skill-tree-generator

name	skill-tree-generator
description	Generate, update, and version a complete skill tree (collection of SKILL.md files) for any JavaScript or TypeScript library. Produces core skills (framework-agnostic) and framework skills (React, Solid, Vue bindings) with dependency linking. Activate when producing skill files from a domain map, updating existing skills after a library version change, or auditing skill accuracy. Takes domain_map.yaml and skill_spec.md from skill-domain-discovery as primary inputs.
metadata	{"version":"3.0","category":"meta-tooling","input_artifacts":["skills/_artifacts/domain_map.yaml","skills/_artifacts/skill_spec.md"],"output_artifacts":["skills/_artifacts/skill_tree.yaml"],"skills":["skill-domain-discovery"]}

Skill Tree Generator

You produce and maintain a tree of SKILL.md files for a library. Every file you create is read directly by AI coding agents across Claude, GPT-4+, Gemini, Cursor, Copilot, Codex, and open-source models. Your output must be portable, concise, and grounded in actual library behavior.

Skill types

Every skill has a type field in its frontmatter. Valid types:

Type	Purpose	Example
core	Framework-agnostic concepts, configuration, patterns	db-core
sub-skill	A focused sub-topic within a core or framework skill	db-core/live-queries
framework	Framework-specific bindings, hooks, components	react-db
lifecycle	Cross-cutting developer journey (getting started, go-live)	electric-quickstart
composition	Integration between two or more libraries	electric-drizzle
security	Audit checklist or security validation	electric-security-check

Agents discover skills via npx @tanstack/intent list and read them directly from node_modules. Framework skills declare a requires dependency on their core skill so agents load them in the right order.

There are two workflows. Detect which applies.

Workflow A — Generate: Build a complete skill tree from a domain map. Workflow B — Update: Diff a library version change and update skills.

---

Workflow A — Generate skill tree

Prerequisites

You need one of:

• skills/_artifacts/domain_map.yaml and skills/_artifacts/skill_spec.md from skill-domain-discovery
• Raw library documentation and source code (run a compressed domain discovery first)

If starting from raw docs without a domain map, run a compressed discovery. This produces lower-fidelity output than the full skill-domain-discovery skill — prefer running that when time permits.

1. Build a concept inventory (every export, config key, constraint, warning)
2. Group into capability domains using work-oriented names (let library complexity drive the count — 2–3 for focused libraries, more for large frameworks)
3. Enumerate 10–20 task-focused skills from the intersection of domains and developer tasks
4. Extract 3+ failure modes per skill (plausible, silent, grounded)
5. Proceed to Step 1 below

Scaffold flow output

If the maintainer uses a custom skills root, replace skills/ in the paths below with their chosen directory.

For the scaffold workflow, produce a single artifact before writing any SKILL.md files:

• skills/_artifacts/skill_tree.yaml

This file enumerates every skill that must be generated in the next step. Do not write SKILL.md files yet unless explicitly asked.

Use this format:

# skills/_artifacts/skill_tree.yaml
library:
  name: '[package-name]'
  version: '[version]'
  repository: '[repo URL]'
  description: '[one line]'
generated_from:
  domain_map: 'skills/_artifacts/domain_map.yaml'
  skill_spec: 'skills/_artifacts/skill_spec.md'
generated_at: '[ISO date]'

skills:
  - name: '[task-focused skill name]'
    slug: '[kebab-case]'
    type: 'core | sub-skill | framework | lifecycle | composition | security'
    domain: '[domain slug]'
    path: 'skills/[path]/SKILL.md'
    package: '[package directory, e.g. packages/client]' # monorepo only — which package this skill belongs to
    description: '[1–2 sentence agent-facing routing key]'
    requires:
      - '[other skill slugs]' # omit if none
    sources:
      - '[Owner/repo]:docs/[path].md'
      - '[Owner/repo]:src/[path].ts'
    subsystems:
      - '[adapter/backend name]' # omit if none
    references:
      -  

Monorepo layout: For monorepos, each skill's path is relative to its package directory (e.g. packages/client/skills/core/SKILL.md). Set the package field so generate-skill knows where to write the file. The domain map artifacts stay at the repo root.

