claudecode-skill-creating

Claude Code skills require YAML frontmatter with mandatory name and description fields at the top of SKILL.md. This metadata enforces consistent skill registration, enables discovery, and ensures activation readiness. Follow the frontmatter template provided in the skill creation guide to validate structure before deployment.

Organize skills with a scalable structure: SKILL.md for core content, templates/ for reusable patterns, reference.md for detailed specs, examples/ for use cases, and scripts/ for automation. Progressive disclosure keeps SKILL.md concise while supporting optional extensions, reducing activation friction and improving maintainability.

CLAUDE.md defines activation conditions and tool permissions for your skill. Add activation rules that match your skill's core task, reference the frontmatter metadata, and specify required permissions. This integration ensures your skill activates correctly within Claude Code and surfaces in relevant contexts.

Yes. This skill provides template-based onboarding in templates/ that enforce best practices for frontmatter, directory structure, and documentation patterns. Using templates reduces setup time, ensures consistency across skills, and helps troubleshoot activation issues by following proven patterns.

Activation issues typically stem from malformed YAML frontmatter, missing name or description fields, or incomplete CLAUDE.md integration. Validate frontmatter syntax, confirm all mandatory fields are present, verify CLAUDE.md references are correct, and check tool permissions align with your skill's declared capabilities.

SKILL.md provides the concise main guide with frontmatter; reference.md contains detailed technical specs and API documentation; examples.md shows real-world use cases. This layered approach supports progressive disclosure—users find quick answers in SKILL.md and drill into depth only when needed.