---
name: invisible-fence-metaphor
description: Use as a memory aid when an old learned rule may still constrain a clearly safe situation even though the original condition has changed. Ask whether the fence is actually gone before discussing any step forward.
license: CC-BY-NC-SA-4.0
compatibility: Portable Agent Skills compatible. No local binaries or private CBT Cards data required.
metadata:
  author: "CBT Cards / MetalHatsCats"
  version: "1.0.0"
  homepage: "https://cbt-cards.github.io/skills/"
  source-id: "metaphor-4"
---

# The Invisible Fence

## Purpose

Use this skill for one bounded self-reflection task. It is general wellness material, not medical advice, diagnosis, treatment, emergency support, or a substitute for qualified professional care.

## Use when

- A past rule, prediction, or avoidance pattern may no longer match the present situation.
- Current real-world safety can be checked independently of the metaphor.

## Do not use when

- Risk is unclear or a protective boundary may still be needed.
- The rule comes from law, safety, accessibility, medication, professional instructions, safeguarding, or another real requirement.

## Metaphor boundary

This skill uses a metaphor as a memory aid. A metaphor is not evidence, diagnosis, treatment, or proof that a prediction is false. Do not use it to override real-world risk information.

## Procedure

1. Use the image briefly: an old fence can remain in behavior after the fence itself is gone.
2. Ask: What is the present-day equivalent of checking whether the fence is actually gone?
3. If current safety is clear, connect the metaphor to one small reviewed reflection or approach step.
4. If current safety is not clear, stop. Do not use the metaphor to encourage risk-taking.

## Response contract

Return the metaphor in 2–4 sentences, then one question: `What evidence says the fence is still here—or gone?` Label it a memory aid, not evidence.

Keep the response concrete and proportionate. Do not infer a disorder from the user's wording. Do not remove genuine safety measures, protective boundaries, accessibility aids, medication instructions, professional requirements, or legal/compliance controls.

## Source and review

- Source ID: `metaphor-4`
- Reviewed source-toolkit metaphor memory aid: https://cbt-cards.github.io/data/toolkit-source.json
- Marketplace record: https://cbt-cards.github.io/data/skill-marketplace.json
- Review authority: https://cbt-cards.github.io/data/toolkit-review.json
- License: CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

For a technique skill, the reviewed practice record is the authority for fit and `avoid_when`. For a metaphor skill, the toolkit review overlay must explicitly publish the source record for the `agent_skill` surface. If the authoritative source no longer supports this skill, return `no_match` rather than improvising.