skill-authoring

To save instructions for future AI sessions, you can author a reusable skill by creating a SKILL.md file. This modular entry persists your workflows and guidance, allowing agents to apply them automatically in later tasks.

A SKILL.md entry is a markdown file that defines a reusable skill to extend agent capabilities. It includes required frontmatter like name and description, along with optional references to scripts and assets for the agent to use.

To create a reusable skill, choose a lowercase, hyphenated name and save a new SKILL.md file under the .agents/skills/SKILLNAME/ directory. Ensure the file includes the required name and description frontmatter to function properly.

You do not need to include scripts or assets when authoring AI documentation. A SKILL.md file only requires name and description frontmatter, while references to scripts, assets, and other references are strictly optional additions.

You should modularize tasks into reusable skills when you need to capture a routine workflow, teach the assistant a new capability, or save complex instructions for future collaboration across multiple sessions.

The frontmatter requirements for a valid SKILL.md file mandate only two fields: name and description. Optional frontmatter and body references can support scripts, assets, and external references as needed for the workflow.