skill-authoring
Creates and structures SKILL.md files for AI coding agents, including YAML frontmatter, trigger phrases, directive instructions, decision trees, code examples, and verification checklists. Use when the user asks to write a new skill, create a skill file, author agent capabilities, generate skill documentation, or define a skill template for Claude Code agents.
Profile →npx skills add rohitg00/skillkit --skill skill-authoring --agent codex
Same command for any agent — swap --agent for claude-code, cursor, copilot.
Weekly change comes from our own snapshots, not the repository page — it measures attention, not adoption.
# Skill Authoring Guide You are authoring a SKILL.md for an AI coding agent. A well-written skill provides clear, actionable guidance that agents can follow consistently. ## Core Principle **A skill's description triggers it; the body teaches it.** The description tells the agent WHEN to use the skill. The content tells the agent HOW to execute it. ## Skill Anatomy ### SKILL.md Structure ```markdown --- name: [lowercase-hyphenated-name] description: [Concrete actions + "Use when..." clause] version: [Semantic version] triggers: - [keyword 1] - [keyword 2] tags: - [tag 1] --- # [Skill Title] [Introduction paragraph explaining purpose] ## Core Principle **[Single most important rule in bold]** ## [Main Content Sections] ## [Decision Points] ## [Verification Checklist] ``` ### Frontmatter Fields | Field | Required | Constraints | |-------|----------|-------------| | name | Yes | Lowercase alphanumeric + hyphens, 1–64 chars | | description | Yes | Must include "Use when..." clause; 1–1024 chars | | version | Yes | Semantic version (e.g. `1.0.0`) | | triggers | Recommended | Natural-language phrases that activate the skill | | tags | Recommended | Categorization tags | ## Writing Effect
- Core Principle
- Skill Anatomy
- SKILL.md Structure
- Frontmatter Fields
- Writing Effective Triