diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index b1c40875..e61d3f02 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -1,5 +1,28 @@
 # Changelog
 
+## [0.13.9.0] - 2026-03-29 — Composable Skills
+
+Skills can now load other skills inline. Write `{{INVOKE_SKILL:office-hours}}` in a template and the generator emits the right "read file, skip preamble, follow instructions" prose automatically. Handles host-aware paths and customizable skip lists.
+
+### Added
+
+- **`{{INVOKE_SKILL:skill-name}}` resolver.** Composable skill loading as a first-class resolver. Emits host-aware prose that tells Claude or Codex to read another skill's SKILL.md and follow it inline, skipping preamble sections. Supports optional `skip=` parameter for additional sections to skip.
+- **Parameterized resolver support.** The placeholder regex now handles `{{NAME:arg1:arg2}}`, enabling resolvers that take arguments at generation time. Fully backward compatible with existing `{{NAME}}` patterns.
+- **`{{CHANGELOG_WORKFLOW}}` resolver.** Changelog generation logic extracted from /ship into a reusable resolver. Includes voice guidance ("lead with what the user can now do") inline.
+- **Frontmatter `name:` for skill registration.** Setup script and gen-skill-docs now read `name:` from SKILL.md frontmatter for symlink naming. Enables directory names that differ from invocation names (e.g., `run-tests/` directory registered as `/test`).
+- **Proactive skill routing.** Skills now ask once to add routing rules to your project's CLAUDE.md. This makes Claude invoke the right skill automatically instead of answering directly. Your choice is remembered in `~/.gstack/config.yaml`.
+- **Annotated config file.** `~/.gstack/config.yaml` now gets a documented header on first creation explaining every setting. Edit it anytime.
+
+### Changed
+
+- **BENEFITS_FROM now delegates to INVOKE_SKILL.** Eliminated duplicated skip-list logic. The prerequisite offer wrapper stays in BENEFITS_FROM, but the actual "read and follow" instructions come from INVOKE_SKILL.
+- **/plan-ceo-review mid-session fallback uses INVOKE_SKILL.** The "user can't articulate the problem, offer /office-hours" path now uses the composable resolver instead of inline prose.
+- **Stronger routing language.** office-hours, investigate, and ship descriptions now say "Proactively invoke" instead of "Proactively suggest" for more reliable automatic skill invocation.
+
+### Fixed
+
+- **Config grep anchored to line start.** Commented header lines no longer shadow real config values.
+
 ## [0.13.8.0] - 2026-03-29 — Security Audit Round 2
 
 Browse output is now wrapped in trust boundary markers so agents can tell page content from tool output. Markers are escape-proof. The Chrome extension validates message senders. CDP binds to localhost only. Bun installs use checksum verification.
diff --git a/CLAUDE.md b/CLAUDE.md
index 0ea420c7..33741f86 100644
--- a/CLAUDE.md
+++ b/CLAUDE.md
@@ -258,6 +258,23 @@ not what was already on main.
 3. Does an existing entry on this branch already cover earlier work? (If yes, replace
    it with one unified entry for the final version.)
 
+**Merging main does NOT mean adopting main's version.** When you merge origin/main into
+a feature branch, main may bring new CHANGELOG entries and a higher VERSION. Your branch
+still needs its OWN version bump on top. If main is at v0.13.8.0 and your branch adds
+features, bump to v0.13.9.0 with a new entry. Never jam your changes into an entry that
+already landed on main. Your entry goes on top because your branch lands next.
+
+**After merging main, always check:**
+- Does CHANGELOG have your branch's own entry separate from main's entries?
+- Is VERSION higher than main's VERSION?
+- Is your entry the topmost entry in CHANGELOG (above main's latest)?
+If any answer is no, fix it before continuing.
+
+**After any CHANGELOG edit that moves, adds, or removes entries,** immediately run
+`grep "^## \[" CHANGELOG.md` and verify the full version sequence is contiguous
+with no gaps or duplicates before committing. If a version is missing, the edit
+broke something. Fix it before moving on.
+
 CHANGELOG.md is **for users**, not contributors. Write it like product release notes:
 
 - Lead with what the user can now **do** that they couldn't before. Sell the feature.
diff --git a/SKILL.md b/SKILL.md
index cb594252..e0e6ccca 100644
--- a/SKILL.md
+++ b/SKILL.md
@@ -68,6 +68,14 @@ if [ -f "$_LEARN_FILE" ]; then
 else
   echo "LEARNINGS: 0"
 fi
+# Check if CLAUDE.md has routing rules
+_HAS_ROUTING="no"
+if [ -f CLAUDE.md ] && grep -q "## Skill routing" CLAUDE.md 2>/dev/null; then
+  _HAS_ROUTING="yes"
+fi
+_ROUTING_DECLINED=$(~/.claude/skills/gstack/bin/gstack-config get routing_declined 2>/dev/null || echo "false")
+echo "HAS_ROUTING: $_HAS_ROUTING"
+echo "ROUTING_DECLINED: $_ROUTING_DECLINED"
 ```
 
 If `PROACTIVE` is `"false"`, do not proactively suggest gstack skills AND do not
@@ -149,6 +157,49 @@ touch ~/.gstack/.proactive-prompted
 
 This only happens once. If `PROACTIVE_PROMPTED` is `yes`, skip this entirely.
 
+If `HAS_ROUTING` is `no` AND `ROUTING_DECLINED` is `false` AND `PROACTIVE_PROMPTED` is `yes`:
+Check if a CLAUDE.md file exists in the project root. If it does not exist, create it.
+
+Use AskUserQuestion:
+
+> gstack works best when your project's CLAUDE.md includes skill routing rules.
+> This tells Claude to use specialized workflows (like /ship, /investigate, /qa)
+> instead of answering directly. It's a one-time addition, about 15 lines.
+
+Options:
+- A) Add routing rules to CLAUDE.md (recommended)
+- B) No thanks, I'll invoke skills manually
+
+If A: Append this section to the end of CLAUDE.md:
+
+```markdown
+
+## Skill routing
+
+When the user's request matches an available skill, ALWAYS invoke it using the Skill
+tool as your FIRST action. Do NOT answer directly, do NOT use other tools first.
+The skill has specialized workflows that produce better results than ad-hoc answers.
+
+Key routing rules:
+- Product ideas, "is this worth building", brainstorming → invoke office-hours
+- Bugs, errors, "why is this broken", 500 errors → invoke investigate
+- Ship, deploy, push, create PR → invoke ship
+- QA, test the site, find bugs → invoke qa
+- Code review, check my diff → invoke review
+- Update docs after shipping → invoke document-release
+- Weekly retro → invoke retro
+- Design system, brand → invoke design-consultation
+- Visual audit, design polish → invoke design-review
+- Architecture review → invoke plan-eng-review
+```
+
+Then commit the change: `git add CLAUDE.md && git commit -m "chore: add gstack skill routing rules to CLAUDE.md"`
+
+If B: run `~/.claude/skills/gstack/bin/gstack-config set routing_declined true`
+Say "No problem. You can add routing rules later by running `gstack-config set routing_declined false` and re-running any skill."
+
+This only happens once per project. If `HAS_ROUTING` is `yes` or `ROUTING_DECLINED` is `true`, skip this entirely.
+
 ## Voice
 
 **Tone:** direct, concrete, sharp, never corporate, never academic. Sound like a builder, not a consultant. Name the file, the function, the command. No filler, no throat-clearing.
@@ -271,28 +322,37 @@ Then write a `## GSTACK REVIEW REPORT` section to the end of the plan file:
 file you are allowed to edit in plan mode. The plan file review report is part of the
 plan's living status.
 
-If `PROACTIVE` is `false`: do NOT proactively suggest other gstack skills during this session.
-Only run skills the user explicitly invokes. This preference persists across sessions via
-`gstack-config`.
+If `PROACTIVE` is `false`: do NOT proactively invoke or suggest other gstack skills during
+this session. Only run skills the user explicitly invokes. This preference persists across
+sessions via `gstack-config`.
 
-If `PROACTIVE` is `true` (default): suggest adjacent gstack skills when relevant to the
-user's workflow stage:
-- Brainstorming → /office-hours
-- Strategy → /plan-ceo-review
-- Architecture → /plan-eng-review
-- Design → /plan-design-review or /design-consultation
-- Auto-review → /autoplan
-- Debugging → /investigate
-- QA → /qa
-- Code review → /review
-- Visual audit → /design-review
-- Shipping → /ship
-- Docs → /document-release
-- Retro → /retro
-- Second opinion → /codex
-- Prod safety → /careful or /guard
-- Scoped edits → /freeze or /unfreeze
-- Upgrades → /gstack-upgrade
+If `PROACTIVE` is `true` (default): **invoke the Skill tool** when the user's request
+matches a skill's purpose. Do NOT answer directly when a skill exists for the task.
+Use the Skill tool to invoke it. The skill has specialized workflows, checklists, and
+quality gates that produce better results than answering inline.
+
+**Routing rules — when you see these patterns, INVOKE the skill via the Skill tool:**
+- User describes a new idea, asks "is this worth building", wants to brainstorm → invoke `/office-hours`
+- User asks about strategy, scope, ambition, "think bigger" → invoke `/plan-ceo-review`
+- User asks to review architecture, lock in the plan → invoke `/plan-eng-review`
+- User asks about design system, brand, visual identity → invoke `/design-consultation`
+- User asks to review design of a plan → invoke `/plan-design-review`
+- User wants all reviews done automatically → invoke `/autoplan`
+- User reports a bug, error, broken behavior, asks "why is this broken" → invoke `/investigate`
+- User asks to test the site, find bugs, QA → invoke `/qa`
+- User asks to review code, check the diff, pre-landing review → invoke `/review`
+- User asks about visual polish, design audit of a live site → invoke `/design-review`
+- User asks to ship, deploy, push, create a PR → invoke `/ship`
+- User asks to update docs after shipping → invoke `/document-release`
+- User asks for a weekly retro, what did we ship → invoke `/retro`
+- User asks for a second opinion, codex review → invoke `/codex`
+- User asks for safety mode, careful mode → invoke `/careful` or `/guard`
+- User asks to restrict edits to a directory → invoke `/freeze` or `/unfreeze`
+- User asks to upgrade gstack → invoke `/gstack-upgrade`
+
+**Do NOT answer the user's question directly when a matching skill exists.** The skill
+provides a structured, multi-step workflow that is always better than an ad-hoc answer.
+Invoke the skill first. If no skill matches, answer directly as usual.
 
 If the user opts out of suggestions, run `gstack-config set proactive false`.
 If they opt back in, run `gstack-config set proactive true`.
diff --git a/SKILL.md.tmpl b/SKILL.md.tmpl
index fcc0900b..1c8f12a8 100644
--- a/SKILL.md.tmpl
+++ b/SKILL.md.tmpl
@@ -16,28 +16,37 @@ allowed-tools:
 
 {{PREAMBLE}}
 
-If `PROACTIVE` is `false`: do NOT proactively suggest other gstack skills during this session.
-Only run skills the user explicitly invokes. This preference persists across sessions via
-`gstack-config`.
+If `PROACTIVE` is `false`: do NOT proactively invoke or suggest other gstack skills during
+this session. Only run skills the user explicitly invokes. This preference persists across
+sessions via `gstack-config`.
 
-If `PROACTIVE` is `true` (default): suggest adjacent gstack skills when relevant to the
-user's workflow stage:
-- Brainstorming → /office-hours
-- Strategy → /plan-ceo-review
-- Architecture → /plan-eng-review
-- Design → /plan-design-review or /design-consultation
-- Auto-review → /autoplan
-- Debugging → /investigate
-- QA → /qa
-- Code review → /review
-- Visual audit → /design-review
-- Shipping → /ship
-- Docs → /document-release
-- Retro → /retro
-- Second opinion → /codex
-- Prod safety → /careful or /guard
-- Scoped edits → /freeze or /unfreeze
-- Upgrades → /gstack-upgrade
+If `PROACTIVE` is `true` (default): **invoke the Skill tool** when the user's request
+matches a skill's purpose. Do NOT answer directly when a skill exists for the task.
+Use the Skill tool to invoke it. The skill has specialized workflows, checklists, and
+quality gates that produce better results than answering inline.
+
+**Routing rules — when you see these patterns, INVOKE the skill via the Skill tool:**
+- User describes a new idea, asks "is this worth building", wants to brainstorm → invoke `/office-hours`
+- User asks about strategy, scope, ambition, "think bigger" → invoke `/plan-ceo-review`
+- User asks to review architecture, lock in the plan → invoke `/plan-eng-review`
+- User asks about design system, brand, visual identity → invoke `/design-consultation`
+- User asks to review design of a plan → invoke `/plan-design-review`
+- User wants all reviews done automatically → invoke `/autoplan`
+- User reports a bug, error, broken behavior, asks "why is this broken" → invoke `/investigate`
+- User asks to test the site, find bugs, QA → invoke `/qa`
+- User asks to review code, check the diff, pre-landing review → invoke `/review`
+- User asks about visual polish, design audit of a live site → invoke `/design-review`
+- User asks to ship, deploy, push, create a PR → invoke `/ship`
+- User asks to update docs after shipping → invoke `/document-release`
+- User asks for a weekly retro, what did we ship → invoke `/retro`
+- User asks for a second opinion, codex review → invoke `/codex`
+- User asks for safety mode, careful mode → invoke `/careful` or `/guard`
+- User asks to restrict edits to a directory → invoke `/freeze` or `/unfreeze`
+- User asks to upgrade gstack → invoke `/gstack-upgrade`
+
+**Do NOT answer the user's question directly when a matching skill exists.** The skill
+provides a structured, multi-step workflow that is always better than an ad-hoc answer.
+Invoke the skill first. If no skill matches, answer directly as usual.
 
 If the user opts out of suggestions, run `gstack-config set proactive false`.
 If they opt back in, run `gstack-config set proactive true`.
diff --git a/VERSION b/VERSION
index f4040e84..1ef377f3 100644
--- a/VERSION
+++ b/VERSION
@@ -1 +1 @@
-0.13.8.0
+0.13.9.0
diff --git a/autoplan/SKILL.md b/autoplan/SKILL.md
index f827fcba..2754cef0 100644
--- a/autoplan/SKILL.md
+++ b/autoplan/SKILL.md
@@ -77,6 +77,14 @@ if [ -f "$_LEARN_FILE" ]; then
 else
   echo "LEARNINGS: 0"
 fi
+# Check if CLAUDE.md has routing rules
+_HAS_ROUTING="no"
+if [ -f CLAUDE.md ] && grep -q "## Skill routing" CLAUDE.md 2>/dev/null; then
+  _HAS_ROUTING="yes"
+fi
+_ROUTING_DECLINED=$(~/.claude/skills/gstack/bin/gstack-config get routing_declined 2>/dev/null || echo "false")
+echo "HAS_ROUTING: $_HAS_ROUTING"
+echo "ROUTING_DECLINED: $_ROUTING_DECLINED"
 ```
 
 If `PROACTIVE` is `"false"`, do not proactively suggest gstack skills AND do not
@@ -158,6 +166,49 @@ touch ~/.gstack/.proactive-prompted
 
 This only happens once. If `PROACTIVE_PROMPTED` is `yes`, skip this entirely.
 
+If `HAS_ROUTING` is `no` AND `ROUTING_DECLINED` is `false` AND `PROACTIVE_PROMPTED` is `yes`:
+Check if a CLAUDE.md file exists in the project root. If it does not exist, create it.
+
+Use AskUserQuestion:
+
+> gstack works best when your project's CLAUDE.md includes skill routing rules.
+> This tells Claude to use specialized workflows (like /ship, /investigate, /qa)
+> instead of answering directly. It's a one-time addition, about 15 lines.
+
+Options:
+- A) Add routing rules to CLAUDE.md (recommended)
+- B) No thanks, I'll invoke skills manually
+
+If A: Append this section to the end of CLAUDE.md:
+
+```markdown
+
+## Skill routing
+
+When the user's request matches an available skill, ALWAYS invoke it using the Skill
+tool as your FIRST action. Do NOT answer directly, do NOT use other tools first.
+The skill has specialized workflows that produce better results than ad-hoc answers.
+
+Key routing rules:
+- Product ideas, "is this worth building", brainstorming → invoke office-hours
+- Bugs, errors, "why is this broken", 500 errors → invoke investigate
+- Ship, deploy, push, create PR → invoke ship
+- QA, test the site, find bugs → invoke qa
+- Code review, check my diff → invoke review
+- Update docs after shipping → invoke document-release
+- Weekly retro → invoke retro
+- Design system, brand → invoke design-consultation
+- Visual audit, design polish → invoke design-review
+- Architecture review → invoke plan-eng-review
+```
+
+Then commit the change: `git add CLAUDE.md && git commit -m "chore: add gstack skill routing rules to CLAUDE.md"`
+
+If B: run `~/.claude/skills/gstack/bin/gstack-config set routing_declined true`
+Say "No problem. You can add routing rules later by running `gstack-config set routing_declined false` and re-running any skill."
+
+This only happens once per project. If `HAS_ROUTING` is `yes` or `ROUTING_DECLINED` is `true`, skip this entirely.
+
 ## Voice
 
 You are GStack, an open source AI builder framework shaped by Garry Tan's product, startup, and engineering judgment. Encode how he thinks, not his biography.
@@ -426,10 +477,11 @@ If they choose A:
 Say: "Running /office-hours inline. Once the design doc is ready, I'll pick up
 the review right where we left off."
 
-Read the office-hours skill file from disk using the Read tool:
-`~/.claude/skills/gstack/office-hours/SKILL.md`
+Read the `/office-hours` skill file at `~/.claude/skills/gstack/office-hours/SKILL.md` using the Read tool.
 
-Follow it inline, **skipping these sections** (already handled by the parent skill):
+**If unreadable:** Skip with "Could not load /office-hours — skipping." and continue.
+
+Follow its instructions from top to bottom, **skipping these sections** (already handled by the parent skill):
 - Preamble (run first)
 - AskUserQuestion Format
 - Completeness Principle — Boil the Lake
@@ -437,9 +489,13 @@ Follow it inline, **skipping these sections** (already handled by the parent ski
 - Contributor Mode
 - Completion Status Protocol
 - Telemetry (run last)
+- Step 0: Detect platform and base branch
+- Review Readiness Dashboard
+- Plan File Review Report
+- Prerequisite Skill Offer
+- Plan Status Footer
 
-If the Read fails (file not found), say:
-"Could not load /office-hours — proceeding with standard review."
+Execute every other section at full depth. When the loaded skill's instructions are complete, continue with the next step below.
 
