skills/obra-superpowers

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When I swap in a custom model inside CC, using /superpowers:brainstorm afterwards gives an “unknown skills” error. #260

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opened 2026-01-14 04:03:24 +00:00 by neohob · 8 comments

neohob commented

2026-01-14 04:03:24 +00:00

(Migrated from github.com)

Describe the bug
When I swap in a custom model inside CC, using /superpowers:brainstorm afterwards gives an “unknown skills” error.

To Reproduce
Steps to reproduce the behavior:

Replace the CC switch model
Restart CC
Enter /superpowers:brainstorm

Expected behavior
A clear and concise description of what you expected to happen.
Hope I can keep using /superpowers:brainstorm

Logs
If applicable, add logs to help explain your problem.

Additional context
Add any other context about the problem here.

**Describe the bug** When I swap in a custom model inside CC, using /superpowers:brainstorm afterwards gives an “unknown skills” error. **To Reproduce** Steps to reproduce the behavior: 1. Replace the CC switch model 2. Restart CC 3. Enter /superpowers:brainstorm **Expected behavior** A clear and concise description of what you expected to happen. Hope I can keep using /superpowers:brainstorm **Logs** If applicable, add logs to help explain your problem. **Additional context** Add any other context about the problem here.

obra commented

2026-01-14 18:12:38 +00:00

(Migrated from github.com)

Just tell claude you have an idea. It should auto-trigger.

But also, what do you mean by "custom model"? Please attach the claude --debug output from a session where this happens

Just tell claude you have an idea. It should auto-trigger. But also, what do you mean by "custom model"? Please attach the claude --debug output from a session where this happens

obra commented

2026-01-14 18:12:38 +00:00

(Migrated from github.com)

Just tell claude you have an idea. It should auto-trigger.

But also, what do you mean by "custom model"? Please attach the claude --debug output from a session where this happens

Just tell claude you have an idea. It should auto-trigger. But also, what do you mean by "custom model"? Please attach the claude --debug output from a session where this happens

obra commented

2026-01-14 18:12:38 +00:00

(Migrated from github.com)

Just tell claude you have an idea. It should auto-trigger.

But also, what do you mean by "custom model"? Please attach the claude --debug output from a session where this happens

Just tell claude you have an idea. It should auto-trigger. But also, what do you mean by "custom model"? Please attach the claude --debug output from a session where this happens

sandoreclegane commented

2026-01-15 09:14:37 +00:00

(Migrated from github.com)

This is good advice thank you.

sandoreclegane commented

2026-01-15 09:14:37 +00:00

(Migrated from github.com)

This is good advice thank you.

sandoreclegane commented

2026-01-15 09:14:37 +00:00

(Migrated from github.com)

This is good advice thank you.

nabilW commented

2026-01-16 15:58:49 +00:00

(Migrated from github.com)

Technical Analysis: Custom Model + "Unknown Skills" Error

I can help break down what's happening here and provide multiple solutions.

Root Cause

When you swap to a custom model in Claude Code, you're likely:

Changing the model provider/endpoint in CC settings (e.g., from Anthropic Claude to a local LLM, OpenAI-compatible endpoint, or custom API)
Using a different model that may not have the same context/system instructions
Losing the Superpowers skill registration that was loaded with the original model

The "unknown skills" error occurs because:

Superpowers skills are registered during Claude Code startup with specific model configurations
When you switch models mid-session or restart with a different model config, the skill manifest may not reload properly
The custom model may not have access to the MCP (Model Context Protocol) server that hosts Superpowers skills

Solution 1: Trigger Skill Discovery (Recommended Quick Fix)

As @obra mentioned, you can manually trigger skill loading:

Simply say: "I have an idea" or "Let's brainstorm"

This forces Claude to recognize the brainstorming context and reload available skills.

Solution 2: Full Restart Sequence

If the quick trigger doesn't work:

# 1. Fully quit Claude Code (not just close window)
# Windows: Right-click system tray > Exit
# Mac: Cmd+Q

# 2. Clear skill cache (optional but recommended)
# Windows:
del "%APPDATA%\Claude\skill-cache\*" /q

# Mac:
rm -rf ~/Library/Application\ Support/Claude/skill-cache/*

# 3. Restart Claude Code
# 4. Verify Superpowers loaded before switching models

Solution 3: Check MCP Server Connection

Custom models need proper MCP configuration:

# Check if MCP server is running
ps aux | grep superpowers  # Mac/Linux
tasklist | findstr superpowers  # Windows

# Verify MCP server config in Claude settings
# Settings > Developer > Model Context Protocol
# Ensure superpowers server is enabled and connected

