SKILL.md
Reference Letter Skill
A reference is believed when it's specific: concrete examples beat adjectives, and the reader can tell you actually know the person. This skill writes a letter that establishes your credibility to comment, gives real evidence of the person's strengths, and makes a clear, tailored recommendation for the decision at hand.
Working from a brief
Given "write a reference for my report applying for a senior role", write the full letter anyway — infer plausible, concrete examples from the relationship described, clearly marking invented specifics as (example — replace with a real instance) so the writer swaps in true details. Never hand back a hollow template of adjectives.
Required Inputs
Ask for these only if they aren't already provided (else infer and label for replacement):
- Who & what for — the person, and what they're applying for (job/role, school/program, tenancy).
- Your relationship — how you know them, in what capacity, and for how long.
- Their strengths — the qualities/skills to highlight, ideally with real examples.
- The reader's priorities — what the recipient is deciding and what matters to them.
- Tone & format — formal letter vs. email; and any length limit.
Output Format
Reference Letter
- Opening — who you are, your relationship to the candidate, how long and in what capacity (establishes credibility).
- Endorsement — a clear statement of your recommendation up front.
- Evidence — 2–3 specific examples that demonstrate the strengths that matter for this decision (a result, a behaviour, a moment) — not a list of traits.
- Comparative context — where appropriate, how they stand out ("one of the most … I've worked with"), kept honest.
- Fit for the role — tie their strengths directly to what the reader is deciding.
- Close — a confident final recommendation and an offer to discuss, with contact details.
Mark any invented specifics as . Provide a if useful.
