skill-development

To create a Claude Code skill, you need to structure a SKILL.md file with optional resources like scripts, references, and assets. This skill guides you through the required anatomy, writing style, and validation best practices to ensure it is discoverable and efficient.

Progressive disclosure in skill development is a best practice that keeps SKILL.md content lean by deferring detailed documentation to optional reference files. This approach ensures Claude Code loads instructions efficiently without overwhelming the context window.

SKILL.md files should use an imperative, third-person writing style to ensure clear instruction triggering. Adhering to this style along with lean content helps Claude Code accurately parse and execute the skill's intended actions.

Plugin skills require a SKILL.md file at the root, with supporting components organized into scripts, references, and assets directories. This structure separates executable logic and detailed documentation from the core trigger instructions.

Common mistakes in skill documentation include overloading the SKILL.md file with excessive details and using incorrect writing styles. This skill provides a validation checklist to identify and refine these structural and stylistic errors.

No external dependencies are required to develop a Claude Code plugin skill. You only need to understand the standard file structure and progressive disclosure principles to build self-contained scripts and reference materials.