write-a-skill

To create reusable AI skills, you define a self-contained unit with a SKILL.md file at the root, using mandatory YAML frontmatter for name and description, and organizing optional references, scripts, and assets into dedicated directories.

The required structure for an agent skill file is a root SKILL.md document containing YAML frontmatter with name and description fields, accompanied by optional directories for references, scripts, and assets to organize supporting resources.

To write markdown frontmatter for skill creation, you define a YAML block at the top of SKILL.md that records mandatory name and description fields, along with dependencies and components for tooling discovery and reliable loading.

The best way to organize scripts and references in AI workflows is to scaffold them into optional directories located alongside the root SKILL.md file, ensuring each self-contained skill unit remains structured and easily discoverable by tooling.

Yes, you can use SKILL.md templates without adding scripts or assets by creating the root SKILL.md file with only the mandatory YAML frontmatter, as references, scripts, and assets directories are entirely optional for self-contained skill units.