Create New Skills

Create a new Skill by structuring a directory in .claude/skills with YAML frontmatter (name and description), a SKILL.md file containing Instructions and Examples sections, and optional supporting files. Follow progressive disclosure principles to manage context efficiently and ensure the Skill is discoverable and performant.

A well-designed Skill requires YAML frontmatter at the top, clear Instructions section defining the Skill's purpose and scope, concrete Examples demonstrating usage, and supporting files organized in a version-controlled directory. Best practices include focused scope, efficient context management, and clear descriptions for optimal performance.

Yes. You can package domain-specific knowledge into reusable Skill structures stored in .claude/skills, enabling Claude to automate specialized tasks like report generation or data analysis. This approach extends Claude's capabilities while maintaining consistent design patterns across your Skill ecosystem.

Structure Instructions to clearly define the Skill's purpose, scope, and decision logic, then provide concrete Examples that demonstrate real usage patterns. This combination ensures users understand when and how to invoke the Skill, making it discoverable and easy to apply correctly.

Supporting files are optional but recommended for complex Skills. Use them to include templates, reference data, or helper functions that enhance the Skill's functionality. Organize all files in a version-controlled directory alongside SKILL.md for maintainability.

Test your Skill by working through the Examples section with real-world scenarios, verifying that Instructions produce expected outputs. Validate that the YAML frontmatter is correctly formatted, scope is focused, and progressive disclosure is applied. Version control your directory to track iterations and changes.