| name | skill-creator |
| description | Creates new skills with proper structure and validation. Use when creating a skill, initializing a new skill, scaffolding skill directories, or packaging skills for distribution. Provides templates, validation, and best practices for skill development. |
| allowed-tools | Write, Read, Glob, Bash(*), Edit |
Skill Creator
Guide for creating effective skills that extend Claude's capabilities.
About Skills
Skills are modular, self-contained packages providing:
- Specialized workflows - Multi-step procedures for specific domains
- Tool integrations - Instructions for file formats or APIs
- Domain expertise - Schemas, business logic, policies
- Bundled resources - Scripts, references, and assets
Core Principles
Conciseness
The context window is a public good. Only add context Claude doesn't already have.
Degrees of Freedom
- High freedom: Multiple approaches valid, heuristics guide
- Medium freedom: Preferred pattern exists, some variation OK
- Low freedom: Fragile operations, specific sequence required
Skill Anatomy
skill-name/
├── SKILL.md (required)
│ ├── YAML frontmatter (name, description)
│ └── Markdown instructions
└── Bundled Resources (optional)
├── scripts/ - Executable code
├── references/ - Documentation for context
└── assets/ - Files used in output
Creation Process
Step 1: Initialize
Run the init script:
python .claude/skills/skill-creator/scripts/init_skill.py <name> --path .claude/skills
Step 2: Edit SKILL.md
Frontmatter requirements:
name: Hyphen-case identifier (max 40 chars)description: What it does AND when to use it (max 1024 chars)
Body patterns:
- Workflow-based: Sequential steps
- Task-based: Different operations
- Reference: Standards or specs
- Capabilities: Interrelated features
Step 3: Add Resources
scripts/: Python/Bash for automationreferences/: Docs loaded into context as neededassets/: Templates, images, fonts for output
Step 4: Validate
python .claude/skills/skill-creator/scripts/quick_validate.py .claude/skills/<name>
Step 5: Package (optional)
python .claude/skills/skill-creator/scripts/package_skill.py .claude/skills/<name>
Creates a distributable .skill file.
Progressive Disclosure
- Metadata - Always in context (~100 words)
- SKILL.md body - When triggered (<5k words)
- References - As needed (unlimited)
Keep SKILL.md under 500 lines. Split into references when larger.
Design Patterns
See references/workflows.md for sequential and conditional workflows.
See references/output-patterns.md for templates and examples.
Delegation
This skill is invoked by meta-skill when creating new skills for unfamiliar technologies.