Automated summary
This skill guides the creation of new Claude Code skills by laying out the directory structure, frontmatter format, and authoring best practices.
Strengths
- Specifies the `.claude/skills/<name>/SKILL.md` layout and the required frontmatter fields with their constraints
- Contrasts good and bad descriptions so the skill triggers reliably on the right requests
- Covers common patterns (persona, task-specific, template, analysis) and optional `allowed-tools` restrictions
- Includes a step-by-step creation checklist ending with activation testing
Limitations
- Claude Code specific: the conventions do not transfer directly to other agent tools
- Does not cover programmatic validation of frontmatter or size limits beyond stating them
Use when authoring or restructuring a SKILL.md for this Claude Code skills repository.
Skip it when building skill configs for Cursor, Windsurf, or Copilot, whose formats differ.
Security analysis
SafeThe skill is purely instructional documentation for creating SKILL.md files. It contains no executable commands beyond a benign mkdir example, no network calls, no secret handling, and no destructive operations.
No concerns found
How this analysis is madeExamples
Create a new skill called changelog-to-tweets in .claude/skills/ that turns changelogs into short social posts, with proper frontmatter and a good trigger description.My skill's description is 'helps with content' and it never activates. Rewrite it following the skill-creator guidance and show me the updated frontmatter.Add allowed-tools to my codebase-explorer skill so it can only read, grep, and glob, and confirm the SKILL.md structure is correct.name: skill-creator description: Create new Claude Code skills with proper SKILL.md structure, frontmatter, and best practices. Use when building new skills for this repository.
Skill Creator
Create well-structured Claude Code skills following best practices.
Skill Structure
Every skill requires this directory structure:
.claude/skills/
└── skill-name/
├── SKILL.md # Required - main skill definition
└── [supporting.md] # Optional - reference docs, examples
SKILL.md Format
---
name: skill-name
description: Brief description of what the skill does and when to use it. Max 1024 chars.
---
# Skill Title
[Main instructions for Claude when this skill is activated]
Frontmatter Requirements
| Field | Required | Constraints |
|-------|----------|-------------|
| name | Yes | Lowercase letters, numbers, hyphens only. Max 64 chars. |
| description | Yes | What it does + when to use it. Max 1024 chars. |
| allowed-tools | No | Restrict available tools (e.g., Read, Grep, Glob) |
Writing Effective Descriptions
The description determines when Claude activates the skill. Be specific:
Good descriptions:
- "Transform changelogs and user showcases into Twitter posts. Use for social media content with casual voice."
- "Design evidence-based powerlifting programs. Use for strength training, workout planning, progressive overload."
Bad descriptions:
- "Helps with content" (too vague)
- "For writing" (won't trigger reliably)
Include:
- Specific functionality and capabilities
- Trigger terms users would mention
- When Claude should activate it
Skill Content Best Practices
Structure
# Skill Title
Brief context paragraph.
## Context
Who/what this skill represents, target audience.
## [Main Sections]
Core instructions, templates, guidelines.
## Examples
Input/output examples when helpful.
## Quality Checklist
Verification criteria for outputs.
Content Guidelines
- Be specific and actionable
- Include templates and examples
- Define clear output formats
- Add quality checklists when appropriate
- Reference supporting files if needed
Skill Locations
| Location | Scope | Use Case |
|----------|-------|----------|
| .claude/skills/ | Project | Team workflows, project-specific |
| ~/.claude/skills/ | Global | Personal workflows across projects |
Creating a New Skill
- Identify the need: What task should Claude handle automatically?
- Define triggers: What words/contexts should activate it?
- Create directory:
mkdir -p .claude/skills/skill-name - Write SKILL.md: Include frontmatter + instructions
- Add supporting files: Optional reference docs
- Test activation: Verify Claude activates on relevant requests
Example: Minimal Skill
---
name: code-review
description: Review code for bugs, security issues, and best practices. Use when asked to review or audit code.
---
# Code Review Skill
Review code systematically for:
## Checklist
- [ ] Logic errors and edge cases
- [ ] Security vulnerabilities (injection, auth, etc.)
- [ ] Performance concerns
- [ ] Code style and readability
- [ ] Error handling
## Output Format
Provide findings as:
1. **Critical**: Must fix before merge
2. **Important**: Should fix soon
3. **Suggestions**: Nice to have improvements
Example: Skill with Tool Restrictions
---
name: codebase-explorer
description: Explore and explain codebase structure. Use for understanding unfamiliar code. Read-only.
allowed-tools: Read, Grep, Glob
---
# Codebase Explorer
Analyze codebases without making changes...