 After /office-hours completes, re-run the design doc check:
 ```bash
diff --git a/benchmark/SKILL.md b/benchmark/SKILL.md
index d2c7b4f7..8fe4bc94 100644
--- a/benchmark/SKILL.md
+++ b/benchmark/SKILL.md
@@ -70,6 +70,14 @@ if [ -f "$_LEARN_FILE" ]; then
 else
   echo "LEARNINGS: 0"
 fi
+# Check if CLAUDE.md has routing rules
+_HAS_ROUTING="no"
+if [ -f CLAUDE.md ] && grep -q "## Skill routing" CLAUDE.md 2>/dev/null; then
+  _HAS_ROUTING="yes"
+fi
+_ROUTING_DECLINED=$(~/.claude/skills/gstack/bin/gstack-config get routing_declined 2>/dev/null || echo "false")
+echo "HAS_ROUTING: $_HAS_ROUTING"
+echo "ROUTING_DECLINED: $_ROUTING_DECLINED"
 ```
 
 If `PROACTIVE` is `"false"`, do not proactively suggest gstack skills AND do not
@@ -151,6 +159,49 @@ touch ~/.gstack/.proactive-prompted
 
 This only happens once. If `PROACTIVE_PROMPTED` is `yes`, skip this entirely.
 
+If `HAS_ROUTING` is `no` AND `ROUTING_DECLINED` is `false` AND `PROACTIVE_PROMPTED` is `yes`:
+Check if a CLAUDE.md file exists in the project root. If it does not exist, create it.
+
+Use AskUserQuestion:
+
+> gstack works best when your project's CLAUDE.md includes skill routing rules.
+> This tells Claude to use specialized workflows (like /ship, /investigate, /qa)
+> instead of answering directly. It's a one-time addition, about 15 lines.
+
+Options:
+- A) Add routing rules to CLAUDE.md (recommended)
+- B) No thanks, I'll invoke skills manually
+
+If A: Append this section to the end of CLAUDE.md:
+
+```markdown
+
+## Skill routing
+
+When the user's request matches an available skill, ALWAYS invoke it using the Skill
+tool as your FIRST action. Do NOT answer directly, do NOT use other tools first.
+The skill has specialized workflows that produce better results than ad-hoc answers.
+
+Key routing rules:
+- Product ideas, "is this worth building", brainstorming → invoke office-hours
+- Bugs, errors, "why is this broken", 500 errors → invoke investigate
+- Ship, deploy, push, create PR → invoke ship
+- QA, test the site, find bugs → invoke qa
+- Code review, check my diff → invoke review
+- Update docs after shipping → invoke document-release
+- Weekly retro → invoke retro
+- Design system, brand → invoke design-consultation
+- Visual audit, design polish → invoke design-review
+- Architecture review → invoke plan-eng-review
+```
+
+Then commit the change: `git add CLAUDE.md && git commit -m "chore: add gstack skill routing rules to CLAUDE.md"`
+
+If B: run `~/.claude/skills/gstack/bin/gstack-config set routing_declined true`
+Say "No problem. You can add routing rules later by running `gstack-config set routing_declined false` and re-running any skill."
+
+This only happens once per project. If `HAS_ROUTING` is `yes` or `ROUTING_DECLINED` is `true`, skip this entirely.
+
 ## Voice
 
 **Tone:** direct, concrete, sharp, never corporate, never academic. Sound like a builder, not a consultant. Name the file, the function, the command. No filler, no throat-clearing.
diff --git a/bin/gstack-config b/bin/gstack-config
index 08549a29..c118a322 100755
--- a/bin/gstack-config
+++ b/bin/gstack-config
@@ -13,6 +13,38 @@ set -euo pipefail
 STATE_DIR="${GSTACK_STATE_DIR:-$HOME/.gstack}"
 CONFIG_FILE="$STATE_DIR/config.yaml"
 
+# Annotated header for new config files. Written once on first `set`.
+CONFIG_HEADER='# gstack configuration — edit freely, changes take effect on next skill run.
+# Docs: https://github.com/garrytan/gstack
+#
+# ─── Behavior ────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+# proactive: true           # Auto-invoke skills when your request matches one.
+#                           # Set to false to only run skills you type explicitly.
+#
+# routing_declined: false   # Set to true to skip the CLAUDE.md routing injection
+#                           # prompt. Set back to false to be asked again.
+#
+# ─── Telemetry ───────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+# telemetry: anonymous      # off | anonymous | community
+#                           #   off       — no data sent, no local analytics
+#                           #   anonymous — counter only, no device ID
+#                           #   community — usage data + stable device ID
+#
+# ─── Updates ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+# auto_upgrade: false       # true = silently upgrade on session start
+# update_check: true        # false = suppress version check notifications
+#
+# ─── Skill naming ────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+# skill_prefix: false       # true = namespace skills as /gstack-qa, /gstack-ship
+#                           # false = short names /qa, /ship
+#
+# ─── Advanced ────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+# codex_reviews: enabled    # disabled = skip Codex adversarial reviews in /ship
+# gstack_contributor: false # true = file field reports when gstack misbehaves
+# skip_eng_review: false    # true = skip eng review gate in /ship (not recommended)
+#
+'
+
 case "${1:-}" in
   get)
     KEY="${2:?Usage: gstack-config get <key>}"
@@ -21,7 +53,7 @@ case "${1:-}" in
       echo "Error: key must contain only alphanumeric characters and underscores" >&2
       exit 1
     fi
-    grep -F "${KEY}:" "$CONFIG_FILE" 2>/dev/null | tail -1 | awk '{print $2}' | tr -d '[:space:]' || true
+    grep -E "^${KEY}:" "$CONFIG_FILE" 2>/dev/null | tail -1 | awk '{print $2}' | tr -d '[:space:]' || true
     ;;
   set)
     KEY="${2:?Usage: gstack-config set <key> <value>}"
@@ -32,12 +64,16 @@ case "${1:-}" in
       exit 1
     fi
     mkdir -p "$STATE_DIR"
+    # Write annotated header on first creation
+    if [ ! -f "$CONFIG_FILE" ]; then
+      printf '%s' "$CONFIG_HEADER" > "$CONFIG_FILE"
+    fi
     # Escape sed special chars in value and drop embedded newlines
     ESC_VALUE="$(printf '%s' "$VALUE" | head -1 | sed 's/[&/\]/\\&/g')"
-    if grep -qF "${KEY}:" "$CONFIG_FILE" 2>/dev/null; then
+    if grep -qE "^${KEY}:" "$CONFIG_FILE" 2>/dev/null; then
       # Portable in-place edit (BSD sed uses -i '', GNU sed uses -i without arg)
       _tmpfile="$(mktemp "${CONFIG_FILE}.XXXXXX")"
-      sed "s/^${KEY}:.*/${KEY}: ${ESC_VALUE}/" "$CONFIG_FILE" > "$_tmpfile" && mv "$_tmpfile" "$CONFIG_FILE"
+      sed "/^${KEY}:/s/.*/${KEY}: ${ESC_VALUE}/" "$CONFIG_FILE" > "$_tmpfile" && mv "$_tmpfile" "$CONFIG_FILE"
     else
       echo "${KEY}: ${VALUE}" >> "$CONFIG_FILE"
     fi
diff --git a/browse/SKILL.md b/browse/SKILL.md
index c9a4e4a3..6cec51b7 100644
--- a/browse/SKILL.md
+++ b/browse/SKILL.md
@@ -70,6 +70,14 @@ if [ -f "$_LEARN_FILE" ]; then
 else
   echo "LEARNINGS: 0"
 fi
+# Check if CLAUDE.md has routing rules
+_HAS_ROUTING="no"
+if [ -f CLAUDE.md ] && grep -q "## Skill routing" CLAUDE.md 2>/dev/null; then
+  _HAS_ROUTING="yes"
+fi
+_ROUTING_DECLINED=$(~/.claude/skills/gstack/bin/gstack-config get routing_declined 2>/dev/null || echo "false")
+echo "HAS_ROUTING: $_HAS_ROUTING"
+echo "ROUTING_DECLINED: $_ROUTING_DECLINED"
 ```
 
 If `PROACTIVE` is `"false"`, do not proactively suggest gstack skills AND do not
@@ -151,6 +159,49 @@ touch ~/.gstack/.proactive-prompted
 
 This only happens once. If `PROACTIVE_PROMPTED` is `yes`, skip this entirely.
 
+If `HAS_ROUTING` is `no` AND `ROUTING_DECLINED` is `false` AND `PROACTIVE_PROMPTED` is `yes`:
+Check if a CLAUDE.md file exists in the project root. If it does not exist, create it.
+
+Use AskUserQuestion:
+
+> gstack works best when your project's CLAUDE.md includes skill routing rules.
+> This tells Claude to use specialized workflows (like /ship, /investigate, /qa)
+> instead of answering directly. It's a one-time addition, about 15 lines.
+
+Options:
+- A) Add routing rules to CLAUDE.md (recommended)
+- B) No thanks, I'll invoke skills manually
+
+If A: Append this section to the end of CLAUDE.md:
+
+```markdown
+
+## Skill routing
+
+When the user's request matches an available skill, ALWAYS invoke it using the Skill
+tool as your FIRST action. Do NOT answer directly, do NOT use other tools first.
+The skill has specialized workflows that produce better results than ad-hoc answers.
+
+Key routing rules:
+- Product ideas, "is this worth building", brainstorming → invoke office-hours
+- Bugs, errors, "why is this broken", 500 errors → invoke investigate
+- Ship, deploy, push, create PR → invoke ship
+- QA, test the site, find bugs → invoke qa
+- Code review, check my diff → invoke review
+- Update docs after shipping → invoke document-release
+- Weekly retro → invoke retro
+- Design system, brand → invoke design-consultation
+- Visual audit, design polish → invoke design-review
+- Architecture review → invoke plan-eng-review
+```
+
+Then commit the change: `git add CLAUDE.md && git commit -m "chore: add gstack skill routing rules to CLAUDE.md"`
+
+If B: run `~/.claude/skills/gstack/bin/gstack-config set routing_declined true`
+Say "No problem. You can add routing rules later by running `gstack-config set routing_declined false` and re-running any skill."
+
+This only happens once per project. If `HAS_ROUTING` is `yes` or `ROUTING_DECLINED` is `true`, skip this entirely.
+
 ## Voice
 
 **Tone:** direct, concrete, sharp, never corporate, never academic. Sound like a builder, not a consultant. Name the file, the function, the command. No filler, no throat-clearing.
diff --git a/browse/test/gstack-config.test.ts b/browse/test/gstack-config.test.ts
index d3efc1ce..a00af609 100644
--- a/browse/test/gstack-config.test.ts
+++ b/browse/test/gstack-config.test.ts
@@ -135,4 +135,62 @@ describe('gstack-config', () => {
     const { stdout } = run(['get', 'test_special']);
     expect(stdout).toBe('a/b&c\\d');
   });
+
+  // ─── annotated header ──────────────────────────────────────
+  test('first set writes annotated header with docs', () => {
+    run(['set', 'telemetry', 'off']);
+    const content = readFileSync(join(stateDir, 'config.yaml'), 'utf-8');
+    expect(content).toContain('# gstack configuration');
+    expect(content).toContain('edit freely');
+    expect(content).toContain('proactive:');
+    expect(content).toContain('telemetry:');
+    expect(content).toContain('auto_upgrade:');
+    expect(content).toContain('skill_prefix:');
+    expect(content).toContain('routing_declined:');
+    expect(content).toContain('codex_reviews:');
+    expect(content).toContain('skip_eng_review:');
+  });
+
+  test('header written only once, not duplicated on second set', () => {
+    run(['set', 'foo', 'bar']);
+    run(['set', 'baz', 'qux']);
+    const content = readFileSync(join(stateDir, 'config.yaml'), 'utf-8');
+    const headerCount = (content.match(/# gstack configuration/g) || []).length;
+    expect(headerCount).toBe(1);
+  });
+
+  test('header does not break get on commented-out keys', () => {
+    run(['set', 'telemetry', 'community']);
+    // Header contains "# telemetry: anonymous" as a comment example.
+    // get should return the real value, not the comment.
+    const { stdout } = run(['get', 'telemetry']);
+    expect(stdout).toBe('community');
+  });
+
+  test('existing config file is not overwritten with header', () => {
+    writeFileSync(join(stateDir, 'config.yaml'), 'existing: value\n');
+    run(['set', 'new_key', 'new_value']);
+    const content = readFileSync(join(stateDir, 'config.yaml'), 'utf-8');
+    expect(content).toContain('existing: value');
+    expect(content).not.toContain('# gstack configuration');
+  });
+
+  // ─── routing_declined ──────────────────────────────────────
+  test('routing_declined defaults to empty (not set)', () => {
+    const { stdout } = run(['get', 'routing_declined']);
+    expect(stdout).toBe('');
+  });
+
+  test('routing_declined can be set and read', () => {
+    run(['set', 'routing_declined', 'true']);
+    const { stdout } = run(['get', 'routing_declined']);
+    expect(stdout).toBe('true');
+  });
+
+  test('routing_declined can be reset to false', () => {
+    run(['set', 'routing_declined', 'true']);
+    run(['set', 'routing_declined', 'false']);
+    const { stdout } = run(['get', 'routing_declined']);
+    expect(stdout).toBe('false');
+  });
 });
diff --git a/canary/SKILL.md b/canary/SKILL.md
index 59987e30..6197b3c4 100644
--- a/canary/SKILL.md
+++ b/canary/SKILL.md
@@ -70,6 +70,14 @@ if [ -f "$_LEARN_FILE" ]; then
 else
   echo "LEARNINGS: 0"
 fi
+# Check if CLAUDE.md has routing rules
+_HAS_ROUTING="no"
+if [ -f CLAUDE.md ] && grep -q "## Skill routing" CLAUDE.md 2>/dev/null; then
+  _HAS_ROUTING="yes"
+fi
+_ROUTING_DECLINED=$(~/.claude/skills/gstack/bin/gstack-config get routing_declined 2>/dev/null || echo "false")
+echo "HAS_ROUTING: $_HAS_ROUTING"
+echo "ROUTING_DECLINED: $_ROUTING_DECLINED"
 ```
 
 If `PROACTIVE` is `"false"`, do not proactively suggest gstack skills AND do not
@@ -151,6 +159,49 @@ touch ~/.gstack/.proactive-prompted
 
 This only happens once. If `PROACTIVE_PROMPTED` is `yes`, skip this entirely.
 
+If `HAS_ROUTING` is `no` AND `ROUTING_DECLINED` is `false` AND `PROACTIVE_PROMPTED` is `yes`:
+Check if a CLAUDE.md file exists in the project root. If it does not exist, create it.
+
+Use AskUserQuestion:
+
+> gstack works best when your project's CLAUDE.md includes skill routing rules.
+> This tells Claude to use specialized workflows (like /ship, /investigate, /qa)
+> instead of answering directly. It's a one-time addition, about 15 lines.
+
+Options:
+- A) Add routing rules to CLAUDE.md (recommended)
+- B) No thanks, I'll invoke skills manually
+
+If A: Append this section to the end of CLAUDE.md:
+
+```markdown
+
+## Skill routing
+
+When the user's request matches an available skill, ALWAYS invoke it using the Skill
+tool as your FIRST action. Do NOT answer directly, do NOT use other tools first.
+The skill has specialized workflows that produce better results than ad-hoc answers.
+
+Key routing rules:
+- Product ideas, "is this worth building", brainstorming → invoke office-hours
+- Bugs, errors, "why is this broken", 500 errors → invoke investigate
+- Ship, deploy, push, create PR → invoke ship
+- QA, test the site, find bugs → invoke qa
+- Code review, check my diff → invoke review
+- Update docs after shipping → invoke document-release
+- Weekly retro → invoke retro
+- Design system, brand → invoke design-consultation
+- Visual audit, design polish → invoke design-review
+- Architecture review → invoke plan-eng-review
+```
+
+Then commit the change: `git add CLAUDE.md && git commit -m "chore: add gstack skill routing rules to CLAUDE.md"`
+
+If B: run `~/.claude/skills/gstack/bin/gstack-config set routing_declined true`
+Say "No problem. You can add routing rules later by running `gstack-config set routing_declined false` and re-running any skill."
+
+This only happens once per project. If `HAS_ROUTING` is `yes` or `ROUTING_DECLINED` is `true`, skip this entirely.
+
 ## Voice
 
 You are GStack, an open source AI builder framework shaped by Garry Tan's product, startup, and engineering judgment. Encode how he thinks, not his biography.
diff --git a/codex/SKILL.md b/codex/SKILL.md
index a3c82621..a3eb12cf 100644
--- a/codex/SKILL.md
+++ b/codex/SKILL.md
@@ -71,6 +71,14 @@ if [ -f "$_LEARN_FILE" ]; then
 else
   echo "LEARNINGS: 0"
 fi
+# Check if CLAUDE.md has routing rules
+_HAS_ROUTING="no"
+if [ -f CLAUDE.md ] && grep -q "## Skill routing" CLAUDE.md 2>/dev/null; then
+  _HAS_ROUTING="yes"
+fi
+_ROUTING_DECLINED=$(~/.claude/skills/gstack/bin/gstack-config get routing_declined 2>/dev/null || echo "false")
+echo "HAS_ROUTING: $_HAS_ROUTING"
+echo "ROUTING_DECLINED: $_ROUTING_DECLINED"
 ```
 
 If `PROACTIVE` is `"false"`, do not proactively suggest gstack skills AND do not
@@ -152,6 +160,49 @@ touch ~/.gstack/.proactive-prompted
 
 This only happens once. If `PROACTIVE_PROMPTED` is `yes`, skip this entirely.
 
+If `HAS_ROUTING` is `no` AND `ROUTING_DECLINED` is `false` AND `PROACTIVE_PROMPTED` is `yes`:
+Check if a CLAUDE.md file exists in the project root. If it does not exist, create it.
+
+Use AskUserQuestion:
+
+> gstack works best when your project's CLAUDE.md includes skill routing rules.
+> This tells Claude to use specialized workflows (like /ship, /investigate, /qa)
+> instead of answering directly. It's a one-time addition, about 15 lines.
+
+Options:
+- A) Add routing rules to CLAUDE.md (recommended)
+- B) No thanks, I'll invoke skills manually
+
+If A: Append this section to the end of CLAUDE.md:
+
+```markdown
+
+## Skill routing
+
+When the user's request matches an available skill, ALWAYS invoke it using the Skill
+tool as your FIRST action. Do NOT answer directly, do NOT use other tools first.
+The skill has specialized workflows that produce better results than ad-hoc answers.
+
+Key routing rules:
+- Product ideas, "is this worth building", brainstorming → invoke office-hours
+- Bugs, errors, "why is this broken", 500 errors → invoke investigate
+- Ship, deploy, push, create PR → invoke ship
+- QA, test the site, find bugs → invoke qa
+- Code review, check my diff → invoke review
+- Update docs after shipping → invoke document-release
+- Weekly retro → invoke retro
+- Design system, brand → invoke design-consultation
+- Visual audit, design polish → invoke design-review
+- Architecture review → invoke plan-eng-review
+```
+
+Then commit the change: `git add CLAUDE.md && git commit -m "chore: add gstack skill routing rules to CLAUDE.md"`
+
+If B: run `~/.claude/skills/gstack/bin/gstack-config set routing_declined true`
+Say "No problem. You can add routing rules later by running `gstack-config set routing_declined false` and re-running any skill."
+
+This only happens once per project. If `HAS_ROUTING` is `yes` or `ROUTING_DECLINED` is `true`, skip this entirely.
+
 ## Voice
 
 You are GStack, an open source AI builder framework shaped by Garry Tan's product, startup, and engineering judgment. Encode how he thinks, not his biography.
diff --git a/connect-chrome/SKILL.md b/connect-chrome/SKILL.md
index 49abe502..c863b171 100644
--- a/connect-chrome/SKILL.md
+++ b/connect-chrome/SKILL.md
@@ -68,6 +68,14 @@ if [ -f "$_LEARN_FILE" ]; then
 else
   echo "LEARNINGS: 0"
 fi
+# Check if CLAUDE.md has routing rules
+_HAS_ROUTING="no"
+if [ -f CLAUDE.md ] && grep -q "## Skill routing" CLAUDE.md 2>/dev/null; then
+  _HAS_ROUTING="yes"
+fi
+_ROUTING_DECLINED=$(~/.claude/skills/gstack/bin/gstack-config get routing_declined 2>/dev/null || echo "false")
+echo "HAS_ROUTING: $_HAS_ROUTING"
+echo "ROUTING_DECLINED: $_ROUTING_DECLINED"
 ```
 
 If `PROACTIVE` is `"false"`, do not proactively suggest gstack skills AND do not
@@ -149,6 +157,49 @@ touch ~/.gstack/.proactive-prompted
 
 This only happens once. If `PROACTIVE_PROMPTED` is `yes`, skip this entirely.
 
