| name | arcana-export-zip |
| description | Export a Claude Code skill as a ZIP file for upload to claude.ai web interface. Analyzes the skill, bundles dependencies, transforms frontmatter, and creates a self-contained ZIP. Trigger phrases: "export for claude.ai", "create ZIP", "export skill", "download skill".
|
Arcana Export ZIP: Export for claude.ai
Export a Claude Code skill as a ZIP file for upload to claude.ai.
Path Convention
{PLUGIN_ROOT} = This plugin's root directory (where plugin.json lives)
What This Does
- Analyzes the skill to understand what it does
- Identifies all files the skill needs
- Transforms frontmatter (strips CC-only fields)
- Validates for API compatibility
- Creates a self-contained ZIP
Workflow
Step 1: Analyze the Skill
Read {PLUGIN_ROOT}/lib/patterns/skill-analysis.md for guidance.
- Read the SKILL.md - Understand what it does
- Explore the skill directory - Find supporting files
- Trace dependencies - Find referenced files (see
{PLUGIN_ROOT}/lib/patterns/dependency-resolution.md)
Build a file manifest of everything to bundle.
Step 2: Transform Frontmatter
Read {PLUGIN_ROOT}/lib/patterns/frontmatter-transform.md for guidance.
- Extract YAML frontmatter from SKILL.md
- Remove Claude Code-only fields:
allowed-tools
hooks
context
agent
model
user-invocable
disable-model-invocation
- Keep:
name, description, version
Step 3: Validate
Read {PLUGIN_ROOT}/lib/references/validation-rules.md for rules.
Check:
- Name: ≤64 chars, lowercase/numbers/hyphens, no "claude"/"anthropic"
- Description: 1-1024 chars, non-empty, no XML tags
If validation fails:
- Report the specific issue
- Suggest a fix
- Ask user how to proceed (don't auto-fix)
Step 4: Prepare Files
- Create a temp directory
- Write the transformed SKILL.md
- Copy all dependency files, preserving relative paths
Step 5: Create ZIP
Use the zip tool with your file manifest:
python3 "{PLUGIN_ROOT}/lib/tools/zip_skill.py" \
--name {skill-name} \
--output ~/Downloads/{skill-name}.zip \
--base-path {temp-directory} \
{file1} {file2} {file3} ...
Step 6: Report Result
Export complete!
Skill: my-skill
Output: ~/Downloads/my-skill.zip
Files: 5 files bundled
To upload to claude.ai:
1. Go to claude.ai
2. Click Settings → Features → Skills
3. Upload ~/Downloads/my-skill.zip
Example Session
User: Export the hiivmind-corpus-atproto skill
Claude:
- Reading skill at
/path/to/hiivmind-corpus-atproto/SKILL.md...
- This skill provides documentation lookup for AT Protocol.
- Found dependencies:
data/index.md - Documentation index
references/overview.md - Overview document
- Transforming frontmatter (stripping: allowed-tools, model)...
- Validation passed: name OK, description OK
- Creating ZIP with 4 files...
python3 lib/tools/zip_skill.py \
--name hiivmind-corpus-atproto \
--output ~/Downloads/hiivmind-corpus-atproto.zip \
--base-path /tmp/transformed \
SKILL.md data/index.md references/overview.md
Export complete!
Error Handling
| Error | Resolution |
|---|
| SKILL.md not found | Check path, ask user to specify |
| Name validation failed | Suggest alternative name, ask user |
| Missing dependency | Warn and continue, or ask if critical |
| ZIP creation failed | Check disk space, permissions |
Related Patterns
{PLUGIN_ROOT}/lib/patterns/skill-analysis.md - How to analyze skills
{PLUGIN_ROOT}/lib/patterns/dependency-resolution.md - How to find dependencies
{PLUGIN_ROOT}/lib/patterns/frontmatter-transform.md - How to transform
{PLUGIN_ROOT}/lib/patterns/validation.md - How to validate