Author: Scott Arciszewski (@tob-scott-a)
Overview
A Claude Code skill that draws Tarot cards usingos.urandom() to inject entropy into vague or underspecified planning decisions. When a prompt is sufficiently ambiguous, or the user explicitly invokes fate, this skill shuffles a full 78-card Tarot deck using cryptographic randomness and draws 4 cards (which may appear reversed). Claude then interprets the spread and uses the reading to inform its approach.
When to Use
Vague Prompts
The user’s request is ambiguous and multiple valid approaches exist
Explicit Invocations
“I’m feeling lucky”, “let fate decide”, “dealer’s choice”, “surprise me”, “whatever you think”
Yu-Gi-Oh Energy
“Heart of the cards”, “I believe in the heart of the cards”, “you’ve activated my trap card”, “it’s time to duel”
Nonchalant Delegation
The user expresses indifference about the approach
Redraw Requests
“Try again” or “draw again” when no actual system changes occurred (draw new cards, not re-run same approach)
Tie-Breaking
When you genuinely cannot decide between equally valid approaches
How It Works
The Draw
The script usesos.urandom() for cryptographic randomness:
The Spread
The 4 card positions represent:| Position | Represents | Question It Answers |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Context | What is the situation really about? |
| 2 | The Challenge | What obstacle or tension exists? |
| 3 | The Guidance | What approach should be taken? |
| 4 | The Outcome | Where does this path lead? |
Card Organization
Each of the 78 Tarot cards has its own markdown file:Major Arcana
22 cards - The Fool through The WorldArchetypal forces, major life themes
Wands
14 cards - Ace through KingCreativity, action, will, passion
Cups
14 cards - Ace through KingEmotion, intuition, relationships
Swords
14 cards - Ace through KingIntellect, conflict, truth, clarity
Pentacles
14 cards - Ace through KingMaterial, practical, craft, resources
Quick Start
Run the Drawing Script
file path relative to {baseDir}/Interpret the Spread
Use the interpretation guide at
{baseDir}/references/INTERPRETATION_GUIDE.mdKey rules:- Reversed cards invert or complicate the upright meaning
- Major Arcana cards carry more weight than Minor Arcana
- The spread tells a story across all 4 positions; don’t interpret cards in isolation
- Map abstract meanings to concrete technical decisions
Example Session
When NOT to Use
Error Handling
If the drawing script fails:Script Crashes with Traceback
Script Crashes with Traceback
Report the error to the user and skip the reading. Do not invent cards or simulate a draw — the whole point is real entropy.
Card File Not Found
Card File Not Found
Note the missing file, interpret the card from its name and suit alone, and continue with the reading.
Never Fake Entropy
Never Fake Entropy
If the script cannot run, do not simulate a draw using your own “randomness.” Tell the user the draw failed.
Interpretation Guidelines
Rationalizations to Reject
| Rationalization | Why Wrong |
|---|---|
| ”The cards said to, so I must” | Cards inform direction, they don’t override safety or correctness |
| ”This reading justifies my pre-existing preference” | Be honest if the reading challenges your instinct |
| ”The reversed card means do nothing” | Reversed means a different angle, not inaction |
| ”Major Arcana overrides user requirements” | User requirements always take priority over card readings |
| ”I’ll keep drawing until I get what I want” | One draw per decision point; accept the reading |
Installation
This plugin is designed to add creative entropy to ambiguous planning situations. It should complement, not replace, thoughtful technical decision-making and user requirements gathering.