| name | claude-expert |
| description | Expert in Claude prompting, skill creation, hooks management, MCP configuration, and sub-agents. Use when writing prompts, creating Claude Code skills, configuring hooks, setting up MCP servers, creating custom sub-agents, or asking about Claude Code architecture. |
| user-invocable | true |
| argument-hint | ["self-update"] |
Claude Expert Skill
Expert guidance for Claude prompting techniques, Claude Code extensibility, and agent architecture.
Quick Reference
| Topic | File | Use When |
|---|
| Prompting | PROMPTING.md | Writing effective prompts, XML tags, CoT, few-shot |
| Skills | SKILLS.md | Creating or editing Claude Code skills |
| Workflows | WORKFLOWS.md | Building multi-step workflow prompts |
| Commands | COMMANDS.md | Creating /commands for quick invocation |
| Hooks | HOOKS.md | Setting up PreToolUse, validation, notifications |
| MCP | MCP.md | Adding MCP servers, tools, resources |
| Sub-agents | SUBAGENTS.md | Creating custom agents, Task tool config |
Argument Routing
If $ARGUMENTS is "self-update": Read and execute cookbook/self-update.md
Otherwise: Continue with normal skill guidance below.
Core Principles
Prompting
- Use XML tags for structure (
<context>, <instructions>, <constraints>)
- Be explicit rather than implicit
- Specify format to get formatted output
- Provide examples for complex tasks
Skills
- Skills = markdown files that extend Claude's capabilities
- Description is critical for auto-discovery
- Keep SKILL.md < 500 lines, split into reference files
- Use semantic XML tags in content
Hooks
- PreToolUse hooks validate before execution
- Can
block, allow, or ask for confirmation
- Exit codes: 0=allow, 2=block, JSON output for ask
MCP
- Servers defined in
~/.claude/.mcp.json
- Provide external tools and resources
- Use stdio, SSE, or HTTP transport
Sub-agents
- Defined in
.claude/agents/ or ~/.claude/agents/
- YAML frontmatter + markdown instructions
- Can specify model, tools, allowed-tools
Workflows
- Variables at top for constants
- Instructions for rules/constraints
- Step-by-step workflow section
- Report template at end
Commands
- Quick-access prompts in
.claude/commands/
- Can restrict tools and specify model
- Support argument passing
When to Read Reference Files
Read PROMPTING.md when:
- User asks to write a prompt or system message
- Optimizing an existing prompt
- Structuring complex instructions
Read SKILLS.md when:
- Creating a new skill
- Editing skill YAML frontmatter
- Debugging skill discovery
- Understanding cookbook/prompts patterns
Read WORKFLOWS.md when:
- Building multi-step workflow prompts
- Defining variables and instructions
- Creating orchestrated workflows
- Handling parallel execution
Read COMMANDS.md when:
- Creating /command shortcuts
- Setting up prime or install commands
- Understanding command vs skill differences
Read HOOKS.md when:
- Setting up security validation
- Adding notifications or logging
- Configuring PreToolUse patterns
Read MCP.md when:
- Adding external tool servers
- Configuring MCP resources
- Troubleshooting MCP connections
Read SUBAGENTS.md when:
- Creating custom agents
- Configuring agent tools/permissions
- Understanding Task tool options
- Setting up parallel agent execution
- Managing multi-agent safety
