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CaptainCrouton89
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Output Styles Guide

Configure persistent output styles for Claude Code system prompts.

497|68|Updated Sep 7, 2025
Search Tags:#research#customization#system prompt#learning#AI behavior#roles#workflows
One-click install
npx skills add https://github.com/CaptainCrouton89/.claude --skill output-styles-guide
Or copy as Structured Prompt for Agent▼
Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: Output Styles Guide
Source: https://github.com/CaptainCrouton89/.claude/tree/main/.claude/skills/output-styles-guide
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/CaptainCrouton89/.claude --skill output-styles-guide

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

What problem does it solve?

This Skill allows you to customize Claude Code's system prompt, adapting its behavior for diverse use cases beyond traditional software engineering. It solves the problem of making Claude a versatile assistant for teaching, learning, research, or domain-specific analysis, while retaining its core capabilities like file I/O and script execution.

Core Features & Use Cases

  • Custom System Prompts: Replace or supplement Claude's default prompt with instructions tailored to a specific role (e.g., Research Assistant, Technical Writer).
  • Built-in Styles: Leverage "Explanatory" for detailed insights or "Learning" for collaborative, skill-building interactions.
  • Use Case: If you're using Claude for technical writing, you can create a "Technical Writer" output style that guides Claude to produce structured outlines, examples, and glossaries, ensuring consistent and high-quality documentation.

Quick Start

View and switch output styles interactively

/output-style

Create a new custom output style (guided)

/output-style:new I want an output style that [describes your use case]

Manual creation: create a Markdown file like ~/.claude/output-styles/research-assistant.md

---

name: Research Assistant

description: Focused, depth-first analysis with citations and hypothesis tracking.

---

# Research Assistant Mode

You are a research partner...

Frequently Asked Questions about Output Styles Guide

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

FAQPage Schema
How do I customize Claude's system prompt for specific workflows?▼

Customize Claude's system prompt by creating output styles—configuration files that replace or supplement the default prompt with role-specific instructions. Use `/output-style:new` to create custom styles, or manually add Markdown files to `~/.claude/output-styles/` with frontmatter defining name and description, then switch styles interactively with `/output-style`.

Can I use different output styles for teaching and research without switching tools?▼

Yes. Output Styles supports built-in styles (Default, Explanatory, Learning) and custom styles tailored to teaching, research, or domain-specific analysis. Each style persists at project or user level, so you retain Claude Code's core capabilities—file I/O, script execution, TODO tracking—while adapting behavior to your use case.

What's the best way to set up a custom output style for technical writing?▼

Create a custom output style by writing a Markdown file in `~/.claude/output-styles/` with frontmatter (name, description) and role-specific instructions. For technical writing, define how Claude should structure outlines, examples, and glossaries. Apply the style via `/output-style`, and it persists across sessions for consistent output.

Do output styles work with Claude Code's file operations and script execution?▼

Yes. Output styles preserve all Claude Code capabilities, including file I/O, script execution, and TODO tracking. Customizing the system prompt does not disable these features, allowing you to adapt Claude's reasoning and communication style while maintaining full workflow integration.

Can I save output styles at both project and user levels?▼

Yes. Output Styles supports both project-level and user-level persistence, so you can define shared styles for a team project or personal defaults. Switch between styles interactively, and the configuration persists across sessions at your chosen scope.

What happens if I create a custom output style but need to fall back to defaults?▼

Switch back to the Default style at any time using `/output-style`. All built-in styles (Default, Explanatory, Learning) remain available alongside custom styles, so you can experiment with role-specific prompts without losing the standard Claude Code behavior.

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