Minimal library fast path

If the domain map contains fewer than 5 skills and no framework adapter packages, skip the core overview + sub-skill registry pattern. Instead:

• Use flat structure — each skill gets its own skills/[skill-name]/SKILL.md
• No router skill — the intent CLI list command is sufficient for discovery
• No core overview skill — go directly to individual skill files
• Each skill is type core (not sub-skill) and stands alone without a parent registry
• Skip Step 2 (core overview) and Step 3 (sub-skills) — go directly to writing individual skills as standalone core skills using Step 3's body format

This avoids unnecessary scaffolding for focused libraries where the overhead of a hierarchical skill tree exceeds the navigation benefit.

Step 1 — Plan the file tree

From the domain map, each entry in the skills list becomes a SKILL.md file. The type field on each skill (core, framework, lifecycle, composition) determines where it goes. Determine the file tree:

Core vs framework decision:

Content	Goes in...
Mental models, concepts, lifecycle	Core
Configuration options and their effects	Core
Type system, generics, inference	Core
Common mistakes that apply to all frameworks	Core
Hooks (useX, createX)	Framework
Components (<Link>, <Outlet>)	Framework
Provider setup and wiring	Framework
SSR/hydration patterns specific to a framework	Framework
Framework-specific gotchas	Framework

If a library has no framework adapters (e.g. Store, DB), produce only core skills.

Framework-integration domain decomposition: If the domain map from skill-domain-discovery contains a single "Framework Integration" domain and the library has separate framework adapter packages, decompose it into per-framework skills co-located with each adapter package. Do not produce a single monolithic framework-integration skill that covers React, Vue, Solid, etc. in one file.

Adapter-heavy domains: When a domain covers multiple backends or adapters with distinct config interfaces (e.g. 5 sync adapters, 3 database drivers), keep one SKILL.md for the shared patterns but produce one reference file per adapter with its specific config, setup, and gotchas. The SKILL.md covers what's common; each references/[adapter].md covers what's unique.

Flat vs nested structure:

Choose the structure that matches how the domain map's skills are shaped.

Use nested ([lib]-core/[domain]/SKILL.md) when:

• Developer tasks cluster cleanly into 3–5 conceptual domains
• The library has a clear core + framework adapter split
• Skills build on each other in a layered way

Use flat (skills/[skill-name]/SKILL.md) when:

• Developer tasks are task-focused and don't nest into domains
• The domain discovery process recommended task-focused skills
• Skills map 1:1 to distinct developer intents with minimal overlap

Both are valid. The domain map's type field and structure will signal which fits. When in doubt, prefer flat — it's simpler and each skill is independently discoverable.

Nested structure:

skills/
├── [lib]-core/                   # Core skill for the library
│   ├── SKILL.md                  # Core overview + sub-skill registry
│   ├── [domain-1]/
│   │   └── SKILL.md             # Core sub-skill
│   ├── [domain-2]/
│   │   └── SKILL.md
│   └── references/              # Optional overflow content
│       └── options.md
├── react-[lib]/                  # React framework skill
│   ├── SKILL.md                  # React overview + sub-skill registry
│   ├── [domain-1]/
│   │   └── SKILL.md             # React-specific sub-skill
│   └── references/
├── solid-[lib]/                  # Solid framework skill (if applicable)
│   └── SKILL.md
├── vue-[lib]/                    # Vue framework skill (if applicable)
│   └── SKILL.md

Flat structure:

skills/
├── [lib]-shapes/                 # Task-focused skill
│   ├── SKILL.md
│   └── references/
│       └── shape-options.md
├── [lib]-auth/                   # Another task skill
│   └── SKILL.md
├── [lib]-proxy/
│   └── SKILL.md
├── [lib]-quickstart/             # Lifecycle skill
│   └── SKILL.md
├── [lib]-go-live/                # Lifecycle skill
│   └── SKILL.md
├── [lib]-drizzle/                # Composition skill
│   └── SKILL.md

Router skill: A router skill (lightweight entry point with a decision table) is optional. If the intent CLI provides list and show commands, agents can discover skills directly without a router. Only create a router skill if the skill set is large enough (15+) that browsing the list is insufficient, or if the nested structure needs an entry point to guide agents to the right sub-skill. Libraries with fewer than 5 skills should never have a router skill.

