skill-creator

name	skill-creator
description	Create new Claude Code skills. Use when the user wants to create a custom skill, slash command, or automation.
argument-hint	<skill-name> [description]

Skill Creator

Help users create new Claude Code skills.

Skill Structure

Skills live in ~/.claude/skills/<skill-name>/ with this structure:

~/.claude/skills/
  <skill-name>/
    skill.md          # Required: skill definition
    scripts/          # Optional: helper scripts
      script.py
      script.sh

skill.md Format

---
name: skill-name
description: Short description for Claude to know when to use this skill.
argument-hint: <arg1> [optional-arg] # Optional: shown in /help
allowed-tools: Bash(pattern), Read # Optional: restrict tool access
---

# Skill Title

Instructions for Claude when this skill is invoked.

## Usage

Document how to use the skill.

## Examples

Show example invocations.

Frontmatter Fields

Field	Required	Description
name	Yes	Skill identifier (lowercase, hyphens)
description	Yes	When Claude should use this skill
argument-hint	No	Usage hint shown in /help
allowed-tools	No	Restrict which tools the skill can use

Handling Secrets

Never try to read secrets from files. If a skill requires an API key or secret:

1. Document the required environment variable in the skill
2. If the secret is missing, tell the user to:
   • Set the environment variable (e.g., export API_KEY=xxx)
   • Restart Claude Code
3. Never attempt to read .env, .zshrc.secret, or similar files

Example section for skills needing secrets:

## API Key

**Do not try to read secrets from files.** If the API key is not available, ask the user to:

1. Set the `YOUR_API_KEY` environment variable
2. Restart Claude Code

Creating the Skill

When the user asks to create a skill:

1. Ask clarifying questions if needed:

   • What should the skill do?
   • Does it need external APIs? (if so, which env var?)
   • Should it have helper scripts?

2. Create the directory: mkdir -p ~/.claude/skills/<name>

3. Write skill.md with:

   • Clear frontmatter
   • Concise instructions
   • Usage examples
   • Secret handling (if applicable)

4. Create helper scripts in scripts/ if needed

5. Test the skill by invoking it: /<skill-name>

Examples

Simple skill (no scripts):

~/.claude/skills/greet/skill.md

Skill with Python script:

~/.claude/skills/image-gen/
  skill.md
  scripts/
    generate.py

Skill with API key:

## API Key

**Do not try to read secrets from files.** If missing, ask user to:

1. Set `OPENAI_API_KEY` environment variable
2. Restart Claude Code

Instructions

When creating a skill:

1. Confirm the skill name and purpose with the user
2. Create ~/.claude/skills/<name>/skill.md
3. Add helper scripts if needed
4. Inform user the skill is ready to use with /<name>