skill-creator

name	skill-creator
description	Create or update agent skills. Use when the user wants to create a new skill, improve an existing skill, or convert instructions into a reusable skill. Triggers on mentions of creating skills, SKILL.md, or agent skills.

Skill Creator

Write effective, concise agent skills.

Skill Structure

skill-name/
├── SKILL.md          (required — frontmatter + instructions)
├── scripts/          (optional — executable code)
├── references/       (optional — docs loaded into context as needed)
└── assets/           (optional — templates, images, fonts used in output)

Skill Creation Workflow

Step 1: Gather Requirements

Ask the user:

• What task or workflow does this skill cover?
• What triggers should activate it? (keywords, file types, actions)
• Does it need scripts, reference docs, or asset files?

Step 2: Initialize the Skill

Run {baseDir}/scripts/init_skill.py <name> --path .vera/skills [--resources scripts,references,assets] to scaffold the skill directory with a SKILL.md template.

Step 3: Write SKILL.md

Frontmatter

---
name: my-skill-name
description: What it does and when to use it. Include trigger scenarios.
---

• name: lowercase, hyphens only, max 64 chars
• description: max 1024 chars. Include WHAT it does and WHEN to trigger it. This is the only thing Claude sees before loading the skill — all trigger info goes here, not in the body.

Body Guidelines

• Write for an AI agent, not a human.
• Use imperative form: "Run X", "Parse the output".
• Keep under 500 lines. Split to references/ if needed.
• Only include knowledge Claude doesn't already have.
• Prefer concise examples over verbose explanations.
• No extraneous files (README.md, CHANGELOG.md, etc.).

Step 4: Add Scripts (if needed)

Place in scripts/. Scripts should be self-contained, handle errors clearly, and be tested before inclusion.

Step 5: Add References (if needed)

Place in references/ for content that would bloat SKILL.md (API schemas, detailed workflows, troubleshooting). Reference from SKILL.md so Claude knows they exist.

Step 6: Validate

Run {baseDir}/scripts/quick_validate.py <path/to/skill> to check:

• Valid frontmatter with name and description
• Naming conventions (lowercase-hyphenated)
• No unexpected frontmatter keys

Step 7: Iterate

Use the skill on real tasks, notice gaps, update, repeat.

Example: Complete Minimal Skill

---
name: tavily-search
description: Web search via Tavily API. Use when the agent needs to search the web for current information. Requires TAVILY_API_KEY.
---

# Tavily Search

AI-optimized web search using Tavily API.

## Usage

Run `{baseDir}/scripts/search.mjs "query"` with options:
- `-n <count>`: Results count (default: 5, max: 20)
- `--deep`: Advanced search (slower, more thorough)
- `--topic <topic>`: `general` (default) or `news`

## Notes
- Requires TAVILY_API_KEY from https://tavily.com

Naming Rules

• Lowercase letters, digits, and hyphens only
• Max 64 characters
• Prefer short, verb-led phrases (e.g., generate-docs, run-tests)
• Folder name must match skill name