write-a-skill

To create a standardized template for new agent skills, draft a directory with a SKILL.md file containing required frontmatter fields like name and description, then add optional folders for scripts and references to complete the structure.

An agent skill scaffolding directory includes a SKILL.md file with a frontmatter schema for metadata validation, alongside optional subdirectories for scripts, references, and assets to organize helper code and documentation.

You validate frontmatter fields in a developer skill by ensuring the SKILL.md metadata schema requires essential attributes like name and description, applying a repeatable workflow to draft, review, and validate the content.

Yes, YAML frontmatter is needed to structure a new CLI automation skill because it defines the required name and description metadata fields that ensure the skill directory is properly recognized and validated.

The best way to scaffold optional scripts and references for agent skills is to create dedicated subdirectories within the main skill folder, separating helper logic in scripts from documentation in references and assets.

Your skill directory fails validation without a SKILL.md file because the standard review and validation workflow requires this file to confirm that mandatory frontmatter fields like name and description are present.