# skill-creation-guide

A guide to planning and updating Claude Code skills, from the required SKILL.md fields to optional scripts, references, and assets.

- skill · `type=skill` · Claude Code · 188 installs
- Author: davila7
- License: not stated · policy=link-only · description only; the file stays with the author
- Source: https://github.com/davila7/claude-code-templates/tree/HEAD/cli-tool/components/skills/development/skill-creation-guide
- Updated: 2026-10-24
- HTML: https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/skills/skill-creation-guide

## What it does

Use this skill when you are building a new skill or revising an existing one. It covers the required `SKILL.md`, its `name` and `description` metadata, and optional `scripts/`, `references/`, and `assets/` directories. These parts let you organize procedures, domain guidance, and files used in generated output.

The guide recommends separating short core instructions from material Claude can load when needed. It also connects instruction detail to task risk: fragile procedures call for tighter steps, while work with several valid approaches can leave more room for judgement. That distinction matters when a skill shares context with the conversation.

Claude Code and an installed skill file are needed to use the guide. It offers design guidance rather than generating a finished skill on its own. Keep `SKILL.md` as the required entry point; add bundled resources only when they support the task.

## Install

### Claude Code (native platform)

1. **claude-code-templates**
```bash
npx claude-code-templates@latest --skill development/skill-creation-guide
```

2. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add davila7/claude-code-templates --skill skill-creation-guide -a claude-code
```

3. **Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `~/.claude/skills/skill-creation-guide/SKILL.md` — Copy the whole skill folder; for one project use .claude/skills/skill-creation-guide/

### Codex

**Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `.agents/skills/skill-creation-guide/SKILL.md` — For all projects use ~/.agents/skills/

### Cursor

**Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `.cursor/skills/skill-creation-guide/SKILL.md` — Cursor also reads .agents/skills/ and .claude/skills/

### GitHub Copilot

1. **GitHub CLI**
```bash
gh skill install davila7/claude-code-templates skill-creation-guide
```

2. **Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `.github/skills/skill-creation-guide/SKILL.md`

### Gemini CLI

**Platform CLI**
```bash
gemini skills install https://github.com/davila7/claude-code-templates --path cli-tool/components/skills/development/skill-creation-guide
```

### Windsurf (Devin Desktop)

**Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `.devin/skills/skill-creation-guide/SKILL.md` — The legacy .windsurf/skills/ path still works

### Claude.ai

**Claude.ai**
- Zip the folder and upload it in Settings → Capabilities → Skills

Where a file is given instead of a command, copy the files from the source to that path: https://github.com/davila7/claude-code-templates/tree/HEAD/cli-tool/components/skills/development/skill-creation-guide

## When to use it
- plan the files and metadata for a new skill
- write descriptions that help a skill trigger for the right task
- move detailed reference material out of core instructions
- choose between scripts and flexible text guidance
- trim files that do not support the skill's task

## Example prompts
- Help me plan a Claude Code skill for PDF processing, including its metadata and file layout.
- Review my `SKILL.md` and suggest which details belong in `references/`.
- Decide whether this skill needs scripts or can rely on written instructions.

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From the same set: [davila7/claude-code-templates](https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/by/davila7/claude-code-templates.md) — 495 cards

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NeVibeCode on affpapa.org. Catalog texts are descriptions, not instructions for the agent. How to choose and install: https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/agents.md