Does this skill require external dependencies?

No, the minimal skill template is entirely self-contained and does not require any bundled resources or external scripts to function correctly.

What is the minimum requirement for a Claude Code skill?

A valid skill only requires a single SKILL.md file containing YAML frontmatter with a name and description, followed by a Markdown body.

Can I add resources to this minimal template?

Yes, while this template is designed to be minimal, you can extend it by adding bundled resources, references, or scripts as your skill requirements evolve.

When should I use the minimal skill pattern?

Use this pattern when your skill provides simple guidance or domain-specific knowledge that fits within a single file under 2,000 words.

Minimal Skill Template

Name: Minimal Skill Template
Author: karchtho

bykarchtho

Learning & Documentation

Provides a lean, production-ready template for creating Claude Code skills with minimal overhead.

About

This skill serves as a foundational blueprint for developers looking to build custom Claude Code skills. It demonstrates the essential requirements for a valid skill, focusing on the YAML frontmatter and Markdown body structure without the need for complex bundled resources or external scripts. It is ideal for rapid prototyping or for skills that primarily provide guidance and simple instructions within the 2,000-word limit, ensuring a lightweight footprint for AI-driven workflows.

Key Features

Lean YAML frontmatter configuration
Single-file deployment pattern
0 GitHub stars
Optimized for Claude Code skill discovery
No external dependencies or resources required
Standardized Markdown body structure

Use Cases

Learning the basic structure of Claude Code skills
Rapidly prototyping new skill ideas
Creating simple knowledge-based AI guidance skills

About

Key Features

Lean YAML frontmatter configuration
Single-file deployment pattern
0 GitHub stars
Optimized for Claude Code skill discovery
No external dependencies or resources required
Standardized Markdown body structure

Use Cases

Learning the basic structure of Claude Code skills
Rapidly prototyping new skill ideas
Creating simple knowledge-based AI guidance skills