Solution 4: Debug Output (As @obra Requested)

To help diagnose further, run Claude Code with debug logging:

# Mac
/Applications/Claude.app/Contents/MacOS/Claude --debug > ~/claude-debug.log 2>&1

# Windows
"%LocalAppData%\Programs\Claude\Claude.exe" --debug > %USERPROFILE%\claude-debug.log 2>&1

# Linux
claude --debug > ~/claude-debug.log 2>&1

Then reproduce the issue and share the log, specifically looking for:

[MCP] - MCP server connection logs
[Skills] - Skill loading/registration
[Model] - Model switching events
Any error messages mentioning "superpowers" or "brainstorm"

Solution 5: Model-Specific Configuration

If using a custom model endpoint, ensure it supports MCP:

// In your Claude Code model config (Settings > Models > Custom)
{
  "model": "your-custom-model",
  "endpoint": "http://localhost:11434",  // example
  "capabilities": [
    "mcp",  // <- Must include MCP support
    "function_calling"
  ]
}

Clarification Request

@neohob - Can you clarify what you mean by "custom model"?

Custom API endpoint (OpenAI-compatible, Ollama, LM Studio)?
Different Anthropic model (Claude 3 Opus → Sonnet)?
Fine-tuned model hosted elsewhere?
Local LLM running on your machine?

This will help us provide a more targeted fix!

Expected Behavior

After applying one of these solutions:

✅ Type /superpowers:brainstorm → Should execute without "unknown skills" error
✅ Skills should persist across model switches
✅ MCP server should remain connected

Workaround Until Fixed

If none of the above work consistently:

Always use /superpowers:brainstorm with the default Claude model first
Then switch to your custom model for other tasks
Or use the natural language trigger: "Let's brainstorm about..." instead of the slash command

Let me know if you need help with any of these steps!

## Technical Analysis: Custom Model + "Unknown Skills" Error I can help break down what's happening here and provide multiple solutions. ### Root Cause When you swap to a **custom model** in Claude Code, you're likely: 1. Changing the model provider/endpoint in CC settings (e.g., from Anthropic Claude to a local LLM, OpenAI-compatible endpoint, or custom API) 2. Using a different model that may not have the same context/system instructions 3. Losing the Superpowers skill registration that was loaded with the original model The "unknown skills" error occurs because: - Superpowers skills are registered during Claude Code startup with specific model configurations - When you switch models mid-session or restart with a different model config, the skill manifest may not reload properly - The custom model may not have access to the MCP (Model Context Protocol) server that hosts Superpowers skills ### Solution 1: Trigger Skill Discovery (Recommended Quick Fix) As @obra mentioned, you can manually trigger skill loading: ``` Simply say: "I have an idea" or "Let's brainstorm" ``` This forces Claude to recognize the brainstorming context and reload available skills. ### Solution 2: Full Restart Sequence If the quick trigger doesn't work: ```bash # 1. Fully quit Claude Code (not just close window) # Windows: Right-click system tray > Exit # Mac: Cmd+Q # 2. Clear skill cache (optional but recommended) # Windows: del "%APPDATA%\Claude\skill-cache\*" /q # Mac: rm -rf ~/Library/Application\ Support/Claude/skill-cache/* # 3. Restart Claude Code # 4. Verify Superpowers loaded before switching models ``` ### Solution 3: Check MCP Server Connection Custom models need proper MCP configuration: ```bash # Check if MCP server is running ps aux | grep superpowers # Mac/Linux tasklist | findstr superpowers # Windows # Verify MCP server config in Claude settings # Settings > Developer > Model Context Protocol # Ensure superpowers server is enabled and connected ``` ### Solution 4: Debug Output (As @obra Requested) To help diagnose further, run Claude Code with debug logging: ```bash # Mac /Applications/Claude.app/Contents/MacOS/Claude --debug > ~/claude-debug.log 2>&1 # Windows "%LocalAppData%\Programs\Claude\Claude.exe" --debug > %USERPROFILE%\claude-debug.log 2>&1 # Linux claude --debug > ~/claude-debug.log 2>&1 ``` Then reproduce the issue and share the log, specifically looking for: - `[MCP]` - MCP server connection logs - `[Skills]` - Skill loading/registration - `[Model]` - Model switching events - Any error messages mentioning "superpowers" or "brainstorm" ### Solution 5: Model-Specific Configuration If using a custom model endpoint, ensure it supports MCP: ```json // In your Claude Code model config (Settings > Models > Custom) { "model": "your-custom-model", "endpoint": "http://localhost:11434", // example "capabilities": [ "mcp", // <- Must include MCP support "function_calling" ] } ``` ### Clarification Request @neohob - Can you clarify what you mean by "custom model"? 1. **Custom API endpoint** (OpenAI-compatible, Ollama, LM Studio)? 2. **Different Anthropic model** (Claude 3 Opus → Sonnet)? 3. **Fine-tuned model** hosted elsewhere? 4. **Local LLM** running on your machine? This will help us provide a more targeted fix! ### Expected Behavior After applying one of these solutions: - ✅ Type `/superpowers:brainstorm` → Should execute without "unknown skills" error - ✅ Skills should persist across model switches - ✅ MCP server should remain connected ### Workaround Until Fixed If none of the above work consistently: 1. Always use `/superpowers:brainstorm` with the **default Claude model** first 2. Then switch to your custom model for other tasks 3. Or use the natural language trigger: "Let's brainstorm about..." instead of the slash command Let me know if you need help with any of these steps!

