create-skill

To create a Claude Skill, edit the SKILL.md file at the root of your skill directory using a template-driven structure. This enforces required YAML frontmatter like name and description, ensuring standardized discovery and quality across skill definitions.

A SKILL.md file should include structured sections for Overview, When to Use, Instructions, Examples, and Reference Materials. This clear instruction layout ensures outputs adhere to formatting rules and naming conventions for skill creation.

The required YAML frontmatter fields for Claude Skills are name and description. Optional fields like version and allowed-tools can also be added to standardize discovery and governance.

Yes, you can use templates to build common Skill types such as Guidelines/Standards, Process/Workflow, Tool Integration, and Reference/Knowledge. These patterns guide authors through creation to ensure best practices.

The best way to validate Claude Skill definitions is by applying enforced formatting rules, naming conventions, and validation checks during the skill creation process. This structured framework prevents inconsistent skill definitions.

You can include optional supplements like reference.md, examples.md, and a templates directory alongside your SKILL.md. These files provide additional documentation and examples to support the skill's instructions.