| name | ai-workbench-powershell |
| description | Use this skill to write, debug, or explain PowerShell scripts and Windows automation. Triggers include: 'write a PowerShell script', 'automate this with PS', 'debug this script', 'why is this failing', 'WMI query', 'Windows admin', 'registry', 'manage services', 'idempotent script', 'PowerShell module', 'ps1', or any request for Windows system administration via scripting. Do NOT use for GitHub Actions CI/CD pipelines — use ai-workbench-cicd for that. |
AI Workbench PowerShell & Windows
PowerShell automation, scripting, and Windows system administration. This skill writes, debugs, and explains PowerShell scripts — from one-liners to multi-function modules.
When to invoke
Use this skill when you need to:
- Write a PowerShell script to automate a task
- Debug a script that isn't working
- Administer a Windows machine or environment (users, services, registry, WMI)
- Convert a manual process into a repeatable automation
- Understand what an existing PowerShell script does before running it
What it does
- Script authoring — writes clean, commented PowerShell 7 scripts with error handling and logging
- Debugging — diagnoses why a script fails; identifies scope, type coercion, and pipeline errors
- System administration — manages Windows services, registry keys, file system, users, and WMI/CIM queries
- Automation design — converts manual step lists into idempotent scripts with dry-run support
- Script explanation — reads an unfamiliar script and explains what it does in plain language
Key behaviors
- PowerShell 7 first — uses modern PS7 syntax; notes PS5.1 compatibility issues when relevant
- Idempotent by default — scripts can be run multiple times without side effects
- Error handling — always includes
try/catch and meaningful error messages
-WhatIf discipline — destructive operations include -WhatIf flag support- Security-aware — never hardcodes credentials; uses
SecureString and credential files correctly
Output formats
- Complete PowerShell script (.ps1)
- Inline fix with explanation of the bug
- Plain-language explanation of an existing script
- Step-by-step automation design
Scope
This skill covers PowerShell scripting and Windows administration. For CI/CD and GitHub Actions, use AI Workbench CI/CD. For security auditing, use AI Workbench Security.
