---
name: Output Style Name
description: Brief description of this output style's purpose and behavior
---

# Output Style Name

> **Purpose**: One-sentence explanation of when and why to use this output style.
> **Best For**: [Type of tasks this style excels at]

## Overview

This output style transforms Claude's behavior to [primary behavioral change]. Use this style when you need [specific scenario or requirement].

## Key Characteristics

### Communication Style
- **Tone**: [Formal/Casual/Technical/Educational/etc.]
- **Verbosity**: [Concise/Detailed/Balanced]
- **Explanation Level**: [Minimal/Moderate/Extensive]
- **Technical Depth**: [High-level/Detailed/Expert]

### Interaction Patterns
- **Proactivity**: [Waits for instructions / Suggests next steps / Highly proactive]
- **Question Asking**: [Rarely/When needed/Frequently for clarity]
- **Feedback Frequency**: [After completion / During process / Continuous]
- **Confirmation**: [Assumes intent / Confirms before action / Always asks]

### Output Format
- **Code Comments**: [None/Minimal/Comprehensive]
- **Explanations**: [Code only / Brief summaries / Detailed reasoning]
- **Examples**: [Rarely/When helpful/Always]
- **Documentation**: [Not included / Basic / Comprehensive]

## Instructions for Claude

When using this output style, you should:

### Primary Behaviors

**DO:**
- ✅ [Specific behavior 1 - be very explicit]
- ✅ [Specific behavior 2 - be very explicit]
- ✅ [Specific behavior 3 - be very explicit]
- ✅ [Specific behavior 4 - be very explicit]
- ✅ [Specific behavior 5 - be very explicit]

**DON'T:**
- ❌ [Behavior to avoid 1]
- ❌ [Behavior to avoid 2]
- ❌ [Behavior to avoid 3]
- ❌ [Behavior to avoid 4]

### Response Structure

Follow this structure for all responses:

```
[Your response structure template here]

Example:
1. Brief summary (1-2 sentences)
2. Implementation/Answer
3. Key points or notes (if relevant)
4. Next steps (if applicable)
```

### Code Generation Guidelines

When writing code:
- **Comments**: [Style of comments to include/exclude]
- **Documentation**: [Level of docstrings/JSDoc]
- **Error Handling**: [How comprehensive]
- **Edge Cases**: [How to address]
- **Optimization**: [Priority level]

### Communication Guidelines

When interacting:
- **Questions**: [When and how to ask clarifying questions]
- **Assumptions**: [How to handle unclear requirements]
- **Progress Updates**: [How frequently to provide updates]
- **Error Reporting**: [How to communicate issues]

## Use Cases

### Ideal For:
1. **[Use Case 1]**: [Why this style is perfect for it]
2. **[Use Case 2]**: [Why this style is perfect for it]
3. **[Use Case 3]**: [Why this style is perfect for it]

### Not Ideal For:
1. **[Scenario 1]**: [Why to use a different style]
2. **[Scenario 2]**: [Why to use a different style]

## Examples

### Example 1: [Scenario Name]

**User Query:**
```
[Example user request]
```

**Response with This Style:**
```
[How Claude would respond with this output style]
```

**Why It's Different:**
[Explain how this differs from default style]

---

### Example 2: [Scenario Name]

**User Query:**
```
[Example user request]
```

**Response with This Style:**
```
[How Claude would respond with this output style]
```

**Why It's Different:**
[Explain how this differs from default style]

---

### Example 3: [Complex Scenario]

**User Query:**
```
[Example complex request]
```

**Response with This Style:**
```
[How Claude would respond with this output style]
```

**Why It's Different:**
[Explain how this differs from default style]

## Comparison to Other Styles

### vs. Default Style
- **Default**: [How default behaves]
- **This Style**: [How this style differs]
- **When to Switch**: [Use this when...]

### vs. [Another Similar Style]
- **[Other Style]**: [How that style behaves]
- **This Style**: [Key differences]
- **When to Choose This**: [Use this when...]

## Customization Options

### Variants You Can Create

Based on this template, you could create:
1. **[Variant 1]**: [Modified version for specific need]
2. **[Variant 2]**: [Modified version for specific need]
3. **[Variant 3]**: [Modified version for specific need]

### Adjusting the Style

To make this style more [characteristic]:
- Increase/decrease [specific aspect]
- Add/remove [specific element]
- Emphasize [specific behavior]

## Special Instructions

### Domain-Specific Considerations

**If working with [Domain/Technology]:**
- [Special instruction 1]
- [Special instruction 2]
- [Special instruction 3]

**If user is [Type of User]:**
- [Adaptation 1]
- [Adaptation 2]
- [Adaptation 3]

### Context-Specific Adaptations

**For quick tasks:**
- [How to adapt for speed]

**For complex projects:**
- [How to adapt for depth]

**For learning scenarios:**
- [How to adapt for education]

## Technical Details

### Token Efficiency
- **Typical Response Length**: [Short/Medium/Long]
- **Explanation Overhead**: [Low/Medium/High]
- **Best For Cost**: [Yes/No - when]

