create-agent-skills

Guide for creating, structuring, and refining Claude Code Skills using XML, workflows, and modular components.

• Modular skills built with XML and filesystem structure
• Skills define domain expertise or task execution
• Uses router pattern with separate files for clarity
• Follows progressive disclosure and clear intent

• Skills are prompts: clear, direct, use XML structure
• SKILL.md is always loaded and contains essential principles
• Workflows define step-by-step procedures (FOLLOW)
• References provide domain knowledge (READ)
• Templates offer consistent output (COPY + FILL)
• Scripts run as-is (EXECUTE)
• Progressive disclosure limits content load to under 500 lines
• Router pattern enables complex skill routing

1. 1.Choose skill type: task-execution or domain expertise
2. 2.Select workflow via menu or intent-based routing
3. 3.Follow the workflow exactly as written
4. 4.Place content in correct folders: workflows, references, templates, scripts
5. 5.Use XML tags only in SKILL.md, not markdown headings
6. 6.Ensure SKILL.md includes objective, process, success_criteria