archetype-actions

Configures post-generation file modification actions for Dev CLI archetypes.

1|Updated May 19, 2026
One-click install
npx skills add https://github.com/thomasmartinsen/talks --skill archetype-actions-thomasmartinsen
Or copy as Structured Prompt for Agent
Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: archetype-actions
Source: https://github.com/thomasmartinsen/talks/tree/main/20260519%20-%20Agentic%20engineering/primitives/skills/creator/skills/archetype-actions
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/thomasmartinsen/talks --skill archetype-actions-thomasmartinsen

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

What problem does it solve? Defining how an archetype modifies existing project files after template generation is error-prone when done by hand. This Skill documents every action type available in a Dev CLI archetype's actions array so you can wire up infrastructure, file, and project changes correctly. ## Core Features & Use Cases - Structured File Modification: Modify Bicep, bicepparam, YAML, JSON, and csproj files with operations like add-resource, set-property, merge-object, and add-package-reference. - Pattern-Based Text Editing: Insert or replace content in any file using pattern matching with options like matchLast, skipIfContains, and continueOnError. - Project & Command Actions: Add project-to-project references, run shell commands, or invoke GitHub Copilot with a natural language prompt after generation. - Use Case: When scaffolding a new feature, use modify-bicep to add a Service Bus queue resource, modify-csproj to add a FluentValidation package reference, and run-command to execute dotnet format. ## Quick Start Ask the assistant to add a modify-bicep action to your archetype that creates a new Service Bus queue resource in the main Bicep file.

Frequently Asked Questions about archetype-actions

High-intent search queries and answers about installing and using this skill.

FAQPage Schema
How do I add a resource to a Bicep file from an archetype?

Use the modify-bicep action with the add-resource operation, specifying name, resourceType, and properties. Prefix values with = for raw Bicep expressions; plain strings are automatically quoted.

What action types are available in Dev CLI archetypes?

Available types include create-file, modify-bicep, modify-bicepparam, modify-yaml, modify-json, modify-text, modify-csproj, add-project-reference, run-command, and copilot. Each targets a specific file format or post-generation task.

How do I conditionally run an archetype action?

Add a condition field with a Scriban expression to any action. The action is skipped unless the expression evaluates to true, letting you gate changes on user-provided parameters.

Can archetype actions insert text without duplicating existing content?

Yes, modify-text operations support skipIfContains, which skips the insertion if the file already contains the specified text. The continueOnError flag also prevents failures when a pattern is not found.

When should I use the copilot action instead of modify-text?

Use the copilot action when the change requires generative reasoning, such as creating a mapper from a natural language prompt. Use modify-text for deterministic, pattern-based insertions and replacements.