Skill creator

Skill Creator

Skills are modular packages that extend Claude's capabilities with specialized knowledge, workflows, and tools. They transform Claude from a general-purpose agent into a specialized one equipped with procedural knowledge.

Core Principle: Concise is Key

The context window is a public good. Only add context Claude doesn't already have. Challenge each piece: "Does this justify its token cost?"

Prefer concise examples over verbose explanations.

Installation

OpenClaw / Moltbot / Clawbot

npx clawhub@latest install skill-creator

---

Skill Anatomy

skill-name/
├── SKILL.md (required)
│   ├── YAML frontmatter (name, description)
│   └── Markdown instructions
└── Bundled Resources (optional)
    ├── scripts/      - Executable code
    ├── references/   - Documentation loaded as needed
    └── assets/       - Files used in output

SKILL.md Frontmatter (required)

---
name: skill-name
description: |
  WHAT: One sentence describing what this skill does.
  WHEN: When to use it (contexts, user phrases).
  KEYWORDS: trigger phrases in quotes
---

The description is the only thing Claude reads to decide if the skill triggers. Be comprehensive.

Body (Markdown)

Instructions and guidance. Only loaded AFTER skill triggers. Keep under 500 lines.

---

Bundled Resources

scripts/

Executable code for deterministic or repeated tasks.

• Use when: Same code is rewritten repeatedly, or reliability is critical
• Example: scripts/rotate_pdf.py

references/

Documentation loaded into context as needed.

• Use when: Claude should reference while working
• Examples: schemas, API docs, domain knowledge, detailed guides
• If >10k words, include grep patterns in SKILL.md
• Keep information in EITHER SKILL.md OR references, not both

assets/

Files used in output, not loaded into context.

• Use when: Output needs these files
• Examples: templates, images, icons, boilerplate code

---

Creation Workflow

Step 1: Understand with Examples

Skip only if usage patterns are clearly understood.

Ask:

• "What functionality should this skill support?"
• "Give examples of how this skill would be used?"
• "What would a user say to trigger this skill?"

Step 2: Plan Reusable Contents

For each example, identify:

1. What scripts would help? (repeated code)
2. What references would help? (domain knowledge)
3. What assets would help? (templates, files)

Step 3: Initialize the Skill

scripts/init_skill.py <skill-name> --path <output-directory>

Creates:

• SKILL.md template with proper frontmatter
• Example scripts/, references/, assets/ directories

Step 4: Edit the Skill

Implement resources first (scripts, references, assets). May require user input for domain-specific content.

Test scripts by running them to ensure no bugs.

Write SKILL.md with:

• Clear frontmatter description
• Workflow steps in imperative form ("Run X", not "You should run X")
• Links to references with when-to-read guidance

Step 5: Package the Skill

scripts/package_skill.py <path/to/skill-folder>

Validates structure and creates .skill file for distribution.

Step 6: Iterate

Use the skill on real tasks. Notice struggles. Update and test again.

---

Progressive Disclosure Patterns

Keep SKILL.md lean. Split content when approaching 500 lines.

Pattern 1: High-level guide with references

## Advanced features
- **Form filling**: See [FORMS.md](FORMS.md)
- **API reference**: See [REFERENCE.md](REFERENCE.md)

Pattern 2: Domain-specific organization

bigquery-skill/
├── SKILL.md (overview and navigation)
└── references/
    ├── finance.md
    ├── sales.md
    └── product.md

Pattern 3: Framework/variant organization

cloud-deploy/
├── SKILL.md (workflow + selection)
└── references/
    ├── aws.md
    ├── gcp.md
    └── azure.md

---

Degrees of Freedom

Match specificity to task fragility:

Freedom Level	When to Use	Example
High (text)	Multiple valid approaches	General guidelines
Medium (pseudocode)	Preferred pattern exists	Scripts with parameters
Low (specific scripts)	Fragile, consistency critical	Exact command sequences

---

Quality Checklist

• Description includes WHAT, WHEN, KEYWORDS
• SKILL.md under 500 lines
• References are one level deep (not nested)
• Long references have table of contents
• Scripts are tested and work
• No README.md, CHANGELOG.md, or extra documentation
• Information lives in ONE place (SKILL.md or references, not both)

---

NEVER

• Create README.md, INSTALLATION_GUIDE.md, CHANGELOG.md, or auxiliary docs
• Duplicate information between SKILL.md and references
• Include "When to Use" sections in the body (put in description)
• Create deeply nested reference hierarchies
• Add scripts without testing them
• Exceed 500 lines in SKILL.md