
Prompt pattern
Use To Spec for [specific goal]. Context: [relevant files, audience, inputs, or constraints]. Return: [desired format] and flag uncertainties.
to tickets
Break a plan into small tracer-bullet tickets with dependencies and completion criteria.
What it helps with
Use To Tickets to turn a focused Software Engineering Toolkit task into a clearer, repeatable workflow.
Example use
Ask Software Engineering Toolkit to apply to tickets to a real project, document, or decision and explain the assumptions it used.
Prompt pattern
Use To Tickets for [specific goal]. Context: [relevant files, audience, inputs, or constraints]. Return: [desired format] and flag uncertainties.
writing for agents
Write concise, discoverable instructions and project documents that agents can follow reliably.
What it helps with
Use Writing For Agents to turn a focused Software Engineering Toolkit task into a clearer, repeatable workflow.
Example use
Ask Software Engineering Toolkit to apply writing for agents to a real project, document, or decision and explain the assumptions it used.
Prompt pattern
Use Writing For Agents for [specific goal]. Context: [relevant files, audience, inputs, or constraints]. Return: [desired format] and flag uncertainties.
How to use Software Engineering Toolkit
Start with a specific outcome and provide the relevant context.
Ask the plugin to show its assumptions and structure the result.
Review the first result, add missing constraints, and request a focused revision.
Save the final output in the format your workflow needs.
Example prompts
Help me use Software Engineering Toolkit to achieve [goal]. Context: [details]. Return [format] and list assumptions.
Apply the Software Engineering Toolkit workflow to this input: [paste input]. First explain your approach, then produce the result.
Review this result from Software Engineering Toolkit against these criteria: [criteria]. Recommend the smallest improvements.
How to get maximum benefit
Name the audience, goal, inputs, constraints, and output format.
Give the plugin one clear job per request before expanding scope.
Ask it to identify uncertainty rather than filling gaps with guesses.
Review important outputs before publishing or acting on them.
Limitations and safe use
Results depend on the quality and completeness of the context provided.
Review important factual, technical, financial, legal, medical, or public-facing outputs before use.
The plugin should support decisions and workflows, not replace qualified human judgment.
Frequently asked questions
What is Software Engineering Toolkit?
Software Engineering Toolkit is a developer tools plugin created by The Doers Firm. It includes 15 focused skills for developers, engineers, and technical teams.
How do I get the best results from Software Engineering Toolkit?
Give it a specific goal, relevant context, constraints, and a desired output format. Ask it to surface assumptions and revise the result against clear criteria.
Plugin policies and support
Our policies cover The Doers Firm plugins for Codex and ChatGPT. Review the installed version and any connected service permissions before use.
