Agent skill
predict
Forecast future states or outcomes based on current data and trends. Use when estimating future values, projecting trajectories, forecasting outcomes, or anticipating system behavior.
Install this agent skill to your Project
npx add-skill https://github.com/majiayu000/claude-skill-registry/tree/main/skills/data/predict
SKILL.md
Intent
Forecast future states or outcomes for a target based on current state, historical patterns, and assumed conditions. This capability consolidates all forecasting tasks (risk, impact, time, etc.) into a single parameterized operation.
Success criteria:
- Prediction for requested target and horizon provided
- Probability or confidence assigned to prediction
- Alternative outcomes considered
- Assumptions explicitly stated
Compatible schemas:
schemas/output_schema.yaml
Inputs
| Parameter | Required | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
target |
Yes | string | What to predict (metric, state, outcome, event) |
horizon |
No | string | Prediction timeframe (e.g., "1 week", "next release", "end of sprint") |
conditions |
No | object | Assumed conditions for prediction |
method |
No | string | Prediction approach (trend, model, heuristic) |
Procedure
-
Define prediction target: Clarify what outcome is being predicted
- Specify the metric, state, or event to forecast
- Establish the prediction horizon
- Note any boundary conditions
-
Gather historical data: Collect relevant past observations
- Identify patterns and trends
- Note data quality and coverage
- Look for relevant precedents
-
Establish conditions: Document assumptions about the future
- Note what must remain constant
- Identify key variables that could change
- Consider external factors
-
Generate prediction: Forecast the most likely outcome
- Apply trend analysis or modeling
- Calculate probability of primary prediction
- Identify alternative outcomes
-
Consider alternatives: Evaluate other possible outcomes
- List plausible alternative scenarios
- Assign rough probabilities to alternatives
- Note what would cause each alternative
-
Ground prediction: Document evidence and reasoning
- Reference data supporting the prediction
- Note the reasoning chain
- Explicitly state all assumptions
Output Contract
Return a structured object:
prediction:
outcome: any # Predicted value, state, or event
probability: number # 0.0-1.0 likelihood of this outcome
horizon: string # When this prediction applies
alternatives:
- outcome: any # Alternative outcome
probability: number # Likelihood
trigger: string # What would cause this
trajectory: # Optional: predicted path to outcome
- timestamp: string
state: any
reasoning: string # Explanation of prediction logic
confidence: 0..1 # Confidence in prediction methodology
evidence_anchors: ["file:line", "data:source"]
assumptions: [] # Critical assumptions
invalidation_conditions: [] # What would invalidate this prediction
Field Definitions
| Field | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|
prediction.outcome |
any | The predicted future state or value |
prediction.probability |
number | Likelihood of primary outcome |
prediction.horizon |
string | Timeframe for prediction |
alternatives |
array | Other possible outcomes with triggers |
trajectory |
array | Path from current to predicted state |
reasoning |
string | Explanation of prediction logic |
invalidation_conditions |
array | What would make prediction invalid |
Examples
Example 1: Predict Sprint Completion
Input:
target: "sprint story completion"
horizon: "end of sprint (5 days)"
conditions:
team_size: 4
no_major_blockers: true
Output:
prediction:
outcome: "7 of 10 stories completed (70%)"
probability: 0.65
horizon: "end of sprint (5 days)"
alternatives:
- outcome: "10 of 10 stories completed (100%)"
probability: 0.15
trigger: "No unexpected blockers, all estimates accurate"
- outcome: "5 of 10 stories completed (50%)"
probability: 0.20
trigger: "Major blocker or team member unavailable"
trajectory:
- timestamp: "Day 2"
state: "3 stories completed"
- timestamp: "Day 4"
state: "5-6 stories completed"
- timestamp: "Day 5"
state: "7 stories completed"
reasoning: "Based on team velocity of 1.5 stories/day and current progress, projecting linear completion. Historical sprints show 70% completion rate."
confidence: 0.7
evidence_anchors:
- "tool:jira:sprint-history"
- "tool:jira:current-burndown"
assumptions:
- "Team velocity remains consistent"
- "Story estimates are accurate"
- "No unplanned work introduced"
invalidation_conditions:
- "Team member becomes unavailable"
- "Critical production incident"
- "Scope change to sprint"
Example 2: Predict System Failure
Input:
target: "disk space exhaustion"
horizon: "next 30 days"
conditions:
growth_rate: "current trend"
Output:
prediction:
outcome: "Disk will reach 95% capacity"
probability: 0.85
horizon: "18-22 days"
alternatives:
- outcome: "Disk reaches 100% (service outage)"
probability: 0.60
trigger: "No cleanup or expansion action taken"
- outcome: "Capacity remains stable"
probability: 0.10
trigger: "Log rotation reduces growth rate"
trajectory:
- timestamp: "Day 7"
state: "85% capacity"
- timestamp: "Day 14"
state: "90% capacity"
- timestamp: "Day 20"
state: "95% capacity"
reasoning: "Current growth rate of 0.5% per day on 80% utilized 500GB disk. Linear projection shows critical threshold in ~20 days."
confidence: 0.8
evidence_anchors:
- "command:df -h /data"
- "tool:monitoring:disk-trend-7d"
assumptions:
- "Growth rate continues at current pace"
- "No bulk data imports or exports"
- "Log retention policy unchanged"
invalidation_conditions:
- "Growth rate changes significantly"
- "Disk expanded or data archived"
- "Application behavior changes"
Verification
- Prediction includes specific outcome and probability
- Horizon is clearly specified
- At least one alternative outcome considered
- Assumptions are explicitly documented
- Evidence supports the prediction reasoning
Verification tools: Read (to verify historical data references)
Safety Constraints
mutation: falserequires_checkpoint: falserequires_approval: falserisk: low
Capability-specific rules:
- Always provide probability, never claim certainty about future
- Document assumptions that could invalidate prediction
- Consider alternative outcomes, especially failure modes
- Do not predict beyond available data horizon without noting extrapolation
- Flag when prediction confidence is too low to be actionable
Composition Patterns
Commonly follows:
measure- Measurements provide basis for predictionsobserve- Current state observations inform predictionsdiscover- Discovered patterns enable predictions
Commonly precedes:
plan- Predictions inform planning decisionscompare- Predicted outcomes can be comparedsimulate- Predictions guide simulation scenarios
Anti-patterns:
- Never use predict for current state (use
measureorobserve) - Avoid predict when historical data is insufficient
Workflow references:
- See
reference/workflow_catalog.yaml#digital_twin_sync_loopfor forecasting in digital twins
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