Source repository layout for npm distribution:

Skills must ship with their respective packages so they're available in node_modules after install. In a monorepo, co-locate skills with the package they document:

packages/
├── [lib]/                        # Core package
│   ├── src/
│   ├── skills/                   # Core skills live here
│   │   ├── [lib]-core/
│   │   │   ├── SKILL.md
│   │   │   └── [domain]/SKILL.md
│   │   └── compositions/        # Composition skills with co-used libs
│   └── package.json             # Add "skills" to files array
├── react-[lib]/                  # React adapter package
│   ├── src/
│   ├── skills/                   # React framework skills live here
│   │   └── react-[lib]/
│   │       └── SKILL.md
│   └── package.json             # Add "skills" to files array

Run npx @tanstack/intent@latest edit-package-json to wire each package's package.json automatically (adds "skills", "bin", and "!skills/_artifacts" to the files array, and adds the bin entry if missing).

Step 2 — Write the core skill

The core skill is the foundational overview for the library. It covers framework-agnostic concepts and contains the sub-skill registry.

Frontmatter:

---
name: '[lib]-core'
description: >
  [1–3 sentences. What this library does and the framework-agnostic
  concepts it provides. Pack with keywords: function names, config
  options, concepts. This is a routing key, not a human summary.]
metadata:
  type: core
  library: '[lib]'
  library_version: '[version this targets]'
---

Body template:

# [Library Name] — Core Concepts

[One paragraph: what this library is, what problem it solves. Factual,
not promotional. Framework-agnostic.]

## Sub-Skills

| Need to... | Read                           |
| ---------- | ------------------------------ |
| [task 1]   | [lib]-core/[domain-1]/SKILL.md |
| [task 2]   | [lib]-core/[domain-2]/SKILL.md |

## Quick Decision Tree

- Setting up for the first time? → [lib]-core/[setup-domain]
- Working with [concept]? → [lib]-core/[concept-domain]
- Debugging [issue]? → [lib]-core/[domain] § Common Mistakes

## Version

Targets [library] v[X.Y.Z].

Step 3 — Write core sub-skills

One SKILL.md per domain. Follow this structure exactly.

Frontmatter:

---
name: '[domain-slug]'
description: >
  [1–3 sentences. What this domain covers AND when to load it. Name
  specific functions, options, or APIs. Dense routing key.]
metadata:
  type: sub-skill
  library: '[lib]'
  library_version: '[version]'
sources:
  - '[repo]:docs/[path].md'
  - '[repo]:src/[path].ts'
---

Body sections — in this order:

1. Setup

Minimum working example for this domain.

• Use the library's core API, not framework-specific hooks
• Real package imports with exact names
• No // ... or [your code here] — complete and copy-pasteable
• If a concept is better explained with a framework hook, reference the framework skill: "For React usage, see react-[lib]/SKILL.md"

2. Core Patterns

2–4 patterns. For each:

• One-line heading: what it accomplishes
• Complete code block using core API
• One sentence of explanation only if not self-explanatory
• No framework-specific code — use core abstractions

3. Common Mistakes

Each failure_mode entry from the domain map becomes a Common Mistake entry in the SKILL file. Minimum 3 entries. Complex domains target 5–6.

Cross-skill failure modes: The domain map may contain failure modes with a skills list naming multiple skill slugs. Write these into every SKILL file whose skill is listed. A developer loading the SSR skill and a developer loading the state management skill both need to see "stale state during hydration" — the same advice must appear in both files. Do not deduplicate across skills at the cost of coverage.

Format:

### [PRIORITY] [What goes wrong — 5–8 word phrase]

Wrong:

```[lang]
// code that looks correct but isn't
```

Correct:

// code that works

[One sentence: the specific mechanism by which the wrong version fails.]

Source: [doc page or source file:line]

Priority levels:
- **CRITICAL** — Breaks in production. Security risk or data loss.
- **HIGH** — Incorrect behavior under common conditions.
- **MEDIUM** — Incorrect under specific conditions or edge cases.

