TDD Skill Authoring for Claude FAQs

Question 1

What is a 'skill' in Claude Code?

Accepted Answer

A skill is a specialized reference guide for proven techniques, patterns, or tools that helps future Claude instances find and apply effective approaches to specific tasks.

Question 2

What is the 'Iron Law' of skill creation?

Accepted Answer

The Iron Law states: 'No skill without a failing test first.' This applies to both new skills and edits, ensuring all documentation is verified against actual agent performance.

Question 3

How does this skill optimize for the Claude context window?

Accepted Answer

It provides Claude Search Optimization (CSO) guidelines, focusing on high-density keyword triggers and token-efficient structures to ensure skills load only when needed and consume minimal context.

Question 4

How do subagents assist in the writing process?

Accepted Answer

Subagents act as the 'test runner.' They are used to simulate pressure scenarios where you can observe whether the agent complies with the new instructions or attempts to rationalize its way around them.

Question 5

Why apply TDD to documentation?

Accepted Answer

TDD for documentation ensures that every instruction is necessary. By watching an agent fail a task before writing the skill (Red), you prove the documentation is actually solving a real behavioral problem.

TDD Skill Authoring for Claude

Key Features

Use Cases

TDD Skill Authoring for Claude

Key Features

Use Cases