creating-skills

Name: creating-skills
Availability: InStock
Author: Microsoft

Author and improve agent skills following Anthropic's best practices and validation standards.

19|2|Updated May 13, 2026

Search Tags:#quality assurance #code review #validation #iteration #skill authoring

Ready to run

npx skills add https://github.com/microsoft/upgrade-agent-plugins --skill creating-skills-microsoft

💬 Prompt for ChatGPT / Claude Chat▼

Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: creating-skills
Source: https://github.com/microsoft/upgrade-agent-plugins/tree/main/plugins/upgrade-agent/upgrade/skills/generic/creating-skills
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/microsoft/upgrade-agent-plugins --skill creating-skills-microsoft

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

💡 This Skill includes scripts (resource) and references (resource) and templates (resource) and assets (resource) components.

What problem does it solve?

This Skill assists with the creation, validation, and iterative improvement of agent skills, ensuring they adhere to Anthropic's best practices and pass code review on the first submission.

Core Features & Use Cases

Skill Creation: Guidance through the entire skill creation process, from capturing intent to drafting the SKILL.md.
Validation: Automated and manual checks to ensure skill quality and adherence to standards.
Testing and Improvement: Iterative testing and improvement cycles to ensure the skill's effectiveness and reliability.
Use Case: Ideal for skill authors looking to create or improve skills that will be used in a production environment, following a structured and rigorous process.

Quick Start

Start by reading references/quality-checklist.md to understand the validation criteria. Follow the 6-step process: 1. Discover existing skills, 2. Capture intent, 3. Draft the skill, 4. Validate, 5. Test, 6. Package.

Frequently Asked Questions about creating-skills

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

FAQPage Schema

How do I create production-ready agent skills that pass code review?▼

To create production-ready agent skills that pass code review, follow a structured 6-step process: discover existing skills, capture intent, draft the skill, validate, test, and package. This ensures adherence to best practices and quality standards.

What is the validation process for skill authoring?▼

Skill authoring validation involves automated and manual checks against a quality checklist to ensure adherence to standards. This process verifies skill structure, validation rules, and testing procedures to guarantee reliability before submission.

How do I iteratively test and improve agent skills?▼

Iterative testing and improvement of agent skills involves running validation checks, testing effectiveness, and refining the skill based on results. This cycle ensures the skill meets quality assurance and code review standards for production environments.

What are the best practices for drafting a SKILL.md file?▼

Best practices for drafting a SKILL.md file involve capturing intent clearly, adhering to Anthropic's skill structure, and following validation rules. Using templates and references ensures the file meets production-ready standards and passes code review.

Does skill authoring require knowledge of specific validation rules?▼

Yes, skill authoring requires knowledge of skill structure, validation rules, and testing procedures. Understanding these rules is essential to ensure the skill adheres to best practices and passes automated and manual quality checks.