How do I ensure my skill triggers correctly?

Include specific, concrete phrases in the description field of the YAML frontmatter that match how a user would naturally ask for the task.

How does progressive disclosure work in Claude Code?

It uses a three-level loading system: metadata is always in context, the SKILL.md body loads upon trigger, and bundled resources are accessed only as needed to save tokens.

What is a Claude Code Skill?

A skill is a specialized capability that extends Claude's behavior, providing domain-specific workflows, tool integrations, and procedural knowledge for specific tasks.

What is the ideal length for a SKILL.md file?

Target 1,500 to 2,000 words. If the content becomes too long, move detailed patterns and API references into the 'references/' directory to keep the main skill lean.

When should I use scripts versus reference files?

Use scripts for tasks requiring deterministic reliability or repetitive code execution; use reference files for documentation, schemas, and logic that Claude should 'read' to inform its thinking.

Skill Development for Claude Code

Name: Skill Development for Claude Code
Author: kgadek

bykgadek

Developer Tools

Guides developers through creating, structuring, and optimizing specialized skills for Claude Code plugins using modular design and progressive disclosure.

About

This skill provides a standardized framework for building effective Claude Code skills, transforming Claude from a general agent into a domain-specific specialist. It offers expert guidance on architecting SKILL.md files, managing context through progressive disclosure, and organizing bundled resources like scripts, references, and assets. By following these best practices, developers can ensure their plugins are token-efficient, deterministic, and highly responsive to specific user triggers while maintaining a lean and manageable codebase.

Key Features

Progressive disclosure patterns for efficient context window management
Imperative instruction formatting for improved AI procedural adherence
Standardized SKILL.md generation with optimized YAML frontmatter metadata
Modular organization of scripts, references, and assets for deterministic output
0 GitHub stars
Strategic trigger phrase optimization for precise skill activation

Use Cases

Standardizing plugin development workflows across engineering teams
Architecting new specialized capabilities for custom Claude Code plugins
Refactoring large, complex skill files into lean, reference-based structures

About

Key Features

Progressive disclosure patterns for efficient context window management
Imperative instruction formatting for improved AI procedural adherence
Standardized SKILL.md generation with optimized YAML frontmatter metadata
Modular organization of scripts, references, and assets for deterministic output
0 GitHub stars
Strategic trigger phrase optimization for precise skill activation

Use Cases

Standardizing plugin development workflows across engineering teams
Architecting new specialized capabilities for custom Claude Code plugins
Refactoring large, complex skill files into lean, reference-based structures