Find agent skills by outcome

2. Plan reusable skill contents (scripts

references

- Avoid duplication: Information should live in either SKILL.md or references files

not both.

Files not intended to be loaded into context

but rather used within the output Claude produces.

- Benefits: Keeps SKILL.md lean

loaded only when Claude determines it's needed

Coding & Debugging

- Use cases: Database schemas

API documentation

- Best practice: If files are large (>10k words)

include grep search patterns in SKILL.md

- Benefits: Token efficient

deterministic

- Examples: `references/finance.md` for financial schemas

`references/mnda.md` for company NDA template

- Frontmatter (YAML): Contains `name` and `description` fields. These are the only fields that Claude reads to determine when the skill gets used

thus it is very important to be clear and comprehensive in describing what the skill is

**Low freedom (specific scripts

few parameters)**: Use when operations are fragile and error-prone

└── assets/ - Files used in output (templates

icons

Think of Claude as exploring a path: a narrow bridge with cliffs needs specific guardrails (low freedom)

while an open field allows many routes (high freedom).

Coding & Debugging

Medium freedom (pseudocode or scripts with parameters): Use when a preferred pattern exists

some variation is acceptable

High freedom (text-based instructions): Use when multiple approaches are valid

decisions depend on context

Writing & Content

The context window is a public good. Skills share the context window with everything else Claude needs: system prompt

conversation history

4. Bundled resources - Scripts

references

3. Domain expertise - Company-specific knowledge

schemas

Skills are modular

self-contained packages that extend Claude's capabilities by providing

Skill Creator

---

use_case: Training AI models for emotional portrait generation

cinematic lighting styles

prompt: A dramatic

cinematic close-up portrait of a pensive young man in profile. Intense

implied_action: The subject is in a still moment of deep contemplation

gazing at something unseen off-camera.

setting_details: The background is a solid

dark

character_interactions: The man is alone

seemingly lost in thought