How to use the Fact Check agent skill: install and run it

What is an agent skill?

An agent skill is a folder that contains instructions (in a file named SKILL.md) that an AI agent loads when a task matches the skill's description. The agent then follows those instructions instead of working from general habits alone.

This skill is named fact-check and is listed in the skills/agent-runtime/fact-check path of the OpenMAIC repository.

What the fact-check skill makes the agent do

The skill works in two modes. The mode is chosen from your request and the current state of the course; you do not have to pick one.

When building a course, the agent reads every finished page after all pages exist and corrects obvious errors before delivery. It does not stop to produce a separate audit report unless a decision from you is needed.

When reviewing existing content, the agent reads the pages, shortlists the claims most likely to be wrong, checks them against your uploaded materials and web searches, and returns a short report. It does not edit the content until you approve the fixes.

• Shortlisted claims include exact numbers, dates, names, laws, standards, formulas, absolute words such as "always" or "only", and contradictions between pages.
• It skips grammar, style and layout. Those are explicitly out of scope.

Install the skill in Claude or your project

Download the ZIP from the skill's page on this directory and unzip it. Then place the folder in one of the locations below, depending on where you want it to apply.

You can also upload the ZIP in the Claude apps under Settings → Capabilities → Skills.

• Personal use: unzip into ~/.claude/skills/
• Single project: unzip into the project's .claude/skills/ folder

Trigger the skill with natural requests

You do not need a special command. The skill loads when your request matches its description, so write the request in plain language. The description also recognises Chinese terms such as 事实性错误, 知识性错误, 专业知识准确性 and 可靠性.

Requests that fit the skill include asking to fact-check a course, verify accuracy, reduce hallucinations, or make a reliable course.

• Fact-check this course and tell me what is wrong.
• Verify the accuracy of the lessons in this deck before I share it.
• Make a reliable course on this topic and check the facts before delivery.
• 请检查这门课程的事实性错误。

What the skill needs to run

The skill depends on OpenMAIC course tools. Those named in the source are list_scenes, read_stage, list_materials, read_material, ask_user, web_search and fetch_url. The web tools are optional for verification, and the skill still works without them, though it then makes fewer factual commitments.

The skill also depends on the stage-design and deep-research skills being available. Combine it with deep-research when current evidence is the main subject of the course.

• Runs scripts: no
• Uses network: yes, for web_search and fetch_url

Safety notes on scripts and network use

The skill does not run scripts. It does use the network, because verification relies on web_search and fetch_url. The agent only fetches a URL you provided or one returned by web_search; it is told never to guess a URL.

The skill also protects your approved inputs. If evidence suggests a user-uploaded source or a settled plan contains an error, the agent asks you before editing the affected content.

• Final legal, medical or safety sign-off still needs an expert. The agent's checks are not a substitute.

Tips for better results

Give the agent your source materials before the check, so it can compare claims against them. Materials you uploaded are checked first.

If you want a narrower review, say which pages or topics to cover. The skill respects a narrower scope if you give one.

When the report lists findings, reply with the option you want, or with finding numbers such as 1, 3 to fix only those.

• Keep the report unchanged by choosing the keep option.
• Without web search, expect the agent to mark uncertain claims rather than verify them.