### Model Recommendations
- **Recommended Model**: [Sonnet/Opus/Haiku]
- **Why**: [Reasoning for model choice]
- **Alternative**: [When to use different model]

## Activation & Usage

### How to Activate

```bash
# Switch to this style
> /output-style [style-name]

# Verify active style
> /output-style

# Return to default
> /output-style default
```

### When to Use

Activate this style when:
- ✅ [Trigger condition 1]
- ✅ [Trigger condition 2]
- ✅ [Trigger condition 3]

Switch away when:
- ❌ [Condition where different style is better]
- ❌ [Another condition]

## Best Practices

### Getting the Most From This Style

1. **[Practice 1]**: [How to effectively use this style]
2. **[Practice 2]**: [Another effective technique]
3. **[Practice 3]**: [Another tip]

### Common Pitfalls

1. **[Pitfall 1]**: [What to avoid]
   - Solution: [How to handle it]

2. **[Pitfall 2]**: [What to avoid]
   - Solution: [How to handle it]

### Combining With Other Features

**With Commands:**
- This style works well with: [specific commands]
- Modify command behavior: [how]

**With Skills:**
- Skills that complement this style: [which ones]
- How they interact: [explanation]

**With Agents:**
- Agent behaviors in this style: [how agents adapt]
- Best agent types: [which ones]

## Troubleshooting

### Style Not Working As Expected

**Issue**: Claude isn't following the style guidelines
**Solutions**:
1. Clear conversation and restart: `/clear`
2. Re-activate style: `/output-style [name]`
3. Provide explicit reminder: "Remember to use [style] style"
4. Check for conflicting instructions in CLAUDE.md

**Issue**: Style is too [extreme characteristic]
**Solutions**:
1. Create modified version with adjusted parameters
2. Give inline instructions to adjust
3. Switch to different style temporarily

## Feedback & Iteration

### Improving This Style

Track these metrics:
- [ ] Achieves desired behavior consistently
- [ ] User satisfaction with responses
- [ ] Efficiency for intended use cases
- [ ] No negative side effects

Update when:
- [ ] User feedback indicates issues
- [ ] Better patterns discovered
- [ ] New use cases emerge
- [ ] Technology changes

## Version History

| Version | Date | Changes | Author |
|---------|------|---------|--------|
| 1.0.0 | YYYY-MM-DD | Initial creation | [Name] |

## Related Resources

### Similar Styles
- [Related Style 1] - [How it differs]
- [Related Style 2] - [How it differs]

### Documentation
- [Link to related docs]
- [Link to examples]

### Community Examples
- [Link to community versions]
- [Link to discussions]

---

## Quick Reference Card

| Attribute | Value |
|-----------|-------|
| **Name** | [Style Name] |
| **Purpose** | [One-line purpose] |
| **Best For** | [Primary use case] |
| **Tone** | [Communication style] |
| **Verbosity** | [Output length] |
| **Proactivity** | [Low/Medium/High] |
| **Code Comments** | [None/Minimal/Extensive] |
| **Explanations** | [Brief/Moderate/Detailed] |
| **Model** | [Recommended model] |
| **Token Cost** | [Low/Medium/High] |

---

## Template Usage Notes

### Creating Your Own Output Style

1. **Copy this template** to `.claude/output-styles/your-style-name.md`
2. **Fill in the frontmatter** (name and description)
3. **Define key characteristics** - be specific about behavior
4. **Write clear instructions** - tell Claude exactly what to do
5. **Provide examples** - show the style in action
6. **Test thoroughly** - try with various tasks
7. **Iterate based on feedback** - refine over time

### Key Principles

- **Be specific**: Vague instructions lead to inconsistent behavior
- **Show examples**: Concrete examples are more effective than descriptions
- **Define boundaries**: Say what NOT to do as clearly as what to do
- **Consider context**: Different tasks may need different approaches
- **Test extensively**: Try edge cases and complex scenarios

### Common Output Style Patterns

**Specialized Expert Styles**:
- Security Reviewer
- Performance Optimizer
- Accessibility Expert
- Documentation Writer

**User Type Styles**:
- Beginner-Friendly (more explanation)
- Expert Mode (assumptions, less explanation)
- Pair Programming (collaborative)

**Task Type Styles**:
- Rapid Prototyping (speed over perfection)
- Production Code (thorough and careful)
- Learning Mode (educational)
- Debugging Mode (systematic investigation)

---

**Template Version**: 1.0.0
**Last Updated**: YYYY-MM-DD
**Harmonized with**: SKILL_TEMPLATE.md, COMMANDS_TEMPLATE.md, AGENT_TEMPLATE.md

**Remember**: Output styles modify Claude's system prompt entirely. They're powerful but should be used thoughtfully. Test your custom styles thoroughly before relying on them for important work.