{
  "schema_version": 2,
  "kind": "shortening-method",
  "format": "agent-skill",
  "id": "core-message",
  "name": "Core message",
  "category": "Writing",
  "summary": "Express the central argument in one short sentence.",
  "use_cases": [
    "Essays",
    "Presentations",
    "Long-form arguments"
  ],
  "word_count": 99,
  "url": "https://sho.rten.it/methods/core-message/",
  "instructions_url": "https://sho.rten.it/methods/core-message/SKILL.md",
  "skill_url": "https://sho.rten.it/methods/core-message/SKILL.md",
  "json_url": "https://sho.rten.it/methods/core-message/llms.txt",
  "plain_text_url": "https://sho.rten.it/methods/core-message/prompt.txt",
  "license": "MIT",
  "sources_url": "https://sho.rten.it/sources/#core-message",
  "skill_name": "core-message",
  "skill_description": "Express the central argument in one short sentence. Use for Essays, Presentations, Long-form arguments.",
  "agents_md_url": "https://sho.rten.it/methods/core-message/AGENTS.md",
  "sources": [
    {
      "title": "Fabric · extract_core_message",
      "url": "https://github.com/danielmiessler/Fabric/blob/b682dad740f24e85ce9a48d23babc6780dd476ac/data/patterns/extract_core_message/system.md",
      "repository": "https://github.com/danielmiessler/Fabric",
      "revision": "b682dad740f24e85ce9a48d23babc6780dd476ac",
      "path": "data/patterns/extract_core_message/system.md",
      "license": "MIT",
      "license_url": "https://github.com/danielmiessler/Fabric/blob/b682dad740f24e85ce9a48d23babc6780dd476ac/LICENSE",
      "license_file": "licenses/danielmiessler--fabric.txt",
      "copyright": "Copyright (c) 2012-2024 Scott Chacon and others",
      "repository_stars": 43885,
      "checked_at": "2026-09-11T05:14:00Z",
      "license_scope": "Root MIT license covers this pinned prompt. No nested license or NOTICE applies.",
      "adaptation": "Retains the single plain sentence and source's final 16-word maximum. Resolves the source's conflicting 15-word/exact versus 16-word/max rules; adds fidelity safeguards."
    }
  ],
  "instructions": "Identify the central message of the supplied text, presentation, or body of work. Distinguish its main argument from anecdotes, supporting evidence, and incidental topics.\n\nReturn one plain sentence of at most 16 words. State the message directly. Do not begin with \"The core message is,\" add a heading, explain your process, or include commentary.\n\nUse the source's own level of certainty. Keep the most important condition if omitting it would change the claim. Do not replace a specific argument with a vague inspirational slogan. When several texts are supplied, express their shared message only when the texts support one.",
  "example": {
    "context": "Central argument of a proposal, reduced to one sentence",
    "before": "The proposal argues that automated triage may save staff time, but only if unclear cases can reach a human and the routing decisions remain open to review. Its example is an ambiguous service request that a classifier should escalate instead of forcing into the nearest category. The proposal does not present measured time savings. It warns that a lower queue count can hide misrouted work, so the aim is useful assistance rather than eliminating human judgment.",
    "after": "Automated triage may save staff time if uncertain cases reach humans and decisions remain reviewable.",
    "must_preserve": [
      "At most 16 words in one plain sentence",
      "Time savings remain tentative",
      "Uncertain cases need a human route",
      "Decisions must remain reviewable",
      "No claim of measured savings"
    ],
    "omitted": [
      "Drops the supporting scenario and queue-count warning while retaining the central claim and both necessary conditions."
    ],
    "kind": "illustrative"
  }
}