Every mistake must be plausible (an agent would generate it), silent
(no immediate crash), and grounded (traceable to doc or source).

**Failure mode status from domain map:** The domain map may include a
`status` field on failure modes. Handle as follows:
- `active` — Include as a normal Common Mistake entry
- `fixed-but-legacy-risk` — Include with a note: "Fixed in v[X] but
  agents trained on older code may still generate this pattern"
- `removed` — Do not include. The bug is fixed and the pattern is no
  longer relevant.

**4. References** (only when needed)

```markdown
## References

- [Complete option reference](references/options.md)

Create reference files when any of these apply — not just length overflow:

• Length: The skill would exceed 500 lines without them
• Multiple subsystems: The domain covers 3+ independent backends, adapters, or providers with distinct config interfaces. Create one reference file per subsystem (e.g. references/electric-adapter.md, references/query-adapter.md)
• Dense API surface: A topic has >10 distinct API patterns, operators, or option shapes that agents need for implementation. Move the full reference to references/ and keep only the most common 2–3 in the SKILL.md
• Deep validation/schema patterns: If the library has schema validation, type transforms (TInput/TOutput), or similar deep configuration surfaces, give them a dedicated reference file even if they technically fit in the parent skill

Step 4 — Write framework skills

Framework skills build on their core skill. They cover only what is specific to the framework — hooks, components, providers, and framework-specific patterns and mistakes.

Frontmatter:

---
name: 'react-[lib]'
description: >
  [1–3 sentences. React-specific bindings for [library]. Name the hooks,
  components, and providers. Mention React-specific patterns like SSR
  hydration if applicable.]
metadata:
  type: framework
  library: '[lib]'
  framework: react
  library_version: '[version]'
requires:
  - '[lib]-core'
---

Body template:

This skill builds on [lib]-core. Read [lib]-core first for foundational
concepts before applying React-specific patterns.

# [Library Name] — React

## Setup

[React-specific setup: provider, hook wiring, app entry point]

## Hooks and Components

[React hooks and components with complete examples]

## React-Specific Patterns

[Patterns that only apply in React: concurrent features, Suspense
integration, SSR/hydration, etc.]

## Common Mistakes

[Only React-specific mistakes. Do not repeat core mistakes. Examples:
calling hooks outside provider, missing Suspense boundary, hydration
mismatch, etc.]

Framework sub-skills follow the same pattern as core sub-skills but with the framework frontmatter:

---
name: '[domain-slug]'
description: >
  [React-specific description for this domain.]
metadata:
  type: sub-skill
  library: '[lib]'
  framework: react
  library_version: '[version]'
requires:
  - '[lib]-core'
  - '[lib]-core/[domain-slug]'
---
This skill builds on [lib]-core/[domain-slug]. Read the core skill first.

Step 5 — Write cross-domain tension notes

The domain map may contain a tensions section listing design conflicts between domains. For each tension, add a brief note to the Common Mistakes section of every SKILL file whose domain is involved. Format:

### HIGH Tension: [short phrase]

This domain's patterns conflict with [other domain]. [One sentence
describing the pull.] Agents optimizing for [this domain's goal]
tend to [specific mistake] because they don't account for [other
domain's constraint].

See also: [lib]-core/[other-domain]/SKILL.md § Common Mistakes

The cross-reference ensures agents that load one skill are pointed toward the related skill where the other side of the tension lives.

Also check the domain map's cross_references section for non-tension relationships between skills. For each cross-reference, add a "See also" line at the end of the relevant skill's body:

See also: [other-skill]/SKILL.md — [reason]

Step 6 — Write composition skills (if applicable)

Use the compositions entries from domain_map.yaml (populated during skill-domain-discovery Phase 3h) to identify which composition skills to produce.

Composition skills cover how two or more libraries work together. These are framework-specific by default (the integration patterns depend on framework hooks and providers).

Frontmatter:

---
name: '[lib-a]-[lib-b]'
description: >
  [How lib-a and lib-b wire together. Name the specific integration
  points: functions, hooks, patterns.]
metadata:
  type: composition
  library_version: '[version of primary lib]'
requires:
  - '[lib-a]-core'
  - 'react-[lib-a]'
  - '[lib-b]-core'
  - 'react-[lib-b]'
---
This skill requires familiarity with both [lib-a] and [lib-b].
Read their core and framework skills first.

Body structure:

1. Integration Setup — How to wire the two libraries together
2. Core Integration Patterns — 2–4 patterns showing them working in concert
3. Common Mistakes — Mistakes that only occur at the integration boundary

Do not duplicate content from either library's individual skills. Focus exclusively on the seam between them.

Step 7 — Write checklist/audit skills (where applicable)

Some skills don't fit the standard body structure (Setup → Core Patterns → Common Mistakes). Security, go-live, and some lifecycle skills are audit-oriented — the agent runs through a checklist to verify correctness rather than learning patterns. Use the alternative body structure below for these skill types.

When to use the checklist body:

• security type skills — pre-deploy security validation
• lifecycle type skills focused on verification (go-live, migration)
• Any skill where the primary action is "check these things" not "learn these patterns"

Frontmatter:

---
name: security
description: >
  Go-live security validation for [library]. Checks [specific concerns].
metadata:
  type: security
  library: '[lib]'
  framework: react
  library_version: '[version]'
requires:
  - 'react-[lib]'
---

Alternative body template (checklist/audit):

# [Library Name] — [Security | Go-Live | Migration] Checklist

Run through each section before [deploying | releasing | migrating].

## [Category 1] Checks

### Check: [what to verify]

Expected:

```[lang]
// correct configuration or code
```

Fail condition: [what indicates this check failed] Fix: [one-line remediation]

Check: [what to verify]

[same structure]

[Category 2] Checks

[same structure]

Common Security Mistakes

[Wrong/correct pairs specific to this library, same format as Common Mistakes in standard skills]

Pre-Deploy Summary

• [Verification 1]
• [Verification 2]
• [Verification 3]

The key differences from the standard body:
- No "Setup" section — the agent already has the app running
- Checks replace "Core Patterns" — each check is a verification, not a
  teaching pattern
- The summary checklist at the end gives agents a quick pass/fail list
- Common Mistakes section is still present for wrong/correct pairs

### Step 8 — Validate the complete tree

Run every check before outputting. Fix any failures before proceeding.

| Check | Rule |
|-------|------|
| Every skill from domain_map has a SKILL.md | No orphaned skills |
| Core/framework split is clean | No framework hooks in core skills |
| Every framework skill has `requires` | Links to its core skill |
| Framework skill opens with dependency note | "builds on [core]" prose line |
| Every skill under 500 lines | Move excess to references/ |
| Every code block has real imports | Exact package name, correct adapter |
| No concept explanations | No "TypeScript is...", no "React hooks are..." |
| No marketing prose | First body line is heading or dependency note |
| Every code block is complete | Works without modification when pasted |
| Common Mistakes are silent | Not obvious compile errors |
| Common Mistakes are library-specific | Not generic TS/React mistakes |
| Common Mistakes are sourced | Every mistake traceable to doc or source |
| Core skills reference framework skills | "For React usage, see..." |
| Framework skills don't repeat core content | Only framework-specific |
| Composition skills don't repeat individual skills | Only the seam |
| `name` matches directory path | `router-core/search-params` → `router-core/search-params/SKILL.md` |
| `sources` filled in sub-skills | At least one repo:path per sub-skill |
| Cross-skill failures in all relevant files | Failure modes with multiple `skills` appear in each listed SKILL.md |
| Tensions noted in affected skills | Each tension has notes in all involved domain skills |
| Framework domains decomposed per-package | No single skill covering multiple framework adapters |
| Adapter-heavy domains have references | 3+ adapters/backends → one reference file per adapter |
| Dense API surfaces in references | >10 distinct patterns → reference file, not inline |
| Checklist skills use audit body | Security/go-live skills use checklist template, not Setup → Core Patterns → Common Mistakes |

---

## Workflow B — Update existing skills

### Trigger conditions

Run when:
- The library has released a new version
- A maintainer reports skills produce outdated code
- A changelog or migration guide has been published since skill creation
- Issue reports indicate skill content is inaccurate

### Step 1 — Detect staleness

Compare each skill's `library_version` against the current library version.

1. Read changelog entries between the two versions
2. Read migration guide (if one exists)
3. For each skill, check if its `sources` files have changed

Produce a staleness report:

```yaml
# staleness_report.yaml
library: "[name]"
library_version_in_skills: "[old]"
library_version_current: "[new]"

stale_skills:
  - skill: "[skill name]"
    reason: "[what changed]"
    severity: "[BREAKING | DEPRECATION | BEHAVIORAL | ADDITIVE]"
    changelog_entry: "[relevant entry]"
    affected_sections:
      - "[Setup | Core Patterns | Common Mistakes]"

current_skills:
  - skill: "[skill name]"
    reason: "[no changes affect this domain]"

Step 2 — Update stale skills

BREAKING changes:

1. Old pattern becomes a new Common Mistake entry (wrong/correct pair)
2. Update Setup if initialization changed
3. Update Core Patterns if idiomatic approach changed
4. Bump library_version in frontmatter
5. Check both core AND framework skills — breaking changes may affect both

DEPRECATION changes:

1. Add Common Mistake: deprecated API as wrong, replacement as correct
2. Update Core Patterns to use non-deprecated API
3. Bump library_version

BEHAVIORAL changes:

1. Default value changed → add Common Mistake entry
2. Type signature more restrictive → add Common Mistake entry
3. Update affected code blocks
4. Bump library_version

ADDITIVE changes:

1. Evaluate if new feature belongs in existing domain or needs a new skill
2. If existing: add to Core Patterns or references/
3. If new skill needed: create it and update the parent skill's sub-skill registry
4. Bump library_version

Step 3 — Produce a changelog entry

## [date]

### Updated for [library] v[new version]

**Breaking changes:**

- [skill name]: [what changed and why]

**Deprecation updates:**

- [skill name]: [old API] → [new API]

**New skills:**

- [skill name]: [what it covers]

---

Constraints — verify for every file

Check	Rule
Under 500 lines per SKILL.md	Move excess to references/; also create references for content depth
Real imports in every code block	Exact package, correct adapter
No external concept explanations	No "TypeScript is...", no "React hooks are..." — library-specific concepts are fine
No marketing prose	First body line is heading, code, or dependency note
Complete code blocks	Every block works without modification
Common Mistakes are silent	Not obvious compile errors
Common Mistakes are library-specific	Not generic TS/React mistakes
Common Mistakes are sourced	Traceable to doc or source
Core skills are framework-agnostic	No hooks, no components, no providers
Framework skills have requires	Lists core dependency
Framework skills open with dependency note	First prose line references core
Composition skills require all dependencies	Lists all core + framework skills
name matches directory	router-core/search-params → file at that path
library_version in every frontmatter	Which version the skill targets
Cross-skill failures duplicated	Each listed skill gets the failure mode
Tensions cross-referenced	Tension notes in each involved skill point to the other
Skills ship with packages	"skills" in package.json files array
Checklist skills use audit template	Security/go-live skills use checklist body, not standard body

---

Cross-model compatibility

Output is consumed by all major AI coding agents. To ensure consistency:

• Markdown with YAML frontmatter — universally parsed
• No XML tags in generated skill content
• Code blocks use triple backticks with language annotation
• Section boundaries use ## headers
• Descriptions are keyword-packed for routing
• Examples show concrete values, never placeholders
• Positive instructions ("Use X") over negative ("Don't use Y")
• Critical info at start or end of sections (not buried in middle)
• Each SKILL.md is self-contained except for declared requires

---

Output order

When generating a complete skill tree:

1. Core overview SKILL.md — entry point for the library
2. Core sub-skills in domain order
3. Framework overview SKILL.md for each framework
4. Framework sub-skills
5. Composition skills (if applicable)
6. Security skills (if applicable)
7. references/ files for any skill that needs them
8. CHANGELOG.md entry

When updating:

1. staleness_report.yaml
2. Updated SKILL.md files (core then framework)
3. CHANGELOG.md entry

---