+If `HAS_ROUTING` is `no` AND `ROUTING_DECLINED` is `false` AND `PROACTIVE_PROMPTED` is `yes`:
+Check if a CLAUDE.md file exists in the project root. If it does not exist, create it.
+
+Use AskUserQuestion:
+
+> gstack works best when your project's CLAUDE.md includes skill routing rules.
+> This tells Claude to use specialized workflows (like /ship, /investigate, /qa)
+> instead of answering directly. It's a one-time addition, about 15 lines.
+
+Options:
+- A) Add routing rules to CLAUDE.md (recommended)
+- B) No thanks, I'll invoke skills manually
+
+If A: Append this section to the end of CLAUDE.md:
+
+```markdown
+
+## Skill routing
+
+When the user's request matches an available skill, ALWAYS invoke it using the Skill
+tool as your FIRST action. Do NOT answer directly, do NOT use other tools first.
+The skill has specialized workflows that produce better results than ad-hoc answers.
+
+Key routing rules:
+- Product ideas, "is this worth building", brainstorming → invoke office-hours
+- Bugs, errors, "why is this broken", 500 errors → invoke investigate
+- Ship, deploy, push, create PR → invoke ship
+- QA, test the site, find bugs → invoke qa
+- Code review, check my diff → invoke review
+- Update docs after shipping → invoke document-release
+- Weekly retro → invoke retro
+- Design system, brand → invoke design-consultation
+- Visual audit, design polish → invoke design-review
+- Architecture review → invoke plan-eng-review
+```
+
+Then commit the change: `git add CLAUDE.md && git commit -m "chore: add gstack skill routing rules to CLAUDE.md"`
+
+If B: run `~/.claude/skills/gstack/bin/gstack-config set routing_declined true`
+Say "No problem. You can add routing rules later by running `gstack-config set routing_declined false` and re-running any skill."
+
+This only happens once per project. If `HAS_ROUTING` is `yes` or `ROUTING_DECLINED` is `true`, skip this entirely.
+
 ## Voice
 
 You are GStack, an open source AI builder framework shaped by Garry Tan's product, startup, and engineering judgment. Encode how he thinks, not his biography.
diff --git a/cso/SKILL.md b/cso/SKILL.md
index 783a5ee0..3945884c 100644
--- a/cso/SKILL.md
+++ b/cso/SKILL.md
@@ -74,6 +74,14 @@ if [ -f "$_LEARN_FILE" ]; then
 else
   echo "LEARNINGS: 0"
 fi
+# Check if CLAUDE.md has routing rules
+_HAS_ROUTING="no"
+if [ -f CLAUDE.md ] && grep -q "## Skill routing" CLAUDE.md 2>/dev/null; then
+  _HAS_ROUTING="yes"
+fi
+_ROUTING_DECLINED=$(~/.claude/skills/gstack/bin/gstack-config get routing_declined 2>/dev/null || echo "false")
+echo "HAS_ROUTING: $_HAS_ROUTING"
+echo "ROUTING_DECLINED: $_ROUTING_DECLINED"
 ```
 
 If `PROACTIVE` is `"false"`, do not proactively suggest gstack skills AND do not
@@ -155,6 +163,49 @@ touch ~/.gstack/.proactive-prompted
 
 This only happens once. If `PROACTIVE_PROMPTED` is `yes`, skip this entirely.
 
+If `HAS_ROUTING` is `no` AND `ROUTING_DECLINED` is `false` AND `PROACTIVE_PROMPTED` is `yes`:
+Check if a CLAUDE.md file exists in the project root. If it does not exist, create it.
+
+Use AskUserQuestion:
+
+> gstack works best when your project's CLAUDE.md includes skill routing rules.
+> This tells Claude to use specialized workflows (like /ship, /investigate, /qa)
+> instead of answering directly. It's a one-time addition, about 15 lines.
+
+Options:
+- A) Add routing rules to CLAUDE.md (recommended)
+- B) No thanks, I'll invoke skills manually
+
+If A: Append this section to the end of CLAUDE.md:
+
+```markdown
+
+## Skill routing
+
+When the user's request matches an available skill, ALWAYS invoke it using the Skill
+tool as your FIRST action. Do NOT answer directly, do NOT use other tools first.
+The skill has specialized workflows that produce better results than ad-hoc answers.
+
+Key routing rules:
+- Product ideas, "is this worth building", brainstorming → invoke office-hours
+- Bugs, errors, "why is this broken", 500 errors → invoke investigate
+- Ship, deploy, push, create PR → invoke ship
+- QA, test the site, find bugs → invoke qa
+- Code review, check my diff → invoke review
+- Update docs after shipping → invoke document-release
+- Weekly retro → invoke retro
+- Design system, brand → invoke design-consultation
+- Visual audit, design polish → invoke design-review
+- Architecture review → invoke plan-eng-review
+```
+
+Then commit the change: `git add CLAUDE.md && git commit -m "chore: add gstack skill routing rules to CLAUDE.md"`
+
+If B: run `~/.claude/skills/gstack/bin/gstack-config set routing_declined true`
+Say "No problem. You can add routing rules later by running `gstack-config set routing_declined false` and re-running any skill."
+
+This only happens once per project. If `HAS_ROUTING` is `yes` or `ROUTING_DECLINED` is `true`, skip this entirely.
+
 ## Voice
 
 You are GStack, an open source AI builder framework shaped by Garry Tan's product, startup, and engineering judgment. Encode how he thinks, not his biography.
diff --git a/design-consultation/SKILL.md b/design-consultation/SKILL.md
index 25ab6fbd..3901ada1 100644
--- a/design-consultation/SKILL.md
+++ b/design-consultation/SKILL.md
@@ -75,6 +75,14 @@ if [ -f "$_LEARN_FILE" ]; then
 else
   echo "LEARNINGS: 0"
 fi
+# Check if CLAUDE.md has routing rules
+_HAS_ROUTING="no"
+if [ -f CLAUDE.md ] && grep -q "## Skill routing" CLAUDE.md 2>/dev/null; then
+  _HAS_ROUTING="yes"
+fi
+_ROUTING_DECLINED=$(~/.claude/skills/gstack/bin/gstack-config get routing_declined 2>/dev/null || echo "false")
+echo "HAS_ROUTING: $_HAS_ROUTING"
+echo "ROUTING_DECLINED: $_ROUTING_DECLINED"
 ```
 
 If `PROACTIVE` is `"false"`, do not proactively suggest gstack skills AND do not
@@ -156,6 +164,49 @@ touch ~/.gstack/.proactive-prompted
 
 This only happens once. If `PROACTIVE_PROMPTED` is `yes`, skip this entirely.
 
+If `HAS_ROUTING` is `no` AND `ROUTING_DECLINED` is `false` AND `PROACTIVE_PROMPTED` is `yes`:
+Check if a CLAUDE.md file exists in the project root. If it does not exist, create it.
+
+Use AskUserQuestion:
+
+> gstack works best when your project's CLAUDE.md includes skill routing rules.
+> This tells Claude to use specialized workflows (like /ship, /investigate, /qa)
+> instead of answering directly. It's a one-time addition, about 15 lines.
+
+Options:
+- A) Add routing rules to CLAUDE.md (recommended)
+- B) No thanks, I'll invoke skills manually
+
+If A: Append this section to the end of CLAUDE.md:
+
+```markdown
+
+## Skill routing
+
+When the user's request matches an available skill, ALWAYS invoke it using the Skill
+tool as your FIRST action. Do NOT answer directly, do NOT use other tools first.
+The skill has specialized workflows that produce better results than ad-hoc answers.
+
+Key routing rules:
+- Product ideas, "is this worth building", brainstorming → invoke office-hours
+- Bugs, errors, "why is this broken", 500 errors → invoke investigate
+- Ship, deploy, push, create PR → invoke ship
+- QA, test the site, find bugs → invoke qa
+- Code review, check my diff → invoke review
+- Update docs after shipping → invoke document-release
+- Weekly retro → invoke retro
+- Design system, brand → invoke design-consultation
+- Visual audit, design polish → invoke design-review
+- Architecture review → invoke plan-eng-review
+```
+
+Then commit the change: `git add CLAUDE.md && git commit -m "chore: add gstack skill routing rules to CLAUDE.md"`
+
+If B: run `~/.claude/skills/gstack/bin/gstack-config set routing_declined true`
+Say "No problem. You can add routing rules later by running `gstack-config set routing_declined false` and re-running any skill."
+
+This only happens once per project. If `HAS_ROUTING` is `yes` or `ROUTING_DECLINED` is `true`, skip this entirely.
+
 ## Voice
 
 You are GStack, an open source AI builder framework shaped by Garry Tan's product, startup, and engineering judgment. Encode how he thinks, not his biography.
diff --git a/design-review/SKILL.md b/design-review/SKILL.md
index 515efb30..c152835c 100644
--- a/design-review/SKILL.md
+++ b/design-review/SKILL.md
@@ -75,6 +75,14 @@ if [ -f "$_LEARN_FILE" ]; then
 else
   echo "LEARNINGS: 0"
 fi
+# Check if CLAUDE.md has routing rules
+_HAS_ROUTING="no"
+if [ -f CLAUDE.md ] && grep -q "## Skill routing" CLAUDE.md 2>/dev/null; then
+  _HAS_ROUTING="yes"
+fi
+_ROUTING_DECLINED=$(~/.claude/skills/gstack/bin/gstack-config get routing_declined 2>/dev/null || echo "false")
+echo "HAS_ROUTING: $_HAS_ROUTING"
+echo "ROUTING_DECLINED: $_ROUTING_DECLINED"
 ```
 
 If `PROACTIVE` is `"false"`, do not proactively suggest gstack skills AND do not
@@ -156,6 +164,49 @@ touch ~/.gstack/.proactive-prompted
 
 This only happens once. If `PROACTIVE_PROMPTED` is `yes`, skip this entirely.
 
+If `HAS_ROUTING` is `no` AND `ROUTING_DECLINED` is `false` AND `PROACTIVE_PROMPTED` is `yes`:
+Check if a CLAUDE.md file exists in the project root. If it does not exist, create it.
+
+Use AskUserQuestion:
+
+> gstack works best when your project's CLAUDE.md includes skill routing rules.
+> This tells Claude to use specialized workflows (like /ship, /investigate, /qa)
+> instead of answering directly. It's a one-time addition, about 15 lines.
+
+Options:
+- A) Add routing rules to CLAUDE.md (recommended)
+- B) No thanks, I'll invoke skills manually
+
+If A: Append this section to the end of CLAUDE.md:
+
+```markdown
+
+## Skill routing
+
+When the user's request matches an available skill, ALWAYS invoke it using the Skill
+tool as your FIRST action. Do NOT answer directly, do NOT use other tools first.
+The skill has specialized workflows that produce better results than ad-hoc answers.
+
+Key routing rules:
+- Product ideas, "is this worth building", brainstorming → invoke office-hours
+- Bugs, errors, "why is this broken", 500 errors → invoke investigate
+- Ship, deploy, push, create PR → invoke ship
+- QA, test the site, find bugs → invoke qa
+- Code review, check my diff → invoke review
+- Update docs after shipping → invoke document-release
+- Weekly retro → invoke retro
+- Design system, brand → invoke design-consultation
+- Visual audit, design polish → invoke design-review
+- Architecture review → invoke plan-eng-review
+```
+
+Then commit the change: `git add CLAUDE.md && git commit -m "chore: add gstack skill routing rules to CLAUDE.md"`
+
+If B: run `~/.claude/skills/gstack/bin/gstack-config set routing_declined true`
+Say "No problem. You can add routing rules later by running `gstack-config set routing_declined false` and re-running any skill."
+
+This only happens once per project. If `HAS_ROUTING` is `yes` or `ROUTING_DECLINED` is `true`, skip this entirely.
+
 ## Voice
 
 You are GStack, an open source AI builder framework shaped by Garry Tan's product, startup, and engineering judgment. Encode how he thinks, not his biography.
diff --git a/design-shotgun/SKILL.md b/design-shotgun/SKILL.md
index ac30aa5f..609907d6 100644
--- a/design-shotgun/SKILL.md
+++ b/design-shotgun/SKILL.md
@@ -72,6 +72,14 @@ if [ -f "$_LEARN_FILE" ]; then
 else
   echo "LEARNINGS: 0"
 fi
+# Check if CLAUDE.md has routing rules
+_HAS_ROUTING="no"
+if [ -f CLAUDE.md ] && grep -q "## Skill routing" CLAUDE.md 2>/dev/null; then
+  _HAS_ROUTING="yes"
+fi
+_ROUTING_DECLINED=$(~/.claude/skills/gstack/bin/gstack-config get routing_declined 2>/dev/null || echo "false")
+echo "HAS_ROUTING: $_HAS_ROUTING"
+echo "ROUTING_DECLINED: $_ROUTING_DECLINED"
 ```
 
 If `PROACTIVE` is `"false"`, do not proactively suggest gstack skills AND do not
@@ -153,6 +161,49 @@ touch ~/.gstack/.proactive-prompted
 
 This only happens once. If `PROACTIVE_PROMPTED` is `yes`, skip this entirely.
 
+If `HAS_ROUTING` is `no` AND `ROUTING_DECLINED` is `false` AND `PROACTIVE_PROMPTED` is `yes`:
+Check if a CLAUDE.md file exists in the project root. If it does not exist, create it.
+
+Use AskUserQuestion:
+
+> gstack works best when your project's CLAUDE.md includes skill routing rules.
+> This tells Claude to use specialized workflows (like /ship, /investigate, /qa)
+> instead of answering directly. It's a one-time addition, about 15 lines.
+
+Options:
+- A) Add routing rules to CLAUDE.md (recommended)
+- B) No thanks, I'll invoke skills manually
+
+If A: Append this section to the end of CLAUDE.md:
+
+```markdown
+
+## Skill routing
+
+When the user's request matches an available skill, ALWAYS invoke it using the Skill
+tool as your FIRST action. Do NOT answer directly, do NOT use other tools first.
+The skill has specialized workflows that produce better results than ad-hoc answers.
+
+Key routing rules:
+- Product ideas, "is this worth building", brainstorming → invoke office-hours
+- Bugs, errors, "why is this broken", 500 errors → invoke investigate
+- Ship, deploy, push, create PR → invoke ship
+- QA, test the site, find bugs → invoke qa
+- Code review, check my diff → invoke review
+- Update docs after shipping → invoke document-release
+- Weekly retro → invoke retro
+- Design system, brand → invoke design-consultation
+- Visual audit, design polish → invoke design-review
+- Architecture review → invoke plan-eng-review
+```
+
+Then commit the change: `git add CLAUDE.md && git commit -m "chore: add gstack skill routing rules to CLAUDE.md"`
+
+If B: run `~/.claude/skills/gstack/bin/gstack-config set routing_declined true`
+Say "No problem. You can add routing rules later by running `gstack-config set routing_declined false` and re-running any skill."
+
+This only happens once per project. If `HAS_ROUTING` is `yes` or `ROUTING_DECLINED` is `true`, skip this entirely.
+
 ## Voice
 
 You are GStack, an open source AI builder framework shaped by Garry Tan's product, startup, and engineering judgment. Encode how he thinks, not his biography.
diff --git a/document-release/SKILL.md b/document-release/SKILL.md
index e7f80c9e..a1c6ede9 100644
--- a/document-release/SKILL.md
+++ b/document-release/SKILL.md
@@ -72,6 +72,14 @@ if [ -f "$_LEARN_FILE" ]; then
 else
   echo "LEARNINGS: 0"
 fi
+# Check if CLAUDE.md has routing rules
+_HAS_ROUTING="no"
+if [ -f CLAUDE.md ] && grep -q "## Skill routing" CLAUDE.md 2>/dev/null; then
+  _HAS_ROUTING="yes"
+fi
+_ROUTING_DECLINED=$(~/.claude/skills/gstack/bin/gstack-config get routing_declined 2>/dev/null || echo "false")
+echo "HAS_ROUTING: $_HAS_ROUTING"
+echo "ROUTING_DECLINED: $_ROUTING_DECLINED"
 ```
 
 If `PROACTIVE` is `"false"`, do not proactively suggest gstack skills AND do not
@@ -153,6 +161,49 @@ touch ~/.gstack/.proactive-prompted
 
 This only happens once. If `PROACTIVE_PROMPTED` is `yes`, skip this entirely.
 
+If `HAS_ROUTING` is `no` AND `ROUTING_DECLINED` is `false` AND `PROACTIVE_PROMPTED` is `yes`:
+Check if a CLAUDE.md file exists in the project root. If it does not exist, create it.
+
+Use AskUserQuestion:
+
+> gstack works best when your project's CLAUDE.md includes skill routing rules.
+> This tells Claude to use specialized workflows (like /ship, /investigate, /qa)
+> instead of answering directly. It's a one-time addition, about 15 lines.
+
+Options:
+- A) Add routing rules to CLAUDE.md (recommended)
+- B) No thanks, I'll invoke skills manually
+
+If A: Append this section to the end of CLAUDE.md:
+
+```markdown
+
+## Skill routing
+
+When the user's request matches an available skill, ALWAYS invoke it using the Skill
+tool as your FIRST action. Do NOT answer directly, do NOT use other tools first.
+The skill has specialized workflows that produce better results than ad-hoc answers.
+
+Key routing rules:
+- Product ideas, "is this worth building", brainstorming → invoke office-hours
+- Bugs, errors, "why is this broken", 500 errors → invoke investigate
+- Ship, deploy, push, create PR → invoke ship
+- QA, test the site, find bugs → invoke qa
+- Code review, check my diff → invoke review
+- Update docs after shipping → invoke document-release
+- Weekly retro → invoke retro
+- Design system, brand → invoke design-consultation
+- Visual audit, design polish → invoke design-review
+- Architecture review → invoke plan-eng-review
+```
+
+Then commit the change: `git add CLAUDE.md && git commit -m "chore: add gstack skill routing rules to CLAUDE.md"`
+
+If B: run `~/.claude/skills/gstack/bin/gstack-config set routing_declined true`
+Say "No problem. You can add routing rules later by running `gstack-config set routing_declined false` and re-running any skill."
+
+This only happens once per project. If `HAS_ROUTING` is `yes` or `ROUTING_DECLINED` is `true`, skip this entirely.
+
 ## Voice
 
 You are GStack, an open source AI builder framework shaped by Garry Tan's product, startup, and engineering judgment. Encode how he thinks, not his biography.
diff --git a/investigate/SKILL.md b/investigate/SKILL.md
index 565cc640..ab940d17 100644
--- a/investigate/SKILL.md
+++ b/investigate/SKILL.md
@@ -7,8 +7,9 @@ description: |
   analyze, hypothesize, implement. Iron Law: no fixes without root cause.
   Use when asked to "debug this", "fix this bug", "why is this broken",
   "investigate this error", or "root cause analysis".
-  Proactively suggest when the user reports errors, unexpected behavior, or
-  is troubleshooting why something stopped working. (gstack)
+  Proactively invoke this skill (do NOT debug directly) when the user reports
+  errors, 500 errors, stack traces, unexpected behavior, "it was working
+  yesterday", or is troubleshooting why something stopped working. (gstack)
 allowed-tools:
   - Bash
   - Read
@@ -86,6 +87,14 @@ if [ -f "$_LEARN_FILE" ]; then
 else
   echo "LEARNINGS: 0"
 fi
+# Check if CLAUDE.md has routing rules
+_HAS_ROUTING="no"
+if [ -f CLAUDE.md ] && grep -q "## Skill routing" CLAUDE.md 2>/dev/null; then
+  _HAS_ROUTING="yes"
+fi
+_ROUTING_DECLINED=$(~/.claude/skills/gstack/bin/gstack-config get routing_declined 2>/dev/null || echo "false")
+echo "HAS_ROUTING: $_HAS_ROUTING"
+echo "ROUTING_DECLINED: $_ROUTING_DECLINED"
 ```
 
 If `PROACTIVE` is `"false"`, do not proactively suggest gstack skills AND do not
@@ -167,6 +176,49 @@ touch ~/.gstack/.proactive-prompted
 
 This only happens once. If `PROACTIVE_PROMPTED` is `yes`, skip this entirely.
 
+If `HAS_ROUTING` is `no` AND `ROUTING_DECLINED` is `false` AND `PROACTIVE_PROMPTED` is `yes`:
+Check if a CLAUDE.md file exists in the project root. If it does not exist, create it.
+
+Use AskUserQuestion:
+
+> gstack works best when your project's CLAUDE.md includes skill routing rules.
+> This tells Claude to use specialized workflows (like /ship, /investigate, /qa)
+> instead of answering directly. It's a one-time addition, about 15 lines.
+
+Options:
+- A) Add routing rules to CLAUDE.md (recommended)
+- B) No thanks, I'll invoke skills manually
+
+If A: Append this section to the end of CLAUDE.md:
+
+```markdown
+
+## Skill routing
+
+When the user's request matches an available skill, ALWAYS invoke it using the Skill
+tool as your FIRST action. Do NOT answer directly, do NOT use other tools first.
+The skill has specialized workflows that produce better results than ad-hoc answers.
+
+Key routing rules:
+- Product ideas, "is this worth building", brainstorming → invoke office-hours
+- Bugs, errors, "why is this broken", 500 errors → invoke investigate
+- Ship, deploy, push, create PR → invoke ship
+- QA, test the site, find bugs → invoke qa
+- Code review, check my diff → invoke review
+- Update docs after shipping → invoke document-release
+- Weekly retro → invoke retro
+- Design system, brand → invoke design-consultation
+- Visual audit, design polish → invoke design-review
+- Architecture review → invoke plan-eng-review
+```
+
+Then commit the change: `git add CLAUDE.md && git commit -m "chore: add gstack skill routing rules to CLAUDE.md"`
+
+If B: run `~/.claude/skills/gstack/bin/gstack-config set routing_declined true`
+Say "No problem. You can add routing rules later by running `gstack-config set routing_declined false` and re-running any skill."
+
+This only happens once per project. If `HAS_ROUTING` is `yes` or `ROUTING_DECLINED` is `true`, skip this entirely.
+
 ## Voice
 
 You are GStack, an open source AI builder framework shaped by Garry Tan's product, startup, and engineering judgment. Encode how he thinks, not his biography.
diff --git a/investigate/SKILL.md.tmpl b/investigate/SKILL.md.tmpl
index 4da2a708..3004300e 100644
--- a/investigate/SKILL.md.tmpl
+++ b/investigate/SKILL.md.tmpl
@@ -7,8 +7,9 @@ description: |
   analyze, hypothesize, implement. Iron Law: no fixes without root cause.
   Use when asked to "debug this", "fix this bug", "why is this broken",
   "investigate this error", or "root cause analysis".
-  Proactively suggest when the user reports errors, unexpected behavior, or
-  is troubleshooting why something stopped working. (gstack)
+  Proactively invoke this skill (do NOT debug directly) when the user reports
+  errors, 500 errors, stack traces, unexpected behavior, "it was working
+  yesterday", or is troubleshooting why something stopped working. (gstack)
 allowed-tools:
   - Bash
   - Read
diff --git a/land-and-deploy/SKILL.md b/land-and-deploy/SKILL.md
index 1276abec..6311ecfc 100644
--- a/land-and-deploy/SKILL.md
+++ b/land-and-deploy/SKILL.md
@@ -69,6 +69,14 @@ if [ -f "$_LEARN_FILE" ]; then
 else
   echo "LEARNINGS: 0"
 fi
+# Check if CLAUDE.md has routing rules
+_HAS_ROUTING="no"
+if [ -f CLAUDE.md ] && grep -q "## Skill routing" CLAUDE.md 2>/dev/null; then
+  _HAS_ROUTING="yes"
+fi
+_ROUTING_DECLINED=$(~/.claude/skills/gstack/bin/gstack-config get routing_declined 2>/dev/null || echo "false")
+echo "HAS_ROUTING: $_HAS_ROUTING"
+echo "ROUTING_DECLINED: $_ROUTING_DECLINED"
 ```
 
 If `PROACTIVE` is `"false"`, do not proactively suggest gstack skills AND do not
@@ -150,6 +158,49 @@ touch ~/.gstack/.proactive-prompted
 
 This only happens once. If `PROACTIVE_PROMPTED` is `yes`, skip this entirely.
 
+If `HAS_ROUTING` is `no` AND `ROUTING_DECLINED` is `false` AND `PROACTIVE_PROMPTED` is `yes`:
+Check if a CLAUDE.md file exists in the project root. If it does not exist, create it.
+
+Use AskUserQuestion:
+
+> gstack works best when your project's CLAUDE.md includes skill routing rules.
+> This tells Claude to use specialized workflows (like /ship, /investigate, /qa)
+> instead of answering directly. It's a one-time addition, about 15 lines.
+
+Options:
+- A) Add routing rules to CLAUDE.md (recommended)
+- B) No thanks, I'll invoke skills manually
+
+If A: Append this section to the end of CLAUDE.md:
+
+```markdown
+
+## Skill routing
+
+When the user's request matches an available skill, ALWAYS invoke it using the Skill
+tool as your FIRST action. Do NOT answer directly, do NOT use other tools first.
+The skill has specialized workflows that produce better results than ad-hoc answers.
+
+Key routing rules:
+- Product ideas, "is this worth building", brainstorming → invoke office-hours
+- Bugs, errors, "why is this broken", 500 errors → invoke investigate
+- Ship, deploy, push, create PR → invoke ship
+- QA, test the site, find bugs → invoke qa
+- Code review, check my diff → invoke review
+- Update docs after shipping → invoke document-release
+- Weekly retro → invoke retro
+- Design system, brand → invoke design-consultation
+- Visual audit, design polish → invoke design-review
+- Architecture review → invoke plan-eng-review
+```
+
+Then commit the change: `git add CLAUDE.md && git commit -m "chore: add gstack skill routing rules to CLAUDE.md"`
+
+If B: run `~/.claude/skills/gstack/bin/gstack-config set routing_declined true`
+Say "No problem. You can add routing rules later by running `gstack-config set routing_declined false` and re-running any skill."
+
+This only happens once per project. If `HAS_ROUTING` is `yes` or `ROUTING_DECLINED` is `true`, skip this entirely.
+
 ## Voice
 
 You are GStack, an open source AI builder framework shaped by Garry Tan's product, startup, and engineering judgment. Encode how he thinks, not his biography.
diff --git a/learn/SKILL.md b/learn/SKILL.md
index 67fa311e..324b4a38 100644
--- a/learn/SKILL.md
+++ b/learn/SKILL.md
@@ -72,6 +72,14 @@ if [ -f "$_LEARN_FILE" ]; then
 else
   echo "LEARNINGS: 0"
 fi
+# Check if CLAUDE.md has routing rules
+_HAS_ROUTING="no"
+if [ -f CLAUDE.md ] && grep -q "## Skill routing" CLAUDE.md 2>/dev/null; then
+  _HAS_ROUTING="yes"
+fi
+_ROUTING_DECLINED=$(~/.claude/skills/gstack/bin/gstack-config get routing_declined 2>/dev/null || echo "false")
+echo "HAS_ROUTING: $_HAS_ROUTING"
+echo "ROUTING_DECLINED: $_ROUTING_DECLINED"
 ```
 
 If `PROACTIVE` is `"false"`, do not proactively suggest gstack skills AND do not
@@ -153,6 +161,49 @@ touch ~/.gstack/.proactive-prompted
 
 This only happens once. If `PROACTIVE_PROMPTED` is `yes`, skip this entirely.
 
+If `HAS_ROUTING` is `no` AND `ROUTING_DECLINED` is `false` AND `PROACTIVE_PROMPTED` is `yes`:
+Check if a CLAUDE.md file exists in the project root. If it does not exist, create it.
+
+Use AskUserQuestion:
+
+> gstack works best when your project's CLAUDE.md includes skill routing rules.
+> This tells Claude to use specialized workflows (like /ship, /investigate, /qa)
+> instead of answering directly. It's a one-time addition, about 15 lines.
+
+Options:
+- A) Add routing rules to CLAUDE.md (recommended)
+- B) No thanks, I'll invoke skills manually
+
+If A: Append this section to the end of CLAUDE.md:
+
+```markdown
+
+## Skill routing
+
+When the user's request matches an available skill, ALWAYS invoke it using the Skill
+tool as your FIRST action. Do NOT answer directly, do NOT use other tools first.
+The skill has specialized workflows that produce better results than ad-hoc answers.
+
+Key routing rules:
+- Product ideas, "is this worth building", brainstorming → invoke office-hours
+- Bugs, errors, "why is this broken", 500 errors → invoke investigate
+- Ship, deploy, push, create PR → invoke ship
+- QA, test the site, find bugs → invoke qa
+- Code review, check my diff → invoke review
+- Update docs after shipping → invoke document-release
+- Weekly retro → invoke retro
+- Design system, brand → invoke design-consultation
+- Visual audit, design polish → invoke design-review
+- Architecture review → invoke plan-eng-review
+```
+
+Then commit the change: `git add CLAUDE.md && git commit -m "chore: add gstack skill routing rules to CLAUDE.md"`
+
+If B: run `~/.claude/skills/gstack/bin/gstack-config set routing_declined true`
+Say "No problem. You can add routing rules later by running `gstack-config set routing_declined false` and re-running any skill."
+
+This only happens once per project. If `HAS_ROUTING` is `yes` or `ROUTING_DECLINED` is `true`, skip this entirely.
+
 ## Voice
 
 You are GStack, an open source AI builder framework shaped by Garry Tan's product, startup, and engineering judgment. Encode how he thinks, not his biography.
diff --git a/office-hours/SKILL.md b/office-hours/SKILL.md
index 2c6458ce..75beef32 100644
--- a/office-hours/SKILL.md
+++ b/office-hours/SKILL.md
@@ -9,8 +9,10 @@ description: |
   hackathons, learning, and open source. Saves a design doc.
   Use when asked to "brainstorm this", "I have an idea", "help me think through
   this", "office hours", or "is this worth building".
-  Proactively suggest when the user describes a new product idea or is exploring
-  whether something is worth building — before any code is written.
+  Proactively invoke this skill (do NOT answer directly) when the user describes
+  a new product idea, asks whether something is worth building, wants to think
+  through design decisions for something that doesn't exist yet, or is exploring
+  a concept before any code is written.
   Use before /plan-ceo-review or /plan-eng-review. (gstack)
 allowed-tools:
   - Bash
@@ -77,6 +79,14 @@ if [ -f "$_LEARN_FILE" ]; then
 else
   echo "LEARNINGS: 0"
 fi
+# Check if CLAUDE.md has routing rules
+_HAS_ROUTING="no"
+if [ -f CLAUDE.md ] && grep -q "## Skill routing" CLAUDE.md 2>/dev/null; then
+  _HAS_ROUTING="yes"
+fi
+_ROUTING_DECLINED=$(~/.claude/skills/gstack/bin/gstack-config get routing_declined 2>/dev/null || echo "false")
+echo "HAS_ROUTING: $_HAS_ROUTING"
+echo "ROUTING_DECLINED: $_ROUTING_DECLINED"
 ```
 
 If `PROACTIVE` is `"false"`, do not proactively suggest gstack skills AND do not
@@ -158,6 +168,49 @@ touch ~/.gstack/.proactive-prompted
 
 This only happens once. If `PROACTIVE_PROMPTED` is `yes`, skip this entirely.
 
+If `HAS_ROUTING` is `no` AND `ROUTING_DECLINED` is `false` AND `PROACTIVE_PROMPTED` is `yes`:
+Check if a CLAUDE.md file exists in the project root. If it does not exist, create it.
+
+Use AskUserQuestion:
+
+> gstack works best when your project's CLAUDE.md includes skill routing rules.
+> This tells Claude to use specialized workflows (like /ship, /investigate, /qa)
+> instead of answering directly. It's a one-time addition, about 15 lines.
+
+Options:
+- A) Add routing rules to CLAUDE.md (recommended)
+- B) No thanks, I'll invoke skills manually
+
+If A: Append this section to the end of CLAUDE.md:
+
+```markdown
+
+## Skill routing
+
+When the user's request matches an available skill, ALWAYS invoke it using the Skill
+tool as your FIRST action. Do NOT answer directly, do NOT use other tools first.
+The skill has specialized workflows that produce better results than ad-hoc answers.
+
+Key routing rules:
+- Product ideas, "is this worth building", brainstorming → invoke office-hours
+- Bugs, errors, "why is this broken", 500 errors → invoke investigate
+- Ship, deploy, push, create PR → invoke ship
+- QA, test the site, find bugs → invoke qa
+- Code review, check my diff → invoke review
+- Update docs after shipping → invoke document-release
+- Weekly retro → invoke retro
+- Design system, brand → invoke design-consultation
+- Visual audit, design polish → invoke design-review
+- Architecture review → invoke plan-eng-review
+```
+
+Then commit the change: `git add CLAUDE.md && git commit -m "chore: add gstack skill routing rules to CLAUDE.md"`
+
+If B: run `~/.claude/skills/gstack/bin/gstack-config set routing_declined true`
+Say "No problem. You can add routing rules later by running `gstack-config set routing_declined false` and re-running any skill."
+
+This only happens once per project. If `HAS_ROUTING` is `yes` or `ROUTING_DECLINED` is `true`, skip this entirely.
+
 ## Voice
 
 You are GStack, an open source AI builder framework shaped by Garry Tan's product, startup, and engineering judgment. Encode how he thinks, not his biography.
diff --git a/office-hours/SKILL.md.tmpl b/office-hours/SKILL.md.tmpl
index 1e340cf9..ba7c3c1e 100644
--- a/office-hours/SKILL.md.tmpl
+++ b/office-hours/SKILL.md.tmpl
@@ -9,8 +9,10 @@ description: |
   hackathons, learning, and open source. Saves a design doc.
   Use when asked to "brainstorm this", "I have an idea", "help me think through
   this", "office hours", or "is this worth building".
-  Proactively suggest when the user describes a new product idea or is exploring
-  whether something is worth building — before any code is written.
+  Proactively invoke this skill (do NOT answer directly) when the user describes
+  a new product idea, asks whether something is worth building, wants to think
+  through design decisions for something that doesn't exist yet, or is exploring
+  a concept before any code is written.
   Use before /plan-ceo-review or /plan-eng-review. (gstack)
 allowed-tools:
   - Bash
diff --git a/package.json b/package.json
index 13b85f96..f34218c0 100644
--- a/package.json
+++ b/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "gstack",
-  "version": "0.13.8.0",
+  "version": "0.13.9.0",
   "description": "Garry's Stack — Claude Code skills + fast headless browser. One repo, one install, entire AI engineering workflow.",
   "license": "MIT",
   "type": "module",
diff --git a/plan-ceo-review/SKILL.md b/plan-ceo-review/SKILL.md
index 40d03ef6..c7631669 100644
--- a/plan-ceo-review/SKILL.md
+++ b/plan-ceo-review/SKILL.md
@@ -75,6 +75,14 @@ if [ -f "$_LEARN_FILE" ]; then
 else
   echo "LEARNINGS: 0"
 fi
+# Check if CLAUDE.md has routing rules
+_HAS_ROUTING="no"
+if [ -f CLAUDE.md ] && grep -q "## Skill routing" CLAUDE.md 2>/dev/null; then
+  _HAS_ROUTING="yes"
+fi
+_ROUTING_DECLINED=$(~/.claude/skills/gstack/bin/gstack-config get routing_declined 2>/dev/null || echo "false")
+echo "HAS_ROUTING: $_HAS_ROUTING"
+echo "ROUTING_DECLINED: $_ROUTING_DECLINED"
 ```
 
 If `PROACTIVE` is `"false"`, do not proactively suggest gstack skills AND do not
@@ -156,6 +164,49 @@ touch ~/.gstack/.proactive-prompted
 
 This only happens once. If `PROACTIVE_PROMPTED` is `yes`, skip this entirely.
 
+If `HAS_ROUTING` is `no` AND `ROUTING_DECLINED` is `false` AND `PROACTIVE_PROMPTED` is `yes`:
+Check if a CLAUDE.md file exists in the project root. If it does not exist, create it.
+
+Use AskUserQuestion:
+
+> gstack works best when your project's CLAUDE.md includes skill routing rules.
+> This tells Claude to use specialized workflows (like /ship, /investigate, /qa)
+> instead of answering directly. It's a one-time addition, about 15 lines.
+
+Options:
+- A) Add routing rules to CLAUDE.md (recommended)
+- B) No thanks, I'll invoke skills manually
+
+If A: Append this section to the end of CLAUDE.md:
+
+```markdown
+
+## Skill routing
+
+When the user's request matches an available skill, ALWAYS invoke it using the Skill
+tool as your FIRST action. Do NOT answer directly, do NOT use other tools first.
+The skill has specialized workflows that produce better results than ad-hoc answers.
+
+Key routing rules:
+- Product ideas, "is this worth building", brainstorming → invoke office-hours
+- Bugs, errors, "why is this broken", 500 errors → invoke investigate
+- Ship, deploy, push, create PR → invoke ship
+- QA, test the site, find bugs → invoke qa
+- Code review, check my diff → invoke review
+- Update docs after shipping → invoke document-release
+- Weekly retro → invoke retro
+- Design system, brand → invoke design-consultation
+- Visual audit, design polish → invoke design-review
+- Architecture review → invoke plan-eng-review
+```
+
+Then commit the change: `git add CLAUDE.md && git commit -m "chore: add gstack skill routing rules to CLAUDE.md"`
+
+If B: run `~/.claude/skills/gstack/bin/gstack-config set routing_declined true`
+Say "No problem. You can add routing rules later by running `gstack-config set routing_declined false` and re-running any skill."
+
+This only happens once per project. If `HAS_ROUTING` is `yes` or `ROUTING_DECLINED` is `true`, skip this entirely.
+
 ## Voice
 
 You are GStack, an open source AI builder framework shaped by Garry Tan's product, startup, and engineering judgment. Encode how he thinks, not his biography.
@@ -529,10 +580,11 @@ If they choose A:
 Say: "Running /office-hours inline. Once the design doc is ready, I'll pick up
 the review right where we left off."
 
-Read the office-hours skill file from disk using the Read tool:
-`~/.claude/skills/gstack/office-hours/SKILL.md`
+Read the `/office-hours` skill file at `~/.claude/skills/gstack/office-hours/SKILL.md` using the Read tool.
 
-Follow it inline, **skipping these sections** (already handled by the parent skill):
+**If unreadable:** Skip with "Could not load /office-hours — skipping." and continue.
+
+Follow its instructions from top to bottom, **skipping these sections** (already handled by the parent skill):
 - Preamble (run first)
 - AskUserQuestion Format
 - Completeness Principle — Boil the Lake
@@ -540,9 +592,13 @@ Follow it inline, **skipping these sections** (already handled by the parent ski
 - Contributor Mode
 - Completion Status Protocol
 - Telemetry (run last)
+- Step 0: Detect platform and base branch
+- Review Readiness Dashboard
+- Plan File Review Report
+- Prerequisite Skill Offer
+- Plan Status Footer
 
-If the Read fails (file not found), say:
-"Could not load /office-hours — proceeding with standard review."
+Execute every other section at full depth. When the loaded skill's instructions are complete, continue with the next step below.
 
 After /office-hours completes, re-run the design doc check:
 ```bash
@@ -568,12 +624,27 @@ sure," or is clearly exploring rather than reviewing — offer `/office-hours`:
 Options: A) Yes, run /office-hours now. B) No, keep going.
 If they keep going, proceed normally — no guilt, no re-asking.
 
-If they choose A: Read the office-hours skill file from disk:
-`~/.claude/skills/gstack/office-hours/SKILL.md`
+If they choose A:
 
-Follow it inline, skipping these sections (already handled by parent skill):
-Preamble, AskUserQuestion Format, Completeness Principle, Search Before Building,
-Contributor Mode, Completion Status Protocol, Telemetry.
+Read the `/office-hours` skill file at `~/.claude/skills/gstack/office-hours/SKILL.md` using the Read tool.
+
+**If unreadable:** Skip with "Could not load /office-hours — skipping." and continue.
+
+Follow its instructions from top to bottom, **skipping these sections** (already handled by the parent skill):
+- Preamble (run first)
+- AskUserQuestion Format
+- Completeness Principle — Boil the Lake
+- Search Before Building
+- Contributor Mode
+- Completion Status Protocol
+- Telemetry (run last)
+- Step 0: Detect platform and base branch
+- Review Readiness Dashboard
+- Plan File Review Report
+- Prerequisite Skill Offer
+- Plan Status Footer
+
+Execute every other section at full depth. When the loaded skill's instructions are complete, continue with the next step below.
 
 Note current Step 0A progress so you don't re-ask questions already answered.
 After completion, re-run the design doc check and resume the review.
diff --git a/plan-ceo-review/SKILL.md.tmpl b/plan-ceo-review/SKILL.md.tmpl
index d0f74764..b33aaa30 100644
--- a/plan-ceo-review/SKILL.md.tmpl
+++ b/plan-ceo-review/SKILL.md.tmpl
@@ -143,12 +143,9 @@ sure," or is clearly exploring rather than reviewing — offer `/office-hours`:
 Options: A) Yes, run /office-hours now. B) No, keep going.
 If they keep going, proceed normally — no guilt, no re-asking.
 
-If they choose A: Read the office-hours skill file from disk:
-`~/.claude/skills/gstack/office-hours/SKILL.md`
+If they choose A:
 
-Follow it inline, skipping these sections (already handled by parent skill):
-Preamble, AskUserQuestion Format, Completeness Principle, Search Before Building,
-Contributor Mode, Completion Status Protocol, Telemetry.
+{{INVOKE_SKILL:office-hours}}
 
 Note current Step 0A progress so you don't re-ask questions already answered.
 After completion, re-run the design doc check and resume the review.
diff --git a/plan-design-review/SKILL.md b/plan-design-review/SKILL.md
index 452537cb..86a950a8 100644
--- a/plan-design-review/SKILL.md
+++ b/plan-design-review/SKILL.md
@@ -73,6 +73,14 @@ if [ -f "$_LEARN_FILE" ]; then
 else
   echo "LEARNINGS: 0"
 fi
+# Check if CLAUDE.md has routing rules
+_HAS_ROUTING="no"
+if [ -f CLAUDE.md ] && grep -q "## Skill routing" CLAUDE.md 2>/dev/null; then
+  _HAS_ROUTING="yes"
+fi
+_ROUTING_DECLINED=$(~/.claude/skills/gstack/bin/gstack-config get routing_declined 2>/dev/null || echo "false")
+echo "HAS_ROUTING: $_HAS_ROUTING"
+echo "ROUTING_DECLINED: $_ROUTING_DECLINED"
 ```
 
 If `PROACTIVE` is `"false"`, do not proactively suggest gstack skills AND do not
@@ -154,6 +162,49 @@ touch ~/.gstack/.proactive-prompted
 
 This only happens once. If `PROACTIVE_PROMPTED` is `yes`, skip this entirely.
 
+If `HAS_ROUTING` is `no` AND `ROUTING_DECLINED` is `false` AND `PROACTIVE_PROMPTED` is `yes`:
+Check if a CLAUDE.md file exists in the project root. If it does not exist, create it.
+
+Use AskUserQuestion:
+
+> gstack works best when your project's CLAUDE.md includes skill routing rules.
+> This tells Claude to use specialized workflows (like /ship, /investigate, /qa)
+> instead of answering directly. It's a one-time addition, about 15 lines.
+
+Options:
+- A) Add routing rules to CLAUDE.md (recommended)
+- B) No thanks, I'll invoke skills manually
+
+If A: Append this section to the end of CLAUDE.md:
+
+```markdown
+
+## Skill routing
+
+When the user's request matches an available skill, ALWAYS invoke it using the Skill
+tool as your FIRST action. Do NOT answer directly, do NOT use other tools first.
+The skill has specialized workflows that produce better results than ad-hoc answers.
+
+Key routing rules:
+- Product ideas, "is this worth building", brainstorming → invoke office-hours
+- Bugs, errors, "why is this broken", 500 errors → invoke investigate
+- Ship, deploy, push, create PR → invoke ship
+- QA, test the site, find bugs → invoke qa
+- Code review, check my diff → invoke review
+- Update docs after shipping → invoke document-release
+- Weekly retro → invoke retro
+- Design system, brand → invoke design-consultation
+- Visual audit, design polish → invoke design-review
+- Architecture review → invoke plan-eng-review
+```
+
+Then commit the change: `git add CLAUDE.md && git commit -m "chore: add gstack skill routing rules to CLAUDE.md"`
+
+If B: run `~/.claude/skills/gstack/bin/gstack-config set routing_declined true`
+Say "No problem. You can add routing rules later by running `gstack-config set routing_declined false` and re-running any skill."
+
+This only happens once per project. If `HAS_ROUTING` is `yes` or `ROUTING_DECLINED` is `true`, skip this entirely.
+
 ## Voice
 
 You are GStack, an open source AI builder framework shaped by Garry Tan's product, startup, and engineering judgment. Encode how he thinks, not his biography.
diff --git a/plan-eng-review/SKILL.md b/plan-eng-review/SKILL.md
index 109f6b2b..1dad9fc0 100644
--- a/plan-eng-review/SKILL.md
+++ b/plan-eng-review/SKILL.md
@@ -74,6 +74,14 @@ if [ -f "$_LEARN_FILE" ]; then
 else
   echo "LEARNINGS: 0"
 fi
+# Check if CLAUDE.md has routing rules
+_HAS_ROUTING="no"
+if [ -f CLAUDE.md ] && grep -q "## Skill routing" CLAUDE.md 2>/dev/null; then
+  _HAS_ROUTING="yes"
+fi
+_ROUTING_DECLINED=$(~/.claude/skills/gstack/bin/gstack-config get routing_declined 2>/dev/null || echo "false")
+echo "HAS_ROUTING: $_HAS_ROUTING"
+echo "ROUTING_DECLINED: $_ROUTING_DECLINED"
 ```
 
 If `PROACTIVE` is `"false"`, do not proactively suggest gstack skills AND do not
@@ -155,6 +163,49 @@ touch ~/.gstack/.proactive-prompted
 
 This only happens once. If `PROACTIVE_PROMPTED` is `yes`, skip this entirely.
 
+If `HAS_ROUTING` is `no` AND `ROUTING_DECLINED` is `false` AND `PROACTIVE_PROMPTED` is `yes`:
+Check if a CLAUDE.md file exists in the project root. If it does not exist, create it.
+
+Use AskUserQuestion:
+
+> gstack works best when your project's CLAUDE.md includes skill routing rules.
+> This tells Claude to use specialized workflows (like /ship, /investigate, /qa)
+> instead of answering directly. It's a one-time addition, about 15 lines.
+
+Options:
+- A) Add routing rules to CLAUDE.md (recommended)
+- B) No thanks, I'll invoke skills manually
+
+If A: Append this section to the end of CLAUDE.md:
+
+```markdown
+
+## Skill routing
+
+When the user's request matches an available skill, ALWAYS invoke it using the Skill
+tool as your FIRST action. Do NOT answer directly, do NOT use other tools first.
+The skill has specialized workflows that produce better results than ad-hoc answers.
+
+Key routing rules:
+- Product ideas, "is this worth building", brainstorming → invoke office-hours
+- Bugs, errors, "why is this broken", 500 errors → invoke investigate
+- Ship, deploy, push, create PR → invoke ship
+- QA, test the site, find bugs → invoke qa
+- Code review, check my diff → invoke review
+- Update docs after shipping → invoke document-release
+- Weekly retro → invoke retro
+- Design system, brand → invoke design-consultation
+- Visual audit, design polish → invoke design-review
+- Architecture review → invoke plan-eng-review
+```
+
+Then commit the change: `git add CLAUDE.md && git commit -m "chore: add gstack skill routing rules to CLAUDE.md"`
+
+If B: run `~/.claude/skills/gstack/bin/gstack-config set routing_declined true`
+Say "No problem. You can add routing rules later by running `gstack-config set routing_declined false` and re-running any skill."
+
+This only happens once per project. If `HAS_ROUTING` is `yes` or `ROUTING_DECLINED` is `true`, skip this entirely.
+
 ## Voice
 
 You are GStack, an open source AI builder framework shaped by Garry Tan's product, startup, and engineering judgment. Encode how he thinks, not his biography.
@@ -439,10 +490,11 @@ If they choose A:
 Say: "Running /office-hours inline. Once the design doc is ready, I'll pick up
 the review right where we left off."
 
-Read the office-hours skill file from disk using the Read tool:
-`~/.claude/skills/gstack/office-hours/SKILL.md`
+Read the `/office-hours` skill file at `~/.claude/skills/gstack/office-hours/SKILL.md` using the Read tool.
 
-Follow it inline, **skipping these sections** (already handled by the parent skill):
+**If unreadable:** Skip with "Could not load /office-hours — skipping." and continue.
+
+Follow its instructions from top to bottom, **skipping these sections** (already handled by the parent skill):
 - Preamble (run first)
 - AskUserQuestion Format
 - Completeness Principle — Boil the Lake
@@ -450,9 +502,13 @@ Follow it inline, **skipping these sections** (already handled by the parent ski
 - Contributor Mode
 - Completion Status Protocol
 - Telemetry (run last)
+- Step 0: Detect platform and base branch
+- Review Readiness Dashboard
+- Plan File Review Report
+- Prerequisite Skill Offer
+- Plan Status Footer
 
-If the Read fails (file not found), say:
-"Could not load /office-hours — proceeding with standard review."
+Execute every other section at full depth. When the loaded skill's instructions are complete, continue with the next step below.
 
 After /office-hours completes, re-run the design doc check:
 ```bash
diff --git a/qa-only/SKILL.md b/qa-only/SKILL.md
index 19acfe92..2beb599a 100644
--- a/qa-only/SKILL.md
+++ b/qa-only/SKILL.md
@@ -70,6 +70,14 @@ if [ -f "$_LEARN_FILE" ]; then
 else
   echo "LEARNINGS: 0"
 fi
+# Check if CLAUDE.md has routing rules
+_HAS_ROUTING="no"
+if [ -f CLAUDE.md ] && grep -q "## Skill routing" CLAUDE.md 2>/dev/null; then
+  _HAS_ROUTING="yes"
+fi
+_ROUTING_DECLINED=$(~/.claude/skills/gstack/bin/gstack-config get routing_declined 2>/dev/null || echo "false")
+echo "HAS_ROUTING: $_HAS_ROUTING"
+echo "ROUTING_DECLINED: $_ROUTING_DECLINED"
 ```
 
 If `PROACTIVE` is `"false"`, do not proactively suggest gstack skills AND do not
@@ -151,6 +159,49 @@ touch ~/.gstack/.proactive-prompted
 
 This only happens once. If `PROACTIVE_PROMPTED` is `yes`, skip this entirely.
 
+If `HAS_ROUTING` is `no` AND `ROUTING_DECLINED` is `false` AND `PROACTIVE_PROMPTED` is `yes`:
+Check if a CLAUDE.md file exists in the project root. If it does not exist, create it.
+
+Use AskUserQuestion:
+
+> gstack works best when your project's CLAUDE.md includes skill routing rules.
+> This tells Claude to use specialized workflows (like /ship, /investigate, /qa)
+> instead of answering directly. It's a one-time addition, about 15 lines.
+
+Options:
+- A) Add routing rules to CLAUDE.md (recommended)
+- B) No thanks, I'll invoke skills manually
+
+If A: Append this section to the end of CLAUDE.md:
+
+```markdown
+
+## Skill routing
+
+When the user's request matches an available skill, ALWAYS invoke it using the Skill
+tool as your FIRST action. Do NOT answer directly, do NOT use other tools first.
+The skill has specialized workflows that produce better results than ad-hoc answers.
+
+Key routing rules:
+- Product ideas, "is this worth building", brainstorming → invoke office-hours
+- Bugs, errors, "why is this broken", 500 errors → invoke investigate
+- Ship, deploy, push, create PR → invoke ship
+- QA, test the site, find bugs → invoke qa
+- Code review, check my diff → invoke review
+- Update docs after shipping → invoke document-release
+- Weekly retro → invoke retro
+- Design system, brand → invoke design-consultation
+- Visual audit, design polish → invoke design-review
+- Architecture review → invoke plan-eng-review
+```
+
+Then commit the change: `git add CLAUDE.md && git commit -m "chore: add gstack skill routing rules to CLAUDE.md"`
+
+If B: run `~/.claude/skills/gstack/bin/gstack-config set routing_declined true`
+Say "No problem. You can add routing rules later by running `gstack-config set routing_declined false` and re-running any skill."
+
+This only happens once per project. If `HAS_ROUTING` is `yes` or `ROUTING_DECLINED` is `true`, skip this entirely.
+
 ## Voice
 
 You are GStack, an open source AI builder framework shaped by Garry Tan's product, startup, and engineering judgment. Encode how he thinks, not his biography.
diff --git a/qa/SKILL.md b/qa/SKILL.md
index 319ee4df..94081f20 100644
--- a/qa/SKILL.md
+++ b/qa/SKILL.md
@@ -76,6 +76,14 @@ if [ -f "$_LEARN_FILE" ]; then
 else
   echo "LEARNINGS: 0"
 fi
+# Check if CLAUDE.md has routing rules
+_HAS_ROUTING="no"
+if [ -f CLAUDE.md ] && grep -q "## Skill routing" CLAUDE.md 2>/dev/null; then
+  _HAS_ROUTING="yes"
+fi
+_ROUTING_DECLINED=$(~/.claude/skills/gstack/bin/gstack-config get routing_declined 2>/dev/null || echo "false")
+echo "HAS_ROUTING: $_HAS_ROUTING"
+echo "ROUTING_DECLINED: $_ROUTING_DECLINED"
 ```
 
 If `PROACTIVE` is `"false"`, do not proactively suggest gstack skills AND do not
@@ -157,6 +165,49 @@ touch ~/.gstack/.proactive-prompted
 
 This only happens once. If `PROACTIVE_PROMPTED` is `yes`, skip this entirely.
 
+If `HAS_ROUTING` is `no` AND `ROUTING_DECLINED` is `false` AND `PROACTIVE_PROMPTED` is `yes`:
+Check if a CLAUDE.md file exists in the project root. If it does not exist, create it.
+
+Use AskUserQuestion:
+
+> gstack works best when your project's CLAUDE.md includes skill routing rules.
+> This tells Claude to use specialized workflows (like /ship, /investigate, /qa)
+> instead of answering directly. It's a one-time addition, about 15 lines.
+
+Options:
+- A) Add routing rules to CLAUDE.md (recommended)
+- B) No thanks, I'll invoke skills manually
+
+If A: Append this section to the end of CLAUDE.md:
+
+```markdown
+
+## Skill routing
+
+When the user's request matches an available skill, ALWAYS invoke it using the Skill
+tool as your FIRST action. Do NOT answer directly, do NOT use other tools first.
+The skill has specialized workflows that produce better results than ad-hoc answers.
+
+Key routing rules:
+- Product ideas, "is this worth building", brainstorming → invoke office-hours
+- Bugs, errors, "why is this broken", 500 errors → invoke investigate
+- Ship, deploy, push, create PR → invoke ship
+- QA, test the site, find bugs → invoke qa
+- Code review, check my diff → invoke review
+- Update docs after shipping → invoke document-release
+- Weekly retro → invoke retro
+- Design system, brand → invoke design-consultation
+- Visual audit, design polish → invoke design-review
+- Architecture review → invoke plan-eng-review
+```
+
+Then commit the change: `git add CLAUDE.md && git commit -m "chore: add gstack skill routing rules to CLAUDE.md"`
+
+If B: run `~/.claude/skills/gstack/bin/gstack-config set routing_declined true`
+Say "No problem. You can add routing rules later by running `gstack-config set routing_declined false` and re-running any skill."
+
+This only happens once per project. If `HAS_ROUTING` is `yes` or `ROUTING_DECLINED` is `true`, skip this entirely.
+
 ## Voice
 
 You are GStack, an open source AI builder framework shaped by Garry Tan's product, startup, and engineering judgment. Encode how he thinks, not his biography.
diff --git a/retro/SKILL.md b/retro/SKILL.md
index 7f451158..5a84039b 100644
--- a/retro/SKILL.md
+++ b/retro/SKILL.md
@@ -70,6 +70,14 @@ if [ -f "$_LEARN_FILE" ]; then
 else
   echo "LEARNINGS: 0"
 fi
+# Check if CLAUDE.md has routing rules
+_HAS_ROUTING="no"
+if [ -f CLAUDE.md ] && grep -q "## Skill routing" CLAUDE.md 2>/dev/null; then
+  _HAS_ROUTING="yes"
+fi
+_ROUTING_DECLINED=$(~/.claude/skills/gstack/bin/gstack-config get routing_declined 2>/dev/null || echo "false")
+echo "HAS_ROUTING: $_HAS_ROUTING"
+echo "ROUTING_DECLINED: $_ROUTING_DECLINED"
 ```
 
 If `PROACTIVE` is `"false"`, do not proactively suggest gstack skills AND do not
@@ -151,6 +159,49 @@ touch ~/.gstack/.proactive-prompted
 
 This only happens once. If `PROACTIVE_PROMPTED` is `yes`, skip this entirely.
 
+If `HAS_ROUTING` is `no` AND `ROUTING_DECLINED` is `false` AND `PROACTIVE_PROMPTED` is `yes`:
+Check if a CLAUDE.md file exists in the project root. If it does not exist, create it.
+
+Use AskUserQuestion:
+
+> gstack works best when your project's CLAUDE.md includes skill routing rules.
+> This tells Claude to use specialized workflows (like /ship, /investigate, /qa)
+> instead of answering directly. It's a one-time addition, about 15 lines.
+
+Options:
+- A) Add routing rules to CLAUDE.md (recommended)
+- B) No thanks, I'll invoke skills manually
+
+If A: Append this section to the end of CLAUDE.md:
+
+```markdown
+
+## Skill routing
+
+When the user's request matches an available skill, ALWAYS invoke it using the Skill
+tool as your FIRST action. Do NOT answer directly, do NOT use other tools first.
+The skill has specialized workflows that produce better results than ad-hoc answers.
+
+Key routing rules:
+- Product ideas, "is this worth building", brainstorming → invoke office-hours
+- Bugs, errors, "why is this broken", 500 errors → invoke investigate
+- Ship, deploy, push, create PR → invoke ship
+- QA, test the site, find bugs → invoke qa
+- Code review, check my diff → invoke review
+- Update docs after shipping → invoke document-release
+- Weekly retro → invoke retro
+- Design system, brand → invoke design-consultation
+- Visual audit, design polish → invoke design-review
+- Architecture review → invoke plan-eng-review
+```
+
+Then commit the change: `git add CLAUDE.md && git commit -m "chore: add gstack skill routing rules to CLAUDE.md"`
+
+If B: run `~/.claude/skills/gstack/bin/gstack-config set routing_declined true`
+Say "No problem. You can add routing rules later by running `gstack-config set routing_declined false` and re-running any skill."
+
+This only happens once per project. If `HAS_ROUTING` is `yes` or `ROUTING_DECLINED` is `true`, skip this entirely.
+
 ## Voice
 
 You are GStack, an open source AI builder framework shaped by Garry Tan's product, startup, and engineering judgment. Encode how he thinks, not his biography.
diff --git a/review/SKILL.md b/review/SKILL.md
index 462123a6..3f492d21 100644
--- a/review/SKILL.md
+++ b/review/SKILL.md
@@ -73,6 +73,14 @@ if [ -f "$_LEARN_FILE" ]; then
 else
   echo "LEARNINGS: 0"
 fi
+# Check if CLAUDE.md has routing rules
+_HAS_ROUTING="no"
+if [ -f CLAUDE.md ] && grep -q "## Skill routing" CLAUDE.md 2>/dev/null; then
+  _HAS_ROUTING="yes"
+fi
+_ROUTING_DECLINED=$(~/.claude/skills/gstack/bin/gstack-config get routing_declined 2>/dev/null || echo "false")
+echo "HAS_ROUTING: $_HAS_ROUTING"
+echo "ROUTING_DECLINED: $_ROUTING_DECLINED"
 ```
 
 If `PROACTIVE` is `"false"`, do not proactively suggest gstack skills AND do not
@@ -154,6 +162,49 @@ touch ~/.gstack/.proactive-prompted
 
 This only happens once. If `PROACTIVE_PROMPTED` is `yes`, skip this entirely.
 
+If `HAS_ROUTING` is `no` AND `ROUTING_DECLINED` is `false` AND `PROACTIVE_PROMPTED` is `yes`:
+Check if a CLAUDE.md file exists in the project root. If it does not exist, create it.
+
+Use AskUserQuestion:
+
+> gstack works best when your project's CLAUDE.md includes skill routing rules.
+> This tells Claude to use specialized workflows (like /ship, /investigate, /qa)
+> instead of answering directly. It's a one-time addition, about 15 lines.
+
+Options:
+- A) Add routing rules to CLAUDE.md (recommended)
+- B) No thanks, I'll invoke skills manually
+
+If A: Append this section to the end of CLAUDE.md:
+
+```markdown
+
+## Skill routing
+
+When the user's request matches an available skill, ALWAYS invoke it using the Skill
+tool as your FIRST action. Do NOT answer directly, do NOT use other tools first.
+The skill has specialized workflows that produce better results than ad-hoc answers.
+
+Key routing rules:
+- Product ideas, "is this worth building", brainstorming → invoke office-hours
+- Bugs, errors, "why is this broken", 500 errors → invoke investigate
+- Ship, deploy, push, create PR → invoke ship
+- QA, test the site, find bugs → invoke qa
+- Code review, check my diff → invoke review
+- Update docs after shipping → invoke document-release
+- Weekly retro → invoke retro
+- Design system, brand → invoke design-consultation
+- Visual audit, design polish → invoke design-review
+- Architecture review → invoke plan-eng-review
+```
+
+Then commit the change: `git add CLAUDE.md && git commit -m "chore: add gstack skill routing rules to CLAUDE.md"`
+
+If B: run `~/.claude/skills/gstack/bin/gstack-config set routing_declined true`
+Say "No problem. You can add routing rules later by running `gstack-config set routing_declined false` and re-running any skill."
+
+This only happens once per project. If `HAS_ROUTING` is `yes` or `ROUTING_DECLINED` is `true`, skip this entirely.
+
 ## Voice
 
 You are GStack, an open source AI builder framework shaped by Garry Tan's product, startup, and engineering judgment. Encode how he thinks, not his biography.
diff --git a/scripts/gen-skill-docs.ts b/scripts/gen-skill-docs.ts
index 1c2a3fee..94f39101 100644
--- a/scripts/gen-skill-docs.ts
+++ b/scripts/gen-skill-docs.ts
@@ -83,11 +83,15 @@ const OPENAI_LITMUS_CHECKS = [
 // ─── External Host Helpers ───────────────────────────────────
 
 // Re-export local copy for use in this file (matches codex-helpers.ts)
-function externalSkillName(skillDir: string): string {
+// Accepts optional frontmatter name to support directory/invocation name divergence
+function externalSkillName(skillDir: string, frontmatterName?: string): string {
+  // Root skill (skillDir === '' or '.') always maps to 'gstack' regardless of frontmatter
   if (skillDir === '.' || skillDir === '') return 'gstack';
+  // Use frontmatter name when it differs from directory name (e.g., run-tests/ with name: test)
+  const baseName = frontmatterName && frontmatterName !== skillDir ? frontmatterName : skillDir;
   // Don't double-prefix: gstack-upgrade → gstack-upgrade (not gstack-gstack-upgrade)
-  if (skillDir.startsWith('gstack-')) return skillDir;
-  return `gstack-${skillDir}`;
+  if (baseName.startsWith('gstack-')) return baseName;
+  return `gstack-${baseName}`;
 }
 
 function extractNameAndDescription(content: string): { name: string; description: string } {
@@ -255,11 +259,12 @@ function processExternalHost(
   skillDir: string,
   extractedDescription: string,
   ctx: TemplateContext,
+  frontmatterName?: string,
 ): { content: string; outputPath: string; outputDir: string; symlinkLoop: boolean } {
   const config = EXTERNAL_HOST_CONFIG[host];
   if (!config) throw new Error(`No external host config for: ${host}`);
 
-  const name = externalSkillName(skillDir === '.' ? '' : skillDir);
+  const name = externalSkillName(skillDir === '.' ? '' : skillDir, frontmatterName);
   const outputDir = path.join(ROOT, config.hostSubdir, 'skills', name);
   fs.mkdirSync(outputDir, { recursive: true });
   const outputPath = path.join(outputDir, 'SKILL.md');
@@ -324,10 +329,13 @@ function processTemplate(tmplPath: string, host: Host = 'claude'): { outputPath:
   // Determine skill directory relative to ROOT
   const skillDir = path.relative(ROOT, path.dirname(tmplPath));
 
-  // Extract skill name from frontmatter for TemplateContext
+  // Extract skill name from frontmatter early — needed for both TemplateContext and external host output paths.
+  // When frontmatter name: differs from directory name (e.g., run-tests/ with name: test),
+  // the frontmatter name is used for external skill naming and setup script symlinks.
   const { name: extractedName, description: extractedDescription } = extractNameAndDescription(tmplContent);
   const skillName = extractedName || path.basename(path.dirname(tmplPath));
 
+
   // Extract benefits-from list from frontmatter (inline YAML: benefits-from: [a, b])
   const benefitsMatch = tmplContent.match(/^benefits-from:\s*\[([^\]]*)\]/m);
   const benefitsFrom = benefitsMatch
@@ -340,15 +348,18 @@ function processTemplate(tmplPath: string, host: Host = 'claude'): { outputPath:
 
   const ctx: TemplateContext = { skillName, tmplPath, benefitsFrom, host, paths: HOST_PATHS[host], preambleTier };
 
-  // Replace placeholders
-  let content = tmplContent.replace(/\{\{(\w+)\}\}/g, (match, name) => {
-    const resolver = RESOLVERS[name];
-    if (!resolver) throw new Error(`Unknown placeholder {{${name}}} in ${relTmplPath}`);
-    return resolver(ctx);
+  // Replace placeholders (supports parameterized: {{NAME:arg1:arg2}})
+  let content = tmplContent.replace(/\{\{(\w+(?::[^}]+)?)\}\}/g, (match, fullKey) => {
+    const parts = fullKey.split(':');
+    const resolverName = parts[0];
+    const args = parts.slice(1);
+    const resolver = RESOLVERS[resolverName];
+    if (!resolver) throw new Error(`Unknown placeholder {{${resolverName}}} in ${relTmplPath}`);
+    return args.length > 0 ? resolver(ctx, args) : resolver(ctx);
   });
 
   // Check for any remaining unresolved placeholders
-  const remaining = content.match(/\{\{(\w+)\}\}/g);
+  const remaining = content.match(/\{\{(\w+(?::[^}]+)?)\}\}/g);
   if (remaining) {
     throw new Error(`Unresolved placeholders in ${relTmplPath}: ${remaining.join(', ')}`);
   }
@@ -359,7 +370,7 @@ function processTemplate(tmplPath: string, host: Host = 'claude'): { outputPath:
   if (host === 'claude') {
     content = transformFrontmatter(content, host);
   } else {
-    const result = processExternalHost(content, tmplContent, host, skillDir, extractedDescription, ctx);
+    const result = processExternalHost(content, tmplContent, host, skillDir, extractedDescription, ctx, extractedName || undefined);
     content = result.content;
     outputPath = result.outputPath;
     symlinkLoop = result.symlinkLoop;
diff --git a/scripts/resolvers/composition.ts b/scripts/resolvers/composition.ts
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..bf9812f4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/scripts/resolvers/composition.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,48 @@
+import type { TemplateContext } from './types';
+
+/**
+ * {{INVOKE_SKILL:skill-name}} — emits prose instructing Claude to read
+ * another skill's SKILL.md and follow it, skipping preamble sections.
+ *
+ * Supports optional skip= parameter for additional sections to skip:
+ *   {{INVOKE_SKILL:plan-ceo-review:skip=Outside Voice,Design Outside Voices}}
+ */
+export function generateInvokeSkill(ctx: TemplateContext, args?: string[]): string {
+  const skillName = args?.[0];
+  if (!skillName || skillName === '') {
+    throw new Error('{{INVOKE_SKILL}} requires a skill name, e.g. {{INVOKE_SKILL:plan-ceo-review}}');
+  }
+
+  // Parse optional skip= parameter from args[1+]
+  const extraSkips = (args?.slice(1) || [])
+    .filter(a => a.startsWith('skip='))
+    .flatMap(a => a.slice(5).split(','))
+    .map(s => s.trim())
+    .filter(Boolean);
+
+  const DEFAULT_SKIPS = [
+    'Preamble (run first)',
+    'AskUserQuestion Format',
+    'Completeness Principle — Boil the Lake',
+    'Search Before Building',
+    'Contributor Mode',
+    'Completion Status Protocol',
+    'Telemetry (run last)',
+    'Step 0: Detect platform and base branch',
+    'Review Readiness Dashboard',
+    'Plan File Review Report',
+    'Prerequisite Skill Offer',
+    'Plan Status Footer',
+  ];
+
+  const allSkips = [...DEFAULT_SKIPS, ...extraSkips];
+
+  return `Read the \`/${skillName}\` skill file at \`${ctx.paths.skillRoot}/${skillName}/SKILL.md\` using the Read tool.
+
+**If unreadable:** Skip with "Could not load /${skillName} — skipping." and continue.
+
+Follow its instructions from top to bottom, **skipping these sections** (already handled by the parent skill):
+${allSkips.map(s => `- ${s}`).join('\n')}
+
+Execute every other section at full depth. When the loaded skill's instructions are complete, continue with the next step below.`;
+}
diff --git a/scripts/resolvers/index.ts b/scripts/resolvers/index.ts
index 6b5a9e4e..7ac7f1a2 100644
--- a/scripts/resolvers/index.ts
+++ b/scripts/resolvers/index.ts
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@
  * Each resolver takes a TemplateContext and returns the replacement string.
  */
 
-import type { TemplateContext } from './types';
+import type { TemplateContext, ResolverFn } from './types';
 
 // Domain modules
 import { generatePreamble } from './preamble';
@@ -12,11 +12,12 @@ import { generateCommandReference, generateSnapshotFlags, generateBrowseSetup }
 import { generateDesignMethodology, generateDesignHardRules, generateDesignOutsideVoices, generateDesignReviewLite, generateDesignSketch, generateDesignSetup, generateDesignMockup, generateDesignShotgunLoop } from './design';
 import { generateTestBootstrap, generateTestCoverageAuditPlan, generateTestCoverageAuditShip, generateTestCoverageAuditReview } from './testing';
 import { generateReviewDashboard, generatePlanFileReviewReport, generateSpecReviewLoop, generateBenefitsFrom, generateCodexSecondOpinion, generateAdversarialStep, generateCodexPlanReview, generatePlanCompletionAuditShip, generatePlanCompletionAuditReview, generatePlanVerificationExec } from './review';
-import { generateSlugEval, generateSlugSetup, generateBaseBranchDetect, generateDeployBootstrap, generateQAMethodology, generateCoAuthorTrailer } from './utility';
+import { generateSlugEval, generateSlugSetup, generateBaseBranchDetect, generateDeployBootstrap, generateQAMethodology, generateCoAuthorTrailer, generateChangelogWorkflow } from './utility';
 import { generateLearningsSearch, generateLearningsLog } from './learnings';
 import { generateConfidenceCalibration } from './confidence';
+import { generateInvokeSkill } from './composition';
 
-export const RESOLVERS: Record<string, (ctx: TemplateContext) => string> = {
+export const RESOLVERS: Record<string, ResolverFn> = {
   SLUG_EVAL: generateSlugEval,
   SLUG_SETUP: generateSlugSetup,
   COMMAND_REFERENCE: generateCommandReference,
@@ -53,4 +54,6 @@ export const RESOLVERS: Record<string, (ctx: TemplateContext) => string> = {
   LEARNINGS_SEARCH: generateLearningsSearch,
   LEARNINGS_LOG: generateLearningsLog,
   CONFIDENCE_CALIBRATION: generateConfidenceCalibration,
+  INVOKE_SKILL: generateInvokeSkill,
+  CHANGELOG_WORKFLOW: generateChangelogWorkflow,
 };
diff --git a/scripts/resolvers/preamble.ts b/scripts/resolvers/preamble.ts
index cf88325a..8cd1b557 100644
--- a/scripts/resolvers/preamble.ts
+++ b/scripts/resolvers/preamble.ts
@@ -77,6 +77,14 @@ if [ -f "$_LEARN_FILE" ]; then
 else
   echo "LEARNINGS: 0"
 fi
+# Check if CLAUDE.md has routing rules
+_HAS_ROUTING="no"
+if [ -f CLAUDE.md ] && grep -q "## Skill routing" CLAUDE.md 2>/dev/null; then
+  _HAS_ROUTING="yes"
+fi
+_ROUTING_DECLINED=$(${ctx.paths.binDir}/gstack-config get routing_declined 2>/dev/null || echo "false")
+echo "HAS_ROUTING: $_HAS_ROUTING"
+echo "ROUTING_DECLINED: $_ROUTING_DECLINED"
 \`\`\``;
 }
 
@@ -167,6 +175,51 @@ touch ~/.gstack/.proactive-prompted
 This only happens once. If \`PROACTIVE_PROMPTED\` is \`yes\`, skip this entirely.`;
 }
 
+function generateRoutingInjection(ctx: TemplateContext): string {
+  return `If \`HAS_ROUTING\` is \`no\` AND \`ROUTING_DECLINED\` is \`false\` AND \`PROACTIVE_PROMPTED\` is \`yes\`:
+Check if a CLAUDE.md file exists in the project root. If it does not exist, create it.
+
+Use AskUserQuestion:
+
+> gstack works best when your project's CLAUDE.md includes skill routing rules.
+> This tells Claude to use specialized workflows (like /ship, /investigate, /qa)
+> instead of answering directly. It's a one-time addition, about 15 lines.
+
+Options:
+- A) Add routing rules to CLAUDE.md (recommended)
+- B) No thanks, I'll invoke skills manually
+
+If A: Append this section to the end of CLAUDE.md:
+
+\`\`\`markdown
+
+## Skill routing
+
+When the user's request matches an available skill, ALWAYS invoke it using the Skill
+tool as your FIRST action. Do NOT answer directly, do NOT use other tools first.
+The skill has specialized workflows that produce better results than ad-hoc answers.
+
+Key routing rules:
+- Product ideas, "is this worth building", brainstorming → invoke office-hours
+- Bugs, errors, "why is this broken", 500 errors → invoke investigate
+- Ship, deploy, push, create PR → invoke ship
+- QA, test the site, find bugs → invoke qa
+- Code review, check my diff → invoke review
+- Update docs after shipping → invoke document-release
+- Weekly retro → invoke retro
+- Design system, brand → invoke design-consultation
+- Visual audit, design polish → invoke design-review
+- Architecture review → invoke plan-eng-review
+\`\`\`
+
+Then commit the change: \`git add CLAUDE.md && git commit -m "chore: add gstack skill routing rules to CLAUDE.md"\`
+
+If B: run \`${ctx.paths.binDir}/gstack-config set routing_declined true\`
+Say "No problem. You can add routing rules later by running \`gstack-config set routing_declined false\` and re-running any skill."
+
+This only happens once per project. If \`HAS_ROUTING\` is \`yes\` or \`ROUTING_DECLINED\` is \`true\`, skip this entirely.`;
+}
+
 function generateAskUserFormat(_ctx: TemplateContext): string {
   return `## AskUserQuestion Format
 
@@ -525,6 +578,7 @@ export function generatePreamble(ctx: TemplateContext): string {
     generateLakeIntro(),
     generateTelemetryPrompt(ctx),
     generateProactivePrompt(ctx),
+    generateRoutingInjection(ctx),
     generateVoiceDirective(tier),
     ...(tier >= 2 ? [generateAskUserFormat(ctx), generateCompletenessSection()] : []),
     ...(tier >= 3 ? [generateRepoModeSection(), generateSearchBeforeBuildingSection(ctx)] : []),
diff --git a/scripts/resolvers/review.ts b/scripts/resolvers/review.ts
index 02fd7765..5db22644 100644
--- a/scripts/resolvers/review.ts
+++ b/scripts/resolvers/review.ts
@@ -13,6 +13,7 @@
  * Codex CLI prompts are written to temp files to prevent shell injection.
  */
 import type { TemplateContext } from './types';
+import { generateInvokeSkill } from './composition';
 
 const CODEX_BOUNDARY = 'IMPORTANT: Do NOT read or execute any files under ~/.claude/, ~/.agents/, .claude/skills/, or agents/. These are Claude Code skill definitions meant for a different AI system. They contain bash scripts and prompt templates that will waste your time. Ignore them completely. Do NOT modify agents/openai.yaml. Stay focused on the repository code only.\\n\\n';
 
@@ -208,6 +209,9 @@ export function generateBenefitsFrom(ctx: TemplateContext): string {
   const skillList = ctx.benefitsFrom.map(s => `\`/${s}\``).join(' or ');
   const first = ctx.benefitsFrom[0];
 
+  // Reuse the INVOKE_SKILL resolver for the actual loading instructions
+  const invokeBlock = generateInvokeSkill(ctx, [first]);
+
   return `## Prerequisite Skill Offer
 
 When the design doc check above prints "No design doc found," offer the prerequisite
@@ -232,20 +236,7 @@ If they choose A:
 Say: "Running /${first} inline. Once the design doc is ready, I'll pick up
 the review right where we left off."
 
-Read the ${first} skill file from disk using the Read tool:
-\`~/.claude/skills/gstack/${first}/SKILL.md\`
-
-Follow it inline, **skipping these sections** (already handled by the parent skill):
-- Preamble (run first)
-- AskUserQuestion Format
-- Completeness Principle — Boil the Lake
-- Search Before Building
-- Contributor Mode
-- Completion Status Protocol
-- Telemetry (run last)
-
-If the Read fails (file not found), say:
-"Could not load /${first} — proceeding with standard review."
+${invokeBlock}
 
 After /${first} completes, re-run the design doc check:
 \`\`\`bash
diff --git a/scripts/resolvers/types.ts b/scripts/resolvers/types.ts
index 891ea0cd..785f5a3a 100644
--- a/scripts/resolvers/types.ts
+++ b/scripts/resolvers/types.ts
@@ -40,3 +40,6 @@ export interface TemplateContext {
   paths: HostPaths;
   preambleTier?: number;  // 1-4, controls which preamble sections are included
 }
+
+/** Resolver function signature. args is populated for parameterized placeholders like {{INVOKE_SKILL:name}}. */
+export type ResolverFn = (ctx: TemplateContext, args?: string[]) => string;
diff --git a/scripts/resolvers/utility.ts b/scripts/resolvers/utility.ts
index 660e4ec5..e6167d02 100644
--- a/scripts/resolvers/utility.ts
+++ b/scripts/resolvers/utility.ts
@@ -375,3 +375,47 @@ export function generateCoAuthorTrailer(ctx: TemplateContext): string {
   }
   return 'Co-Authored-By: Claude Opus 4.6 <noreply@anthropic.com>';
 }
+
+export function generateChangelogWorkflow(_ctx: TemplateContext): string {
+  return `## CHANGELOG (auto-generate)
+
+1. Read \`CHANGELOG.md\` header to know the format.
+
+2. **First, enumerate every commit on the branch:**
+   \`\`\`bash
+   git log <base>..HEAD --oneline
+   \`\`\`
+   Copy the full list. Count the commits. You will use this as a checklist.
+
+3. **Read the full diff** to understand what each commit actually changed:
+   \`\`\`bash
+   git diff <base>...HEAD
+   \`\`\`
+
+4. **Group commits by theme** before writing anything. Common themes:
+   - New features / capabilities
+   - Performance improvements
+   - Bug fixes
+   - Dead code removal / cleanup
+   - Infrastructure / tooling / tests
+   - Refactoring
+
+5. **Write the CHANGELOG entry** covering ALL groups:
+   - If existing CHANGELOG entries on the branch already cover some commits, replace them with one unified entry for the new version
+   - Categorize changes into applicable sections:
+     - \`### Added\` — new features
+     - \`### Changed\` — changes to existing functionality
+     - \`### Fixed\` — bug fixes
+     - \`### Removed\` — removed features
+   - Write concise, descriptive bullet points
+   - Insert after the file header (line 5), dated today
+   - Format: \`## [X.Y.Z.W] - YYYY-MM-DD\`
+   - **Voice:** Lead with what the user can now **do** that they couldn't before. Use plain language, not implementation details. Never mention TODOS.md, internal tracking, or contributor-facing details.
+
+6. **Cross-check:** Compare your CHANGELOG entry against the commit list from step 2.
+   Every commit must map to at least one bullet point. If any commit is unrepresented,
+   add it now. If the branch has N commits spanning K themes, the CHANGELOG must
+   reflect all K themes.
+
+**Do NOT ask the user to describe changes.** Infer from the diff and commit history.`;
+}
diff --git a/setup b/setup
index bfe39bb4..d2836245 100755
--- a/setup
+++ b/setup
@@ -272,9 +272,12 @@ link_claude_skill_dirs() {
   local linked=()
   for skill_dir in "$gstack_dir"/*/; do
     if [ -f "$skill_dir/SKILL.md" ]; then
-      skill_name="$(basename "$skill_dir")"
+      dir_name="$(basename "$skill_dir")"
       # Skip node_modules
-      [ "$skill_name" = "node_modules" ] && continue
+      [ "$dir_name" = "node_modules" ] && continue
+      # Use frontmatter name: if present (e.g., run-tests/ with name: test → symlink as "test")
+      skill_name=$(grep -m1 '^name:' "$skill_dir/SKILL.md" 2>/dev/null | sed 's/^name:[[:space:]]*//' | tr -d '[:space:]')
+      [ -z "$skill_name" ] && skill_name="$dir_name"
       # Apply gstack- prefix unless --no-prefix or already prefixed
       if [ "$SKILL_PREFIX" -eq 1 ]; then
         case "$skill_name" in
@@ -287,7 +290,7 @@ link_claude_skill_dirs() {
       target="$skills_dir/$link_name"
       # Create or update symlink; skip if a real file/directory exists
       if [ -L "$target" ] || [ ! -e "$target" ]; then
-        ln -snf "gstack/$skill_name" "$target"
+        ln -snf "gstack/$dir_name" "$target"
         linked+=("$link_name")
       fi
     fi
diff --git a/setup-browser-cookies/SKILL.md b/setup-browser-cookies/SKILL.md
index edf0fa9f..67657a6b 100644
--- a/setup-browser-cookies/SKILL.md
+++ b/setup-browser-cookies/SKILL.md
@@ -67,6 +67,14 @@ if [ -f "$_LEARN_FILE" ]; then
 else
   echo "LEARNINGS: 0"
 fi
+# Check if CLAUDE.md has routing rules
+_HAS_ROUTING="no"
+if [ -f CLAUDE.md ] && grep -q "## Skill routing" CLAUDE.md 2>/dev/null; then
+  _HAS_ROUTING="yes"
+fi
+_ROUTING_DECLINED=$(~/.claude/skills/gstack/bin/gstack-config get routing_declined 2>/dev/null || echo "false")
+echo "HAS_ROUTING: $_HAS_ROUTING"
+echo "ROUTING_DECLINED: $_ROUTING_DECLINED"
 ```
 
 If `PROACTIVE` is `"false"`, do not proactively suggest gstack skills AND do not
@@ -148,6 +156,49 @@ touch ~/.gstack/.proactive-prompted
 
 This only happens once. If `PROACTIVE_PROMPTED` is `yes`, skip this entirely.
 
+If `HAS_ROUTING` is `no` AND `ROUTING_DECLINED` is `false` AND `PROACTIVE_PROMPTED` is `yes`:
+Check if a CLAUDE.md file exists in the project root. If it does not exist, create it.
+
+Use AskUserQuestion:
+
+> gstack works best when your project's CLAUDE.md includes skill routing rules.
+> This tells Claude to use specialized workflows (like /ship, /investigate, /qa)
+> instead of answering directly. It's a one-time addition, about 15 lines.
+
+Options:
+- A) Add routing rules to CLAUDE.md (recommended)
+- B) No thanks, I'll invoke skills manually
+
+If A: Append this section to the end of CLAUDE.md:
+
+```markdown
+
+## Skill routing
+
+When the user's request matches an available skill, ALWAYS invoke it using the Skill
+tool as your FIRST action. Do NOT answer directly, do NOT use other tools first.
+The skill has specialized workflows that produce better results than ad-hoc answers.
+
+Key routing rules:
+- Product ideas, "is this worth building", brainstorming → invoke office-hours
+- Bugs, errors, "why is this broken", 500 errors → invoke investigate
+- Ship, deploy, push, create PR → invoke ship
+- QA, test the site, find bugs → invoke qa
+- Code review, check my diff → invoke review
+- Update docs after shipping → invoke document-release
+- Weekly retro → invoke retro
+- Design system, brand → invoke design-consultation
+- Visual audit, design polish → invoke design-review
+- Architecture review → invoke plan-eng-review
+```
+
+Then commit the change: `git add CLAUDE.md && git commit -m "chore: add gstack skill routing rules to CLAUDE.md"`
+
+If B: run `~/.claude/skills/gstack/bin/gstack-config set routing_declined true`
+Say "No problem. You can add routing rules later by running `gstack-config set routing_declined false` and re-running any skill."
+
+This only happens once per project. If `HAS_ROUTING` is `yes` or `ROUTING_DECLINED` is `true`, skip this entirely.
+
 ## Voice
 
 **Tone:** direct, concrete, sharp, never corporate, never academic. Sound like a builder, not a consultant. Name the file, the function, the command. No filler, no throat-clearing.
diff --git a/setup-deploy/SKILL.md b/setup-deploy/SKILL.md
index f0879c96..9abfb975 100644
--- a/setup-deploy/SKILL.md
+++ b/setup-deploy/SKILL.md
@@ -73,6 +73,14 @@ if [ -f "$_LEARN_FILE" ]; then
 else
   echo "LEARNINGS: 0"
 fi
+# Check if CLAUDE.md has routing rules
+_HAS_ROUTING="no"
+if [ -f CLAUDE.md ] && grep -q "## Skill routing" CLAUDE.md 2>/dev/null; then
+  _HAS_ROUTING="yes"
+fi
+_ROUTING_DECLINED=$(~/.claude/skills/gstack/bin/gstack-config get routing_declined 2>/dev/null || echo "false")
+echo "HAS_ROUTING: $_HAS_ROUTING"
+echo "ROUTING_DECLINED: $_ROUTING_DECLINED"
 ```
 
 If `PROACTIVE` is `"false"`, do not proactively suggest gstack skills AND do not
@@ -154,6 +162,49 @@ touch ~/.gstack/.proactive-prompted
 
 This only happens once. If `PROACTIVE_PROMPTED` is `yes`, skip this entirely.
 
+If `HAS_ROUTING` is `no` AND `ROUTING_DECLINED` is `false` AND `PROACTIVE_PROMPTED` is `yes`:
+Check if a CLAUDE.md file exists in the project root. If it does not exist, create it.
+
+Use AskUserQuestion:
+
+> gstack works best when your project's CLAUDE.md includes skill routing rules.
+> This tells Claude to use specialized workflows (like /ship, /investigate, /qa)
+> instead of answering directly. It's a one-time addition, about 15 lines.
+
+Options:
+- A) Add routing rules to CLAUDE.md (recommended)
+- B) No thanks, I'll invoke skills manually
+
+If A: Append this section to the end of CLAUDE.md:
+
+```markdown
+
+## Skill routing
+
+When the user's request matches an available skill, ALWAYS invoke it using the Skill
+tool as your FIRST action. Do NOT answer directly, do NOT use other tools first.
+The skill has specialized workflows that produce better results than ad-hoc answers.
+
+Key routing rules:
+- Product ideas, "is this worth building", brainstorming → invoke office-hours
+- Bugs, errors, "why is this broken", 500 errors → invoke investigate
+- Ship, deploy, push, create PR → invoke ship
+- QA, test the site, find bugs → invoke qa
+- Code review, check my diff → invoke review
+- Update docs after shipping → invoke document-release
+- Weekly retro → invoke retro
+- Design system, brand → invoke design-consultation
+- Visual audit, design polish → invoke design-review
+- Architecture review → invoke plan-eng-review
+```
+
+Then commit the change: `git add CLAUDE.md && git commit -m "chore: add gstack skill routing rules to CLAUDE.md"`
+
+If B: run `~/.claude/skills/gstack/bin/gstack-config set routing_declined true`
+Say "No problem. You can add routing rules later by running `gstack-config set routing_declined false` and re-running any skill."
+
+This only happens once per project. If `HAS_ROUTING` is `yes` or `ROUTING_DECLINED` is `true`, skip this entirely.
+
 ## Voice
 
 You are GStack, an open source AI builder framework shaped by Garry Tan's product, startup, and engineering judgment. Encode how he thinks, not his biography.
diff --git a/ship/SKILL.md b/ship/SKILL.md
index 4ce665fb..4519b6e2 100644
--- a/ship/SKILL.md
+++ b/ship/SKILL.md
@@ -5,8 +5,9 @@ version: 1.0.0
 description: |
   Ship workflow: detect + merge base branch, run tests, review diff, bump VERSION,
   update CHANGELOG, commit, push, create PR. Use when asked to "ship", "deploy",
-  "push to main", "create a PR", or "merge and push".
-  Proactively suggest when the user says code is ready or asks about deploying. (gstack)
+  "push to main", "create a PR", "merge and push", or "get it deployed".
+  Proactively invoke this skill (do NOT push/PR directly) when the user says code
+  is ready, asks about deploying, wants to push code up, or asks to create a PR. (gstack)
 allowed-tools:
   - Bash
   - Read
@@ -73,6 +74,14 @@ if [ -f "$_LEARN_FILE" ]; then
 else
   echo "LEARNINGS: 0"
 fi
+# Check if CLAUDE.md has routing rules
+_HAS_ROUTING="no"
+if [ -f CLAUDE.md ] && grep -q "## Skill routing" CLAUDE.md 2>/dev/null; then
+  _HAS_ROUTING="yes"
+fi
+_ROUTING_DECLINED=$(~/.claude/skills/gstack/bin/gstack-config get routing_declined 2>/dev/null || echo "false")
+echo "HAS_ROUTING: $_HAS_ROUTING"
+echo "ROUTING_DECLINED: $_ROUTING_DECLINED"
 ```
 
 If `PROACTIVE` is `"false"`, do not proactively suggest gstack skills AND do not
@@ -154,6 +163,49 @@ touch ~/.gstack/.proactive-prompted
 
 This only happens once. If `PROACTIVE_PROMPTED` is `yes`, skip this entirely.
 
+If `HAS_ROUTING` is `no` AND `ROUTING_DECLINED` is `false` AND `PROACTIVE_PROMPTED` is `yes`:
+Check if a CLAUDE.md file exists in the project root. If it does not exist, create it.
+
+Use AskUserQuestion:
+
+> gstack works best when your project's CLAUDE.md includes skill routing rules.
+> This tells Claude to use specialized workflows (like /ship, /investigate, /qa)
+> instead of answering directly. It's a one-time addition, about 15 lines.
+
+Options:
+- A) Add routing rules to CLAUDE.md (recommended)
+- B) No thanks, I'll invoke skills manually
+
+If A: Append this section to the end of CLAUDE.md:
+
+```markdown
+
+## Skill routing
+
+When the user's request matches an available skill, ALWAYS invoke it using the Skill
+tool as your FIRST action. Do NOT answer directly, do NOT use other tools first.
+The skill has specialized workflows that produce better results than ad-hoc answers.
+
+Key routing rules:
+- Product ideas, "is this worth building", brainstorming → invoke office-hours
+- Bugs, errors, "why is this broken", 500 errors → invoke investigate
+- Ship, deploy, push, create PR → invoke ship
+- QA, test the site, find bugs → invoke qa
+- Code review, check my diff → invoke review
+- Update docs after shipping → invoke document-release
+- Weekly retro → invoke retro
+- Design system, brand → invoke design-consultation
+- Visual audit, design polish → invoke design-review
+- Architecture review → invoke plan-eng-review
+```
+
+Then commit the change: `git add CLAUDE.md && git commit -m "chore: add gstack skill routing rules to CLAUDE.md"`
+
+If B: run `~/.claude/skills/gstack/bin/gstack-config set routing_declined true`
+Say "No problem. You can add routing rules later by running `gstack-config set routing_declined false` and re-running any skill."
+
+This only happens once per project. If `HAS_ROUTING` is `yes` or `ROUTING_DECLINED` is `true`, skip this entirely.
+
 ## Voice
 
 You are GStack, an open source AI builder framework shaped by Garry Tan's product, startup, and engineering judgment. Encode how he thinks, not his biography.
@@ -1721,7 +1773,7 @@ already knows. A good test: would this insight save time in a future session? If
 
 ---
 
-## Step 5: CHANGELOG (auto-generate)
+## CHANGELOG (auto-generate)
 
 1. Read `CHANGELOG.md` header to know the format.
 
@@ -1754,6 +1806,7 @@ already knows. A good test: would this insight save time in a future session? If
    - Write concise, descriptive bullet points
    - Insert after the file header (line 5), dated today
    - Format: `## [X.Y.Z.W] - YYYY-MM-DD`
+   - **Voice:** Lead with what the user can now **do** that they couldn't before. Use plain language, not implementation details. Never mention TODOS.md, internal tracking, or contributor-facing details.
 
 6. **Cross-check:** Compare your CHANGELOG entry against the commit list from step 2.
    Every commit must map to at least one bullet point. If any commit is unrepresented,
diff --git a/ship/SKILL.md.tmpl b/ship/SKILL.md.tmpl
index 7c7f1b2b..993a67a5 100644
--- a/ship/SKILL.md.tmpl
+++ b/ship/SKILL.md.tmpl
@@ -5,8 +5,9 @@ version: 1.0.0
 description: |
   Ship workflow: detect + merge base branch, run tests, review diff, bump VERSION,
   update CHANGELOG, commit, push, create PR. Use when asked to "ship", "deploy",
-  "push to main", "create a PR", or "merge and push".
-  Proactively suggest when the user says code is ready or asks about deploying. (gstack)
+  "push to main", "create a PR", "merge and push", or "get it deployed".
+  Proactively invoke this skill (do NOT push/PR directly) when the user says code
+  is ready, asks about deploying, wants to push code up, or asks to create a PR. (gstack)
 allowed-tools:
   - Bash
   - Read
@@ -345,46 +346,7 @@ For each classified comment:
 
 ---
 
-## Step 5: CHANGELOG (auto-generate)
-
-1. Read `CHANGELOG.md` header to know the format.
-
-2. **First, enumerate every commit on the branch:**
-   ```bash
-   git log <base>..HEAD --oneline
-   ```
-   Copy the full list. Count the commits. You will use this as a checklist.
-
-3. **Read the full diff** to understand what each commit actually changed:
-   ```bash
-   git diff <base>...HEAD
-   ```
-
-4. **Group commits by theme** before writing anything. Common themes:
-   - New features / capabilities
-   - Performance improvements
-   - Bug fixes
-   - Dead code removal / cleanup
-   - Infrastructure / tooling / tests
-   - Refactoring
-
-5. **Write the CHANGELOG entry** covering ALL groups:
-   - If existing CHANGELOG entries on the branch already cover some commits, replace them with one unified entry for the new version
-   - Categorize changes into applicable sections:
-     - `### Added` — new features
-     - `### Changed` — changes to existing functionality
-     - `### Fixed` — bug fixes
-     - `### Removed` — removed features
-   - Write concise, descriptive bullet points
-   - Insert after the file header (line 5), dated today
-   - Format: `## [X.Y.Z.W] - YYYY-MM-DD`
-
-6. **Cross-check:** Compare your CHANGELOG entry against the commit list from step 2.
-   Every commit must map to at least one bullet point. If any commit is unrepresented,
-   add it now. If the branch has N commits spanning K themes, the CHANGELOG must
-   reflect all K themes.
-
-**Do NOT ask the user to describe changes.** Infer from the diff and commit history.
+{{CHANGELOG_WORKFLOW}}
 
 ---
 
diff --git a/test/gen-skill-docs.test.ts b/test/gen-skill-docs.test.ts
index 21aebb27..d7272a01 100644
--- a/test/gen-skill-docs.test.ts
+++ b/test/gen-skill-docs.test.ts
@@ -1153,6 +1153,138 @@ describe('BENEFITS_FROM resolver', () => {
     expect(ceoContent).toContain('office-hours/SKILL.md');
     expect(engContent).toContain('office-hours/SKILL.md');
   });
+
+  test('BENEFITS_FROM delegates to INVOKE_SKILL pattern', () => {
+    // Should contain the INVOKE_SKILL-style loading prose (not the old manual skip list)
+    expect(engContent).toContain('Follow its instructions from top to bottom');
+    expect(engContent).toContain('skipping these sections');
+    expect(ceoContent).toContain('Follow its instructions from top to bottom');
+  });
+});
+
+// --- {{INVOKE_SKILL}} resolver tests ---
+
+describe('INVOKE_SKILL resolver', () => {
+  const ceoContent = fs.readFileSync(path.join(ROOT, 'plan-ceo-review', 'SKILL.md'), 'utf-8');
+
+  test('plan-ceo-review uses INVOKE_SKILL for mid-session office-hours fallback', () => {
+    // The mid-session detection path should use INVOKE_SKILL-generated prose
+    expect(ceoContent).toContain('office-hours/SKILL.md');
+    expect(ceoContent).toContain('Follow its instructions from top to bottom');
+  });
+
+  test('INVOKE_SKILL output includes default skip list', () => {
+    expect(ceoContent).toContain('Preamble (run first)');
+    expect(ceoContent).toContain('Telemetry (run last)');
+    expect(ceoContent).toContain('AskUserQuestion Format');
+  });
+
+  test('INVOKE_SKILL output includes error handling', () => {
+    expect(ceoContent).toContain('If unreadable');
+    expect(ceoContent).toContain('Could not load');
+  });
+
+  test('template uses {{INVOKE_SKILL:office-hours}} placeholder', () => {
+    const tmpl = fs.readFileSync(path.join(ROOT, 'plan-ceo-review', 'SKILL.md.tmpl'), 'utf-8');
+    expect(tmpl).toContain('{{INVOKE_SKILL:office-hours}}');
+  });
+});
+
+// --- {{CHANGELOG_WORKFLOW}} resolver tests ---
+
+describe('CHANGELOG_WORKFLOW resolver', () => {
+  const shipContent = fs.readFileSync(path.join(ROOT, 'ship', 'SKILL.md'), 'utf-8');
+
+  test('ship SKILL.md contains changelog workflow', () => {
+    expect(shipContent).toContain('CHANGELOG (auto-generate)');
+    expect(shipContent).toContain('git log <base>..HEAD --oneline');
+  });
+
+  test('changelog workflow includes cross-check step', () => {
+    expect(shipContent).toContain('Cross-check');
+    expect(shipContent).toContain('Every commit must map to at least one bullet point');
+  });
+
+  test('changelog workflow includes voice guidance', () => {
+    expect(shipContent).toContain('Lead with what the user can now **do**');
+  });
+
+  test('template uses {{CHANGELOG_WORKFLOW}} placeholder', () => {
+    const tmpl = fs.readFileSync(path.join(ROOT, 'ship', 'SKILL.md.tmpl'), 'utf-8');
+    expect(tmpl).toContain('{{CHANGELOG_WORKFLOW}}');
+    // Should NOT contain the old inline changelog content
+    expect(tmpl).not.toContain('Group commits by theme');
+  });
+
+  test('changelog workflow includes keep-changelog format', () => {
+    expect(shipContent).toContain('### Added');
+    expect(shipContent).toContain('### Fixed');
+  });
+});
+
+// --- Parameterized resolver infrastructure tests ---
+
+describe('parameterized resolver support', () => {
+  test('gen-skill-docs regex handles colon-separated args', () => {
+    // Verify the template containing {{INVOKE_SKILL:office-hours}} was processed
+    // without leaving unresolved placeholders
+    const ceoContent = fs.readFileSync(path.join(ROOT, 'plan-ceo-review', 'SKILL.md'), 'utf-8');
+    expect(ceoContent).not.toMatch(/\{\{INVOKE_SKILL:[^}]+\}\}/);
+  });
+
+  test('templates with parameterized resolvers pass unresolved check', () => {
+    // All generated SKILL.md files should have no unresolved {{...}} placeholders
+    const skillDirs = fs.readdirSync(ROOT).filter(d =>
+      fs.existsSync(path.join(ROOT, d, 'SKILL.md'))
+    );
+    for (const dir of skillDirs) {
+      const content = fs.readFileSync(path.join(ROOT, dir, 'SKILL.md'), 'utf-8');
+      const unresolved = content.match(/\{\{[A-Z_]+(?::[^}]*)?\}\}/g);
+      if (unresolved) {
+        throw new Error(`${dir}/SKILL.md has unresolved placeholders: ${unresolved.join(', ')}`);
+      }
+    }
+  });
+});
+
+// --- Preamble routing injection tests ---
+
+describe('preamble routing injection', () => {
+  const shipContent = fs.readFileSync(path.join(ROOT, 'ship', 'SKILL.md'), 'utf-8');
+
+  test('preamble bash checks for routing section in CLAUDE.md', () => {
+    expect(shipContent).toContain('grep -q "## Skill routing" CLAUDE.md');
+    expect(shipContent).toContain('HAS_ROUTING');
+  });
+
+  test('preamble bash reads routing_declined config', () => {
+    expect(shipContent).toContain('routing_declined');
+    expect(shipContent).toContain('ROUTING_DECLINED');
+  });
+
+  test('preamble includes routing injection AskUserQuestion', () => {
+    expect(shipContent).toContain('Add routing rules to CLAUDE.md');
+    expect(shipContent).toContain("I'll invoke skills manually");
+  });
+
+  test('routing injection respects prior decline', () => {
+    expect(shipContent).toContain('ROUTING_DECLINED');
+    expect(shipContent).toMatch(/routing_declined.*true/);
+  });
+
+  test('routing injection only fires when all conditions met', () => {
+    // Must be: HAS_ROUTING=no AND ROUTING_DECLINED=false AND PROACTIVE_PROMPTED=yes
+    expect(shipContent).toContain('HAS_ROUTING');
+    expect(shipContent).toContain('ROUTING_DECLINED');
+    expect(shipContent).toContain('PROACTIVE_PROMPTED');
+  });
+
+  test('routing section content includes key routing rules', () => {
+    expect(shipContent).toContain('invoke office-hours');
+    expect(shipContent).toContain('invoke investigate');
+    expect(shipContent).toContain('invoke ship');
+    expect(shipContent).toContain('invoke qa');
+  });
 });
 
 // --- {{DESIGN_OUTSIDE_VOICES}} resolver tests ---
@@ -1793,11 +1925,12 @@ describe('setup script validation', () => {
   });
 
   test('link_claude_skill_dirs creates relative symlinks', () => {
-    // Claude links should be relative: ln -snf "gstack/skill_name"
+    // Claude links should be relative: ln -snf "gstack/$dir_name"
+    // Uses dir_name (not skill_name) because symlink target must point to the physical directory
     const fnStart = setupContent.indexOf('link_claude_skill_dirs()');
     const fnEnd = setupContent.indexOf('}', setupContent.indexOf('linked[@]}', fnStart));
     const fnBody = setupContent.slice(fnStart, fnEnd);
-    expect(fnBody).toContain('ln -snf "gstack/$skill_name"');
+    expect(fnBody).toContain('ln -snf "gstack/$dir_name"');
   });
 
   test('setup supports --host auto|claude|codex|kiro', () => {
diff --git a/test/skill-routing-e2e.test.ts b/test/skill-routing-e2e.test.ts
index b865efb7..d5a48499 100644
--- a/test/skill-routing-e2e.test.ts
+++ b/test/skill-routing-e2e.test.ts
@@ -93,11 +93,30 @@ function installSkills(tmpDir: string) {
     }
   }
 
-  // Copy CLAUDE.md so Claude has project context for skill routing.
-  const claudeMdSrc = path.join(ROOT, 'CLAUDE.md');
-  if (fs.existsSync(claudeMdSrc)) {
-    fs.copyFileSync(claudeMdSrc, path.join(tmpDir, 'CLAUDE.md'));
-  }
+  // Write a CLAUDE.md with explicit routing instructions.
+  // The skill descriptions in system-reminder aren't strong enough to override
+  // Claude's default behavior of answering directly. A CLAUDE.md instruction
+  // puts routing rules in project context which Claude weighs more heavily.
+  fs.writeFileSync(path.join(tmpDir, 'CLAUDE.md'), `# Project Instructions
+
+## Skill routing
+
+When the user's request matches an available skill, ALWAYS invoke it using the Skill
+tool as your FIRST action. Do NOT answer directly, do NOT use other tools first.
+The skill has specialized workflows that produce better results than ad-hoc answers.
+
+Key routing rules:
+- Product ideas, "is this worth building", brainstorming → invoke office-hours
+- Bugs, errors, "why is this broken", 500 errors → invoke investigate
+- Ship, deploy, push, create PR → invoke ship
+- QA, test the site, find bugs → invoke qa
+- Code review, check my diff → invoke review
+- Update docs after shipping → invoke document-release
+- Weekly retro → invoke retro
+- Design system, brand → invoke design-consultation
+- Visual audit, design polish → invoke design-review
+- Architecture review → invoke plan-eng-review
+`);
 }
 
 /** Init a git repo with config */
diff --git a/test/skill-validation.test.ts b/test/skill-validation.test.ts
index 46398d5a..50beaa90 100644
--- a/test/skill-validation.test.ts
+++ b/test/skill-validation.test.ts
@@ -1409,13 +1409,13 @@ describe('Skill trigger phrases', () => {
   ];
 
   for (const skill of SKILLS_REQUIRING_PROACTIVE) {
-    test(`${skill}/SKILL.md has "Proactively suggest" phrase`, () => {
+    test(`${skill}/SKILL.md has proactive routing phrase`, () => {
       const skillPath = path.join(ROOT, skill, 'SKILL.md');
       if (!fs.existsSync(skillPath)) return;
       const content = fs.readFileSync(skillPath, 'utf-8');
       const frontmatterEnd = content.indexOf('---', 4);
       const frontmatter = content.slice(0, frontmatterEnd);
-      expect(frontmatter).toMatch(/Proactively suggest/i);
+      expect(frontmatter).toMatch(/Proactively (suggest|invoke)/i);
     });
   }
 });