skill-development

To structure a Claude Code plugin skill, create a lean SKILL.md file with required YAML frontmatter containing name and description, and use optional references, scripts, and assets directories for progressive disclosure to ensure consistent loading and reuse.

Progressive disclosure in skill development is the practice of moving detailed guidance and examples out of the main SKILL.md body into separate references and assets directories, keeping the core skill file lean for efficient loading while retaining extended context.

Claude Code plugin skills require YAML frontmatter with name and description fields, written using third-person guidance to ensure the skill is properly indexed and consistently loaded by the plugin system.

You validate plugin skills during local testing by checking that the SKILL.md body remains lean, required frontmatter is present, and any references, scripts, or assets are correctly organized in their respective directories for proper progressive disclosure.

You should move plugin skill details into references when the SKILL.md body becomes too dense, leveraging progressive disclosure to keep the main file lean while storing extended guidance and examples in dedicated references and assets directories.