Skill Creator
Skills are modular packages that extend Claude's capabilities by providing specialized knowledge, workflows, and tools.
Core Principles
Concise is Key
The context window is a shared resource. Only add context Claude doesn't already have. Challenge each piece: "Does Claude really need this?"
Anatomy of a Skill
skill-name/
├── SKILL.md (required)
│ ├── YAML frontmatter (name, description)
│ └── Markdown instructions
└── Bundled Resources (optional)
├── scripts/ - Executable code
├── references/ - Documentation
└── assets/ - Templates, images
SKILL.md Format
---
name: my-skill-name
description: A clear description of what this skill does and when to use it
---
# My Skill Name
[Instructions for Claude when this skill is active]
## Examples
- Example usage 1
- Example usage 2
## Guidelines
- Guideline 1
- Guideline 2
Skill Creation Process
Step 1: Understand with Examples
Gather concrete examples of how the skill will be used. Ask:
- "What functionality should this skill support?"
- "What would a user say that should trigger this skill?"
Step 2: Plan Reusable Contents
Analyze examples to identify:
- Scripts: Code that gets rewritten repeatedly
- References: Documentation Claude needs to reference
- Assets: Templates, images for output
Step 3: Initialize
Create the skill directory structure with SKILL.md and resource folders.
Step 4: Implement
- Start with reusable resources (scripts, references, assets)
- Write clear SKILL.md with proper frontmatter
- Test scripts by actually running them
Step 5: Iterate
Use the skill on real tasks, notice struggles, improve.
Progressive Disclosure
Keep SKILL.md under 500 lines. Split content:
# PDF Processing
## Quick start
[code example]
## Advanced features
- **Form filling**: See [FORMS.md](FORMS.md)
- **API reference**: See [REFERENCE.md](REFERENCE.md)
What NOT to Include
- README.md
- INSTALLATION_GUIDE.md
- CHANGELOG.md
- User-facing documentation
Skills are for AI agents, not humans.