creating-agent-skills

To create Claude Code skills, start with a basic SKILL.md containing mandatory YAML frontmatter for name and description, then add a minimal XML body, and optionally include scripts, references, or assets directories to ensure maintainability.

A router-based skill architecture cleanly separates your SKILL.md, workflows, and references directories to handle multi-intent skills, keeping the main file under 500 lines while exposing deeper details through progressive disclosure.

You can audit an existing Claude Code skill by running validation workflows that verify mandatory frontmatter, check skill lifecycle, validate directory structures, and identify upgrade paths to a router design.

You need progressive disclosure in skill design when your SKILL.md exceeds 500 lines, allowing you to move advanced content into references and workflows directories to maintain discoverability and consistency across teams.

Yes, you can extend an existing Claude Code skill by adding optional directories for scripts, references, and assets, using provided templates and validation patterns to ensure the extensions remain consistent and discoverable.

Best practices for authoring Claude Code skill frontmatter require including mandatory name and description fields in YAML format, using validation patterns to verify integrity, and following templates to ensure consistency and discoverability.