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Explain It Plainly

Re-explains the last message, file, or link in plain language when you didn't follow it.

Source Download skill
Repository
EveryInc/compound-engineering-plugin
Stars
25,850
Licence
MIT
Files
2 files

What it does

When you don't understand something an AI agent said, or something you pass to it (a file, link, or pasted text), this skill makes the agent explain it again in everyday words. It opens with the main point and what it means for you, keeps any decisions or next steps, and avoids adding claims the source doesn't make. It is invoked by you typing the skill's name, so the agent doesn't run it on its own.

Great for

  • Someone who got a dense technical reply from an agent and needs the gist and any action items
  • People reviewing a document or link written in jargon who need the key decisions explained
  • Non-experts working with developers' updates or status reports

Skip it if

  • Investigating how or why code works, since the skill points to a different skill (ce-explain) for that
  • Rewriting prose for style or tone, which the skill points to ce-noslop for
  • Anything requiring verified facts beyond the source text, because it only explains what the source says

Try asking

  • “/wtf”
  • “/wtf the migration part of your last answer”
  • “/wtf ./notes/release-plan.md”
  • “/wtf https://example.com/design-doc”
Step-by-step guide: how to use Explain It PlainlyInstall, first run, examples, tips and FAQs

Install in 3 steps

  1. 1

    Download the skill

    The ZIP contains the 2 original files, the MIT licence and an attribution note.

    wtf.zip
  2. 2

    Add it to your agent

    Claude Code (all projects)

    mkdir -p ~/.claude/skills && unzip wtf.zip -d ~/.claude/skills/

    Claude Code / Agent SDK (this project only)

    mkdir -p .claude/skills && unzip wtf.zip -d .claude/skills/

    Claude apps (web/desktop): Settings → Capabilities → Skills → Upload skill, and choose the ZIP.

  3. 3

    Ask for the task

    No special command needed — the agent reads the skill's description and loads it when your request matches. Try one of the prompts above.

Get better results

  • Pass a short pointer like "step 3" or "the migration part" to focus the explanation on what confused you.
  • If you pass a URL, the agent will fetch it, so check that the link is one you trust.
  • Ask a follow-up if the explanation still leaves a decision unclear; the skill asks a question rather than guessing when the target is ambiguous.

What's inside

  • agents/openai.yaml
  • SKILL.md

Redistributed unmodified from EveryInc/compound-engineering-plugin under the MIT licence. The assessment was drafted with AI from the skill's files on 2026-10-29. Skills can instruct your agent to run code — read SKILL.md and any scripts before installing.