What is a SKILL.md file?

A SKILL.md file is a markdown document containing YAML frontmatter that defines specialized instructions and triggers to extend Claude's capabilities.

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

It is best practice to keep SKILL.md files under 500 lines, using a 'references/' directory for more detailed documentation.

How do I prevent Claude from automatically invoking a skill?

Set the 'disable-model-invocation: true' flag in the YAML frontmatter so the skill only activates when manually called via a slash command.

Can I run shell commands inside a skill?

Yes, you can use dynamic context injection with the !`command` syntax to run shell commands and inject their output before the skill loads.

Where should I store my Claude skills?

Skills can be stored globally in ~/.claude/skills/ for all projects, locally in .claude/skills/ for a specific project, or within a plugin directory.

Skill Writing Assistant

Name: Skill Writing Assistant
Author: cmtkdot

bycmtkdot

0•

Developer Tools

Simplifies the creation and management of Claude Code skills by providing templates, frontmatter guidance, and syntax best practices.

The Skill Writing Assistant empowers developers to extend Claude's core functionality by standardizing the creation of SKILL.md files. It provides comprehensive guidance on frontmatter configuration, dynamic context injection using shell commands, and string substitutions. Whether you are building personal workflow automations or project-specific tools, this skill ensures that new capabilities are structured correctly, making them easier for Claude to discover, load, and execute with precision.

Key Features

01Optimization tips for keeping skill files lean and using external references

02Comprehensive reference for advanced configuration like allowed-tools and context forks

03Guidance on scoping skills at the personal, project, or plugin level

04Standardized SKILL.md template generation with required frontmatter

05Instructions for dynamic context injection using shell command syntax

060 GitHub stars

Use Cases

01Bootstrapping a new custom skill for specialized project workflows

02Learning the correct syntax for string substitutions and dynamic shell execution

03Refactoring existing skills to utilize advanced agent types and forked contexts

What are Skills?·How to Install

Install with 🐟 Skill.Fish

npx skillfish add cmtkdot/claude-development writing-skills

For use in Claude.ai and ChatGPT

Download Skill