# Ponytail Debt Ledger (ponytail-debt)

> Collects every shortcut: comment (and older ponytail: ones) in the repo into a one-shot technical debt ledger without changing anything.

- Category: [Refactoring](https://www.myskills.tools/en/categories/refactoring/)
- Source: Community · DietrichGebert
- Repository: https://github.com/DietrichGebert/ponytail/tree/main/skills/ponytail-debt (commit 84740e3)
- SKILL.md: https://github.com/DietrichGebert/ponytail/blob/main/skills/ponytail-debt/SKILL.md
- Install command: `npx skills add DietrichGebert/ponytail --skill ponytail-debt`
- License: MIT
- Compatible with: Claude Code, Codex, Cursor
- Permissions: read-repo ✓, write-files ✓, shell ✓, network ✗
- Status: Scan passed
- A rule scan cannot catch every risk. Read this skill's SKILL.md and check its permissions before installing.

## Core rule

Read and report only; change nothing unless asked to save the ledger to a file.

## Execution Phases

1. **Scan for markers** — Use git grep for shortcut:, ponytail: or a user-named marker word, skipping .git and anything .gitignore excludes.
2. **Build the ledger** — One row per marker, grouped by file, with what was simplified, its ceiling and upgrade trigger; skip non-deferral hits and optionally add owners via git blame.
3. **Flag rot risk** — Tag any marker that names no upgrade path or trigger as no-trigger.
4. **Summarize** — End with the marker count and how many lack a trigger, or report a clean ledger; write PONYTAIL-DEBT.md only if asked.

## Permissions (summarised from SKILL.md)

| Capability | Needed | Details |
|---|---|---|
| File writes | Limited | Writes nothing by default; saves the ledger to a file such as PONYTAIL-DEBT.md only when asked. |
| Command execution | Limited | Only runs git grep to find markers and, optionally, git blame. |
| Network outbound | Not required | No network access is needed. |

## SKILL.md frontmatter (YAML)

```yaml
---
name: ponytail-debt
description: >
  List every `shortcut:` comment (and older `ponytail:` ones) as a debt ledger. One-shot report,
  changes nothing. Use for "ponytail debt", "what did ponytail defer", "list the
  shortcuts", /ponytail-debt.
---
```

Home: https://www.myskills.tools/en/ · URL: https://www.myskills.tools/en/skills/ponytail-debt/