| name | codexkit-skill-template |
| description | Reference implementation of a v2 CodexKit skill. Copy this folder as a starting point for new skills. Demonstrates all 10 required sections, 4C verification, and the tier-2 folder structure. |
| version | 1.0.0 |
| category | knowledge |
Skill Template (Exemplar)
This is a working reference skill. Copy the entire codexkit-skill-template/ folder and rename it to create a new skill.
When to Use
- When creating a brand-new CodexKit skill from scratch
- When upgrading an existing skill to the v2 format
- When reviewing whether a skill meets the quality bar
Procedure
Step 1 — Define the Intent
Write a clear, one-sentence purpose. Answer: "After running this skill, the user will have ___."
Step 2 — Map the Domain
Identify the 3–5 key frameworks or standards that professionals use in this domain. Use the Deep Research Prompt to generate domain knowledge if needed.
Step 3 — Write the Procedure
Break the workflow into 4–7 steps. Each step should produce a concrete, visible output — not just "think about X."
Step 4 — Add Verification
Write domain-specific 4C questions. The Consequence question is the most important: "If this output were used immediately, what could go wrong?"
Step 5 — Document Edge Cases
List situations where the skill's default approach breaks down. For each, provide a mitigation or fallback.
Inputs
| Input | Required | Format |
|---|
| Skill domain description | Yes | Free text — the problem space this skill serves |
| Target audience | Yes | Who will consume the output (developers, managers, executives) |
| Existing materials | Recommended | Any templates, standards, or examples to build from |
Output
A complete skill folder with:
SKILL.md following v2 format (10 sections)
agents/openai.yaml with interface block
CHANGELOG.md initialized at v1.0.0
Quality Criteria
Verification (4C)
| Check | Question |
|---|
| Correctness | Does the skill's procedure match established domain frameworks? |
| Completeness | Are all 10 required sections present and substantive (not placeholder)? |
| Context-fit | Would the skill produce useful output for its stated audience? |
| Consequence | If a contributor copied this skill as-is, what would they get wrong? |
Edge Cases
- Skill spans multiple domains — Split into separate skills. One skill = one task.
- No established framework exists — Document the decision rationale in Procedure. Use first-principles reasoning instead of citing standards.
- Output format varies by context — Provide 2–3 output templates and add selection criteria.
Examples
Good: A skill with 6 procedure steps where each step ends with "Produce: {specific table/section}." The 4C questions reference domain-specific metrics (e.g., "Does the NPS calculation exclude neutral responses?").
Bad: A skill with a single step "Analyze the data and produce a report." Verification says "Check if it's correct." No edge cases listed.
Definition of Done
Changelog
- v1.0.0 — Initial release as exemplar for 5-Layer Skill Framework