Common Patterns
Voice/Persona Skills
Define character, tone, writing style for consistent outputs.
Task-Specific Skills
Step-by-step instructions for specific workflows.
Template Skills
Output formats, document structures, boilerplate.
Analysis Skills
Checklists, criteria, evaluation frameworks.
From the file to a first result
The download contains exactly the content displayed on this page. This copy may differ from the latest version in the source repository.
View the source and supporting filesThis download contains SKILL.md only. Any scripts, references, templates and dependencies are not included. Get the required files from the source, preserving their directory structure, before continuing.
1. Download the file
Download SKILL.mdFrom the root of a test project, save the file as .skill-downloads/claude-code-skill-creator-mmh8qqwu/SKILL.md, or use the command below. This folder is for inspecting the skill before installation.
Command for macOS/Linux or WSL: requires a POSIX shell and curl. On Windows without WSL, use the download button and create the folder manually.
mkdir -p '.skill-downloads/claude-code-skill-creator-mmh8qqwu' && curl --fail --show-error --location 'https://skills-guides.com/api/skills/claude-code-skill-creator-mmh8qqwu/download' --output '.skill-downloads/claude-code-skill-creator-mmh8qqwu/SKILL.md.part' && mv '.skill-downloads/claude-code-skill-creator-mmh8qqwu/SKILL.md.part' '.skill-downloads/claude-code-skill-creator-mmh8qqwu/SKILL.md'2. Check prerequisites
Read SKILL.md before using it. If it references scripts or external services, inspect them and prepare the required access in your test environment.
No recognized prerequisites section in this file. This does not mean it is self-contained: libraries, tools and access requirements may be mentioned elsewhere in the content or source repository.
The platforms on this page are catalog indications. The paths below follow tool documentation; they do not prove this skill has been run in those tools. No minimum tool version is confirmed for this listing.
3. Load the skill
After inspection, copy the complete folder into your project using one of the commands below, then open a new tool session. The command stops if a folder with the same name already exists: compare the files before replacing it.
Claude Code
test -f '.skill-downloads/claude-code-skill-creator-mmh8qqwu/SKILL.md' && test -s '.skill-downloads/claude-code-skill-creator-mmh8qqwu/SKILL.md' && mkdir -p '.claude/skills' && test ! -e '.claude/skills/skill-creator' && cp -R '.skill-downloads/claude-code-skill-creator-mmh8qqwu' '.claude/skills/skill-creator'OpenSkills
OpenSkills must already be installed. The local install/read procedure is checked with OpenSkills 1.5.0, which requires Node.js ≥ 20.6.0. Catalog slugs are not resolved automatically.
Official OpenSkills installationopenskills install './.skill-downloads/claude-code-skill-creator-mmh8qqwu'openskills read 'claude-code-skill-creator-mmh8qqwu'Reading should display the installed file content and its base directory. It does not run the skill or install its dependencies.
For an agent that reads AGENTS.md, then sync the index. This command changes AGENTS.md: review the diff before using it.
openskills syncManual method or another tool: attach SKILL.md to a conversation, or open it in an agent that can read files. Include any required supporting resources. No universal folder is recognized by every tool.
4. Try a first task
Use a short, synthetic input: an API endpoint, a small document or an interface brief. In a new conversation, attach the file or give the agent its path, then adapt this request:
Read .skill-downloads/claude-code-skill-creator-mmh8qqwu/SKILL.md and apply its instructions to this example: [describe a test input]. Identify any missing files, dependencies or access. Produce the result requested by the skill without inventing data or running unreviewed scripts.Expected result: output matching the skill instructions, or a precise list of missing prerequisites. A read confirmation alone does not validate a first use. If an external resource is unavailable, that path remains untested.
PDF Reader
Productivity
Read and extract text from PDF files, including documents, reports, contracts, and spreadsheets. Works with local files, URLs, and WhatsApp attachments. Use whenever PDF content is needed, even if not explicitly requested.
Discord Messaging Workflows
Productivity
Use the message tool to send, edit, and moderate Discord messages with interactive components.
Interactive Verdict Preview
Productivity
Generate an interactive HTML preview of keep/drop verdicts for maintainer review, then process the pasted feedback JSON.