"I-dont-need-Ruben-anymore" really??? I refuse to type it! 😤I'm just going to copy-paste it so I don't have to actually say those words. 😤 Elements of genius, emotional damage aside...Thanks X 10,000 @Ruben!🙏😉
Claude gives the usual caution after reading this. 😉🤔
It’s a Substack post by Ruben Hassid about a Claude “skill” called /how-to that he built — a guided prompt that walks users step-by-step through whatever they’re trying to do with Claude (asks clarifying questions, lays out a plan, etc.).
A few things worth flagging:
• It’s downloaded via a password-protected Dropbox link, not a verified source — I’d be cautious installing skill files from random links, since skills can contain arbitrary instructions that get executed in your Claude sessions.
• Some content (references to “Fable-5,” “Opus 4.8”) describes things I can’t verify exist.
• The mechanics described (uploading a skill via Customize → Skills, using /skillname) match real Claude functionality, but I can’t vouch for what this specific file contains.
If you want a “how-to” helper, I can just walk you through tasks step-by-step directly — no download needed.
1/ a skill is a prompt in a text file. there’s no malware and only text.
2/ Opus 4.8 exists. Fable-5 too, until the US government blocked it.
3/ you could ask Claude to walk you through tasks directly but that's what my skill does for you. its better because you'd never prompt it out yourself every time you want to use it.
This is a great point, not a complaint, but this is an opertunity to learn the security helps Claude has, including this warning.
I am not directly concerted with this Claude Authors material I trust it, but I know I can have claude look things over in a safe way.
In fact one web page I was going to use, Claude scanned it all, without running it, and found executable commands that an AI running the material could have auto triggered, but using Claude with wisdom we can be protected, But know that the dangers of code being intentionally embedded in web pages and the like is real.
Each one of your blogs give me a refined version after you’ve done all the messy testing yourself. I get to skip the trial and error and get straight to the conclusion. Thanks for being so generous!
Hey Ruben, thanks for this. For those of us getting scary pop-ups about the download containing malware - I'm not inclined to bypass that - will you please paste text we can copy?
I heart you and appreciate you dearly! Thank you tremendously for all that you do to help people to help people to make this world a better place. Blessings and love to you, my friend. 🙏🏾🌍🙌🏾💜🫶🏾
"I-dont-need-Ruben-anymore" really??? I refuse to type it! 😤I'm just going to copy-paste it so I don't have to actually say those words. 😤 Elements of genius, emotional damage aside...Thanks X 10,000 @Ruben!🙏😉
honestly, you (might) still need me. Claude doesn't test things for days so you don't have to, but i do :)
So good Ruben ! As usual!
This news letter is not expensive enough trust me
thanks, Yonathan. it will stay free!! :)
This is Good
Thanks for sharing Ruben
You’re the Best 💪
thanks, Samuel. did you get to try it?
Nice skill !
I really liked the "ELI5" prompt. When we are not experts in the field, simpler is better !
sometimes a kid-friendly explanation is all we need!
Claude gives the usual caution after reading this. 😉🤔
It’s a Substack post by Ruben Hassid about a Claude “skill” called /how-to that he built — a guided prompt that walks users step-by-step through whatever they’re trying to do with Claude (asks clarifying questions, lays out a plan, etc.).
A few things worth flagging:
• It’s downloaded via a password-protected Dropbox link, not a verified source — I’d be cautious installing skill files from random links, since skills can contain arbitrary instructions that get executed in your Claude sessions.
• Some content (references to “Fable-5,” “Opus 4.8”) describes things I can’t verify exist.
• The mechanics described (uploading a skill via Customize → Skills, using /skillname) match real Claude functionality, but I can’t vouch for what this specific file contains.
If you want a “how-to” helper, I can just walk you through tasks step-by-step directly — no download needed.
hey Sean,
1/ a skill is a prompt in a text file. there’s no malware and only text.
2/ Opus 4.8 exists. Fable-5 too, until the US government blocked it.
3/ you could ask Claude to walk you through tasks directly but that's what my skill does for you. its better because you'd never prompt it out yourself every time you want to use it.
This is a great point, not a complaint, but this is an opertunity to learn the security helps Claude has, including this warning.
I am not directly concerted with this Claude Authors material I trust it, but I know I can have claude look things over in a safe way.
In fact one web page I was going to use, Claude scanned it all, without running it, and found executable commands that an AI running the material could have auto triggered, but using Claude with wisdom we can be protected, But know that the dangers of code being intentionally embedded in web pages and the like is real.
Nice share, good for peole to know.
-M. Emmett Townsend
don’t worry we still will need you Ruben!
hey i’m not going anywhere :)
Everyone's obsessed with writing the perfect prompt. It was never the point.
You type /how-to and suddenly Claude is interrogating YOU.
Where are you stuck?
What does done look like?
What can't you do?
Six months of "prompt engineering" courses just got thrown out by a slash command that asks better questions than I ever did.
The skill just refuses to start until you've actually thought about what you want.
the prompt was always the wrong obsession. what was and still is the moat is knowing how to ask, and this skill doesn't let you skip the thinking.
months of prompt engineering courses replaced by actually knowing what you want. funny how that works.
Each one of your blogs give me a refined version after you’ve done all the messy testing yourself. I get to skip the trial and error and get straight to the conclusion. Thanks for being so generous!
that’s exactly the job: test 100, only ship the 1. never skip the trial and error on your own stuff though.
the power of the slash....
one character with all the right context behind it
Honestly the most thought-provoking title I have seen in a while, will definitely read this.
what were your thoughts? :)
If the cost of reading this POST is to lose you. We will stop right here.
if you want someone to figure out what went wrong, and write it up so your 10 minutes are worth something, then do stay :)
If not you, I would be bad in Claude still.
Top tier lessons🙌
credit yourself also, you did the work!!
Hey it’s great thanks
appreciate it! have you set it up, John?
Thanks Ruben.
I think the next question is how u maintain it?
The skill need to have continuous updating and it seems that is static which is kinda problematic.
Did u think to use Claude plugin mechanism for that?
Claude can update any skill in a chat. you could prompt it with something like "update the skill /[name of the skill]" and it would work.
and yes, in theory you should update any skill often as you can.
Hey Ruben, thanks for this. For those of us getting scary pop-ups about the download containing malware - I'm not inclined to bypass that - will you please paste text we can copy?
hey Kera, i sent you a dm!
You're the best, Ruben! I got it and built the how-to skill - then followed your guide for LinkedIn optimization. Thanks so much.
I heart you and appreciate you dearly! Thank you tremendously for all that you do to help people to help people to make this world a better place. Blessings and love to you, my friend. 🙏🏾🌍🙌🏾💜🫶🏾
thanks for the kind words, Kinni. all the best to you too.