Create New Skills
Instructions
This skill helps you create new Agent Skills for Claude Code. Before starting, read the comprehensive documentation files in the docs/ directory for complete context.
Prerequisites
Required Reading - Read these files in order before creating a skill:
- docs/claude_code_agent_skills.md - Complete guide to creating and managing skills
- docs/claude_code_agent_skills_overview.md - Architecture and how skills work
- docs/blog_equipping_agents_with_skills.md - Design principles and best practices
Understanding Skills
What is a Skill?
- A directory containing a
SKILL.mdfile with YAML frontmatter - Instructions that Claude loads on-demand when relevant
- Optional supporting files (scripts, documentation, templates)
- Like an onboarding guide for a new team member
Progressive Disclosure (3 Levels):
- Metadata (always loaded):
nameanddescriptionin YAML frontmatter - Instructions (loaded when triggered): Main body of SKILL.md
- Resources (loaded as needed): Additional files, scripts, templates
Key Principle: Only relevant content enters the context window at any time.
Skill Creation Workflow
Step 1: Define the Skill's Purpose
Ask the user these questions:
- What task or domain should this skill cover?
- When should Claude use this skill? (triggers)
- What expertise or workflows need to be captured?
- Does it need scripts, templates, or other resources?
Document the answers for reference.
Step 2: Create the Skill Directory Structure
Create skills in the project's .claude/skills/ directory for team sharing:
mkdir -p .claude/skills/<skill-name>Naming conventions:
- Use lowercase with hyphens (e.g.,
pdf-processing,data-analysis) - Be descriptive but concise
- Avoid generic names
Note: Project skills (.claude/skills/) are automatically shared with your team via git. For personal skills only you use, create in ~/.claude/skills/ instead.
Step 3: Design the SKILL.md Structure
Every skill must have:
---
name: Your Skill Name
description: Brief description of what this Skill does and when to use it
---
# Your Skill Name
## Instructions
[Clear, step-by-step guidance for Claude]
## Examples
[Concrete examples of using this Skill]Frontmatter Requirements:
name: Required, max 64 charactersdescription: Required, max 1024 characters
- Include BOTH what it does AND when to use it - Mention key trigger words/phrases - Be specific, not vague
Optional Frontmatter (Claude Code only):
allowed-tools: Restrict which tools Claude can use (e.g.,Read, Grep, Glob)
Step 4: Write the Instructions Section
Structure the instructions as:
- Prerequisites - Required dependencies, tools, environment setup
- Workflow - Step-by-step process (numbered steps)
- Supporting Details - Additional context, script usage, error handling
Best Practices:
- Use clear, actionable language
- Number sequential steps
- Use bullet points for options/lists
- Include code blocks with bash commands
- Reference supporting files with relative links:
[reference.md](reference.md) - Keep focused on one capability
Example workflow format:
### Workflow
1. **First step description**:command to run
- Additional context
- Options or variations
1. **Second step description**:
- Detailed instructions
- What to look for
- Expected outcomes
2. **Third step**...
Step 5: Write the Examples Section
Provide 2-4 concrete examples showing:
- Different use cases
- Various input formats
- Step-by-step execution
- Expected outcomes
Example format:
### Example 1: Descriptive Title
User request:User's exact request text
You would:
1. First action
2. Second action with command:actual command
1. Next steps...
2. Final result
Step 6: Add Supporting Files (Optional)
If the skill needs additional context:
- Create files alongside SKILL.md
- Reference them from instructions:
[forms.md](forms.md) - Use progressive disclosure - split by topic/scenario
Common supporting file types:
- Additional instructions (e.g.,
advanced_usage.md) - Reference documentation (e.g.,
api_reference.md) - Scripts in
scripts/directory - Templates in
templates/directory - Configuration examples
Script guidelines:
- Make executable:
chmod +x scripts/*.py - Add PEP 723 inline dependencies for Python scripts
- Include usage instructions in SKILL.md
- Return clear output for Claude to parse
Step 7: Test the Skill
- Verify file structure:
ls -la .claude/skills/<skill-name>/- Check YAML frontmatter is valid:
head -10.claude/skills/<skill-name>/SKILL.md - Test with relevant queries:
- Ask questions matching the skill's description - Verify Claude loads and uses the skill - Check that instructions are clear and actionable
- Iterate based on testing:
- Refine description if skill doesn't trigger - Clarify instructions if Claude struggles - Add examples for common edge cases
Step 8: Commit to Version Control
Since project skills are automatically shared with your team, commit them to git:
git add .claude/skills/<skill-name>
git commit -m "Add <skill-name> skill"
git pushNote: Team members will get the skill automatically when they pull the latest changes.
Best Practices Summary
Description writing:
- ✅ "Transcribes audio/video files to text using Fireworks API. Use when user asks to transcribe, convert speech to text, or needs transcripts."
