create-skill

Guide for creating effective skills using a TDD-based approach. This command treats skill creation as Test-Driven Development applied to process documentation.

• Purpose - Create reusable skills that extend Claude's capabilities

• Output - Complete skill directory with SKILL.md and optional resources

/customaize-agent:create-skill ["skill name"]

Arguments

Optional skill name (e.g., "image-editor", "pdf-processing", "code-review").

Usage Examples

# Create an image editing skill
> /customaize-agent:create-skill image-editor

# Create a database query skill
> /customaize-agent:create-skill bigquery-analysis

# Start the skill creation workflow
> /customaize-agent:create-skill

How It Works

1. Understanding with Concrete Examples: Gathers usage scenarios

   • What functionality should the skill support?

   • How would users invoke this skill?

   • What triggers should activate it?

2. Planning Reusable Contents: Analyzes examples to identify resources

   • Scripts (scripts/) - Executable code for deterministic tasks

   • References (references/) - Documentation to load as needed

   • Assets (assets/) - Templates, images, files used in output

3. Skill Initialization: Creates proper structure

   • SKILL.md with YAML frontmatter (name, description)

   • Resource directories as needed

   • Proper naming conventions (gerund form: "Processing PDFs")

4. Content Development: Writes skill documentation

   • Overview with core principle

   • When to Use section with triggers and symptoms

   • Quick Reference for scanning

   • Implementation details

   • Common Mistakes section

5. TDD Testing Cycle: Applies RED-GREEN-REFACTOR

   • RED: Run scenarios WITHOUT skill, document failures

   • GREEN: Write skill addressing those failures

   • REFACTOR: Close loopholes, iterate until bulletproof

Best Practices

• Start with concrete examples - Understand real use cases before writing

• Apply TDD strictly - No skill without failing tests first

• Keep SKILL.md lean - Under 500 lines, use separate files for heavy reference

• Optimize for discovery - Start descriptions with "Use when..." and include specific triggers

• Name by action - Use gerunds like "Processing PDFs" not "PDF Processor"