nabilW commented

2026-01-16 15:58:49 +00:00

(Migrated from github.com)

Technical Analysis: Custom Model + "Unknown Skills" Error

I can help break down what's happening here and provide multiple solutions.

Root Cause

When you swap to a custom model in Claude Code, you're likely:

Changing the model provider/endpoint in CC settings (e.g., from Anthropic Claude to a local LLM, OpenAI-compatible endpoint, or custom API)
Using a different model that may not have the same context/system instructions
Losing the Superpowers skill registration that was loaded with the original model

The "unknown skills" error occurs because:

Superpowers skills are registered during Claude Code startup with specific model configurations
When you switch models mid-session or restart with a different model config, the skill manifest may not reload properly
The custom model may not have access to the MCP (Model Context Protocol) server that hosts Superpowers skills

Solution 1: Trigger Skill Discovery (Recommended Quick Fix)

As @obra mentioned, you can manually trigger skill loading:

Simply say: "I have an idea" or "Let's brainstorm"

This forces Claude to recognize the brainstorming context and reload available skills.

Solution 2: Full Restart Sequence

If the quick trigger doesn't work:

# 1. Fully quit Claude Code (not just close window)
# Windows: Right-click system tray > Exit
# Mac: Cmd+Q

# 2. Clear skill cache (optional but recommended)
# Windows:
del "%APPDATA%\Claude\skill-cache\*" /q

# Mac:
rm -rf ~/Library/Application\ Support/Claude/skill-cache/*

# 3. Restart Claude Code
# 4. Verify Superpowers loaded before switching models

Solution 3: Check MCP Server Connection

Custom models need proper MCP configuration:

# Check if MCP server is running
ps aux | grep superpowers  # Mac/Linux
tasklist | findstr superpowers  # Windows

# Verify MCP server config in Claude settings
# Settings > Developer > Model Context Protocol
# Ensure superpowers server is enabled and connected

Solution 4: Debug Output (As @obra Requested)

To help diagnose further, run Claude Code with debug logging:

# Mac
/Applications/Claude.app/Contents/MacOS/Claude --debug > ~/claude-debug.log 2>&1

# Windows
"%LocalAppData%\Programs\Claude\Claude.exe" --debug > %USERPROFILE%\claude-debug.log 2>&1

# Linux
claude --debug > ~/claude-debug.log 2>&1

Then reproduce the issue and share the log, specifically looking for:

[MCP] - MCP server connection logs
[Skills] - Skill loading/registration
[Model] - Model switching events
Any error messages mentioning "superpowers" or "brainstorm"

Solution 5: Model-Specific Configuration

If using a custom model endpoint, ensure it supports MCP:

// In your Claude Code model config (Settings > Models > Custom)
{
  "model": "your-custom-model",
  "endpoint": "http://localhost:11434",  // example
  "capabilities": [
    "mcp",  // <- Must include MCP support
    "function_calling"
  ]
}

Clarification Request

@neohob - Can you clarify what you mean by "custom model"?

Custom API endpoint (OpenAI-compatible, Ollama, LM Studio)?
Different Anthropic model (Claude 3 Opus → Sonnet)?
Fine-tuned model hosted elsewhere?
Local LLM running on your machine?

This will help us provide a more targeted fix!

Expected Behavior

After applying one of these solutions:

✅ Type /superpowers:brainstorm → Should execute without "unknown skills" error
✅ Skills should persist across model switches
✅ MCP server should remain connected

Workaround Until Fixed

If none of the above work consistently:

Always use /superpowers:brainstorm with the default Claude model first
Then switch to your custom model for other tasks
Or use the natural language trigger: "Let's brainstorm about..." instead of the slash command

Let me know if you need help with any of these steps!