skill-creator-patterns

name	skill-creator-patterns
description	Common patterns and architectures for building Claude Code skills. Use when deciding how to structure a skill, choosing between skill patterns, designing multi-step workflows, or when the user asks "what kind of skill should I build" or "how should I structure this skill".

Skill Patterns

Choose the pattern that best fits your skill's purpose. Most skills use one primary pattern, sometimes combining elements from others.

Pattern 1: Sequential Workflow

Use when: Users need multi-step processes executed in a specific order.

Key techniques:

• Explicit step ordering with numbered steps
• Dependencies between steps (output of step N feeds step N+1)
• Validation gates between steps
• Rollback instructions for failures

Structure:

## Workflow: [Name]

### Step 1: [Action]
[What to do]
Expected output: [What success looks like]

### Step 2: [Action]
Requires: Output from Step 1
[What to do]

### Step 3: [Action]
[What to do]

## Rollback
If Step 2 fails:
1. [Undo Step 1]
2. [Report error]

Real-world examples: deployment pipelines, onboarding workflows, data migration scripts, release processes.

Pattern 2: Reference Knowledge

Use when: Claude needs domain expertise to apply during regular work.

Key techniques:

• Core principles up front
• Decision tables for common choices
• Code examples showing correct vs incorrect patterns
• Anti-patterns section with WRONG/CORRECT comparisons