Skill Builder

Generate Claude Code Skill skeletons with YAML frontmatter and directory structure.

75|17|Updated Jan 11, 2026
One-click install
npx skills add https://github.com/smith-horn/skillsmith --skill skill-builder-smith-horn
Or copy as Structured Prompt for Agent
Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: Skill Builder
Source: https://github.com/smith-horn/skillsmith/tree/main/.claude/skills/skill-builder
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/smith-horn/skillsmith --skill skill-builder-smith-horn

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

What problem does it solve?

The Skill Builder addresses the challenge of creating consistent Claude Code Skills by generating production-ready SKILL.md frontmatter, a scalable progressive disclosure structure, and a complete directory layout that supports scripts, references, and assets.

Core Features & Use Cases

  • YAML frontmatter with required name and description for every skill
  • Progressive disclosure architecture enabling 100+ skills without context overload
  • Directory templates for minimal and full-featured skills, plus optional scripts and resources
  • Quick-start guidance to bootstrap new skills; templates and best practices for quality and maintainability
  • Use Cases: building new skills from templates, mentoring teams on skill standards, generating example skeletons for documentation

Quick Start

To begin, define a new skill directory under ~/.claude/skills or .claude/skills, add a SKILL.md with the required frontmatter, and consult the included templates.md and best-practices.md to structure your skill. Then restart Claude Code or Claude AI so the new skill is detected.

Frequently Asked Questions about Skill Builder

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

FAQPage Schema
How do I create a Claude Code skill with proper YAML frontmatter?

Claude Code skill creation requires defining a SKILL.md file with YAML frontmatter containing name and description fields, then placing it in a `.claude/skills` or `~/.claude/skills` directory before restarting Claude Code.

What is progressive disclosure in skill authoring and when do I need it?

Progressive disclosure is an architecture that organizes skill content across templates and directories to prevent context overload. You need it when scaling to manage 100+ skills without exceeding Claude's context window.

How do I structure a scalable directory for Claude Code skills?

You structure scalable Claude Code skill directories by separating SKILL.md files from optional scripts, references, and assets. Use this layout to support both minimal and full-featured skills across personal and project scopes.

Does the Skill Builder template support both personal and project skill scopes?

Yes, the templates support both personal (`~/.claude/skills`) and project (`.claude/skills`) scopes, allowing developers to standardize and share skill skeletons across different deployment environments.

What are the required fields in a SKILL.md file?

The required fields in a SKILL.md file are `name` and `description` within the YAML frontmatter. These fields are enforced by the generator to ensure your skill is properly detected and standardized.

Best way to bootstrap a new Claude Code skill skeleton for a team?

The best way to bootstrap a skill skeleton for a team is using standardized templates that generate a complete directory layout with SKILL.md, best-practices guidance, and optional resource folders for consistent skill authoring.