- ❌ "Helps with audio"
Instruction organization:
- Keep main instructions focused (under 5k tokens ideal)
- Split complex content into linked files
- Use progressive disclosure for optional/advanced content
Skill scope:
- One skill = one capability or workflow
- Don't combine unrelated tasks
- Make focused, composable skills
File references:
- Use relative paths:
[file.md](file.md)not absolute paths - Reference scripts with full path from skill root
- Make it clear when Claude should read vs execute files
Common Patterns from Existing Skills
Pattern 1: Transcription skill
- Prerequisites section with environment setup
- Clear numbered workflow
- Multiple examples showing different formats
- Supporting file for corrections/mappings
Pattern 2: Morning debrief skill
- Two-step process (transcribe, extend)
- Reference to detailed prompt in separate file
- File organization step
- Clear output structure specification
Pattern 3: Meta-skill (this one)
- Extensive prereading documentation
- Step-by-step creation workflow
- Multiple examples with variations
- Best practices and common patterns
Examples
Example 1: Creating a Simple Code Review Skill
User request:
Create a skill that reviews Python code for best practicesYou would:
- Read the documentation files in docs/
- Ask clarifying questions:
- What specific best practices? (PEP 8, security, performance?) - Should it check only or suggest fixes? - Any specific frameworks or libraries?
- Create the skill directory:
mkdir -p.claude/skills/python-code-review - Write SKILL.md with:
--- name: Python Code Review description: Reviews Python code for PEP 8 compliance, security issues, and performance. Use when reviewing Python code, checking code quality, or analyzing Python files. allowed-tools: Read, Grep, Glob --- - Add Instructions section with:
- Prerequisites (none needed, uses built-in tools) - Workflow: 1. Read the Python file(s) 2. Check PEP 8 compliance 3. Identify security issues 4. Suggest performance improvements 5. Provide summary with specific line references
- Add 3 examples:
- Example 1: Single file review - Example 2: Multi-file project review - Example 3: Focused security review
- Test with sample Python files
Example 2: Creating a Data Analysis Skill with Scripts
User request:
Build a skill for analyzing CSV data with statistics and visualizationsYou would:
- Read documentation files
- Define scope with user:
- What statistics? (mean, median, correlations?) - What visualizations? (charts, plots?) - Output format? (markdown report, images?)
- Create structure:
mkdir -p.claude/skills/csv-analysis/scripts mkdir -p.claude/skills/csv-analysis/templates - Write SKILL.md referencing:
- scripts/analyze.py - Statistical analysis script - scripts/visualize.py - Chart generation script - templates/report_template.md - Output template
- Create Python scripts with inline dependencies:
# /// script # requires-python = ">=3.10" # dependencies = ["pandas", "matplotlib", "seaborn"] # /// - Write clear instructions for:
- When to run which script - How to interpret output - How to customize analysis
- Add examples showing:
- Basic statistics - Visualization generation - Custom report creation
- Test with sample CSV files
Example 3: Creating a Multi-File Documentation Skill
User request:
Create a skill for writing technical documentation with our company's style guideYou would:
- Read documentation files
- Gather requirements:
- Get company style guide document - What types of docs? (API, user guides, architecture?) - Any templates or examples?
- Create comprehensive structure:
mkdir -p.claude/skills/tech-docs/{templates,examples,guidelines} - Organize content:
- SKILL.md - Overview and workflow - guidelines/style_guide.md - Company style rules - guidelines/api_docs.md - API documentation specifics - guidelines/user_guides.md - User guide standards - templates/api_template.md - API doc template - templates/guide_template.md - User guide template - examples/ - Sample documentation
- Write SKILL.md that:
- References guidelines by doc type - Uses progressive disclosure (only load needed guidelines) - Provides workflow for each doc type
- Add examples for:
- API endpoint documentation - User guide creation - Architecture decision records
- Test with various documentation requests
Example 4: Extending an Existing Skill
User request:
Add spell correction to our transcribe skillYou would:
- Read current skill:
cat.claude/skills/transcribe/SKILL.md - Identify where to add the feature:
- After transcription step - Before final output
- Create supporting file:
touch.claude/skills/transcribe/spell_corrections.md - Write correction mappings in new file:
# Spell Corrections - "cloud code" → "claude code" - "API" → "API" (ensure caps)... - Update SKILL.md workflow:
- Add step: "Apply spell corrections from spell_corrections.md" - Reference the corrections file
- Update examples to show correction step
- Test with audio that has common errors
Summary
Creating skills is about packaging expertise into discoverable, composable capabilities. Follow these principles:
- Read the docs first - Understand progressive disclosure and skill architecture
- Write clear descriptions - Include what AND when
- Keep instructions focused - Use supporting files for additional context
- Test thoroughly - Verify Claude discovers and uses the skill correctly
- Iterate with feedback - Refine based on actual usage
Skills transform general-purpose Claude into a specialist for your domain. Start small, test early, and expand as needed.