---
name: same-standard-check
description: Use when a user may be applying a harsher rule to themselves than to another person in genuinely similar circumstances. Compare the two standards and explain any real responsibility difference.
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: "practice-same-standard-check"
---

# Run the Same-Standard Check

## 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

- The comparison person would be in genuinely similar circumstances.
- The question is whether the rule changes mainly because the person being judged is the user.

## Do not use when

- Roles, duties, risks, commitments, or consequences are materially different.
- The comparison would excuse a real responsibility.

## Procedure

1. Write the rule used for the user.
2. Write the rule that would be used for another person in the same role and circumstances.
3. Compare them.
4. If they differ, ask whether a real responsibility explains the difference. Keep justified differences.

## Response contract

Return: Self-rule → Same-situation rule → Difference → Justified by real responsibility? yes/no.

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: `practice-same-standard-check`
- Reviewed CBT Cards practice: https://cbt-cards.github.io/practice/#practice-same-standard-check
- 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.