Summarization

Most summarization requests fail because "summarize this" could mean anything from a one-sentence gist to a multi-page executive summary. This skill makes you stop and ask what kind of summary is actually needed. It breaks down summarization into specific types like key point extraction, abstraction, gisting, and compression, then maps them to different purposes and audiences. The taxonomy is genuinely useful: it distinguishes between reducing information versus translating it for a different context. If you find yourself defaulting to the same summarization approach regardless of whether someone needs a TLDR or an executive summary for decision makers, this gives you a practical framework to match the right technique to the actual need.

skills.sh installs: 719
GitHub stars: 182
last updated: Aug 21, 2026

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Install

$ npx -y skills add jwynia/agent-skills --skill summarization --agent claude-code

Installs into .claude/skills of the current project.

Files

Summarization

Purpose

Create effective summaries by matching summarization type to purpose, audience, and context. "Summarize" can mean many different things—this skill helps identify and execute the right approach.

Core Principle

Summarization is translation, not just reduction. Different purposes require different summary types. Clarify the need before condensing.

Clarifying Questions

Before summarizing, consider:

Purpose: What will this summary be used for?
- Decision-making
- Background information
- Further research
- Quick understanding
- Reference/recall
Audience: Who will read it?
- Technical experts
- General audience
- Decision makers
- Familiar/unfamiliar with topic
Scope: How comprehensive?
- Ultra-brief (single sentence)
- Brief (paragraph)
- Moderate (page)
- Extended (multiple pages)
Emphasis: What aspects are most important?
- Methodology
- Findings/results
- Arguments/claims
- Context/background
- Implications/applications
Format: What structure?
- Narrative text
- Bullet points
- Hierarchical outline
- Visual representation