Find agent skills by outcome

For tasks with branching logic

guide Claude through decision points:

When creating a new skill from scratch

always run the `init_skill.py` script:

Writing & Content

2. Plan reusable skill contents (scripts

references

- Use cases: Templates

images

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

not both.

Marketing

- Examples: `assets/logo.png` for brand assets

`assets/slides.pptx` for PowerPoint templates

Files not intended to be loaded into context

but rather used within the output Claude produces.

Coding & Debugging

- Use cases: Database schemas

API documentation

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

include grep search patterns in SKILL.md

- Benefits: Keeps SKILL.md lean

loaded only when Claude determines it's needed

- 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

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

`references/mnda.md` for company NDA template

- Benefits: Token efficient

deterministic

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

icons

**Low freedom (specific scripts

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

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).

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

Coding & Debugging

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

some variation is acceptable

Productivity

specialized knowledge

workflows

4. Bundled resources - Scripts

references

3. Domain expertise - Company-specific knowledge

schemas

Productivity

description: Guide for creating effective skills. This skill should be used when users want to create a new skill (or update an existing skill) that extends Claude's capabilities with specialized knowledge

workflows

Skill Creator

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