| name | example-task |
| description | Baseline task skill example for .claude/skills/. Use as a reference template when authoring task skills. Do NOT use for builtin skills -- those go in src/skills/. |
Example Task Skill
A task skill is a session-scoped work instruction used by Claude Code.
Task skills differ from builtin skills: they require minimal frontmatter,
avoid scripts/ directories, and prefer inline examples.
Key Differences from Builtin Skills
| Aspect | Builtin (src/skills/) | Task (.claude/skills/) |
|---|
| Frontmatter | Full metadata block | Optional or minimal |
| scripts/ | Allowed | Not recommended |
| assets/ | Allowed | Not used |
| Body length | Up to 500 lines | Under 200 lines |
| Triggers | Required for routing | Not needed |
Minimal Body-Only Template
When the skill is a simple protocol, omit frontmatter:
# My Task
## Rules
1. Always verify before writing
2. Never skip the lint step
## Steps
1. Read relevant files
2. Apply transformation
3. Verify result
When to Add Frontmatter
Add name + description when:
- The skill should appear in skill listings
- You want the validator to check it by name
- The description serves as discovery hint
Authoring Checklist
