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clause-explainer

Explain a contract clause in plain English — what it means, who it favours, the realistic risk, and what to negotiate. Use when asked what a clause means, to decode legal language, explain a term in a contract, or assess whether a provision is standard or aggressive. Produces a plain-language translation, a who-does-this-favour read, a risk rating, and concrete redline suggestions. Not legal advice; confirm with counsel.

Published by mohitagw15856 ↗mohitagw15856/pm-claude-skills

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clause-explainer

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Use clause-explainer to explain [clause text] for [reader's side and contract type], addressing [specific concern] with a plain-English translation, risk rating, negotiation redlines, and questions for counsel; this is not legal advice.

Required inputs

  • [clause text]
  • [reader's side and contract type]
  • [specific concern]

User-approved starter prompt based on a pinned source version; check current skill requirements before running. Task evidence ↗

SKILL.md

name: clause-explainerdescription: "Explain a contract clause in plain English — what it means, who it favours, the realistic risk, and what to negotiate. Use when asked what a clause means, to decode legal language, explain a term in a contract, or assess whether a provision is standard or aggressive. Produces a plain-language translation, a who-does-this-favour read, a risk rating, and concrete redline suggestions. Not legal advice; confirm with counsel."

Clause Explainer Skill

Most people sign clauses they don't fully understand. This skill translates a single clause into plain English, says who it really protects, rates the risk, and suggests how to push back. Not legal advice — interpretation depends on the full contract and jurisdiction; confirm with a qualified lawyer.

Working from a brief

Given the clause text (or a description), explain it fully anyway. If only a clause type is named, explain the typical version and note it should be checked against the actual wording. Never refuse for missing surrounding context; flag what the rest of the contract could change.

Required Inputs

Ask for (if not already provided):

  • The clause text (paste it) — or the clause type if text isn't available
  • Which side the reader is on (the party signing, the drafter, etc.)
  • Contract type (employment, SaaS, NDA, lease, services) for context
  • Any specific worry (e.g. "is this auto-renewal aggressive?")

Output Format

1. In plain English

What this clause actually does, in 1–3 jargon-free sentences.

2. Who it favours

Which party this protects or burdens, and how. Be direct.

3. Is it standard or aggressive?

Whether this is market-standard, founder/tenant/employee-favourable, or unusually one-sided — with what "normal" looks like for this clause type.

4. Risk for you

🟢 Low / 🟡 Medium / 🔴 High — and the specific scenario where it would bite.

5. What to negotiate

Concrete redline suggestions: the change to ask for, with example wording where useful (e.g. "cap liability at fees paid in the prior 12 months", "add a 30-day cure period before termination").

6. Questions to ask counsel

The 1–2 things a lawyer should confirm against the full contract.

Quality Checks

  • The plain-English translation avoids restating the legalese
  • Says clearly who the clause favours
  • Risk rating is tied to a concrete scenario, not generic
  • Redline suggestions are specific and actionable
  • Retains "not legal advice — confirm with counsel"

Anti-Patterns

  • Re-stating the clause in slightly different legalese instead of explaining it
  • "It depends" with no actual read
  • Risk ratings with no scenario behind them
  • Suggesting changes with no example of the better wording

Example Trigger Phrases

  • "Decode legal language."
  • "Explain a term in a contract."
  • "Assess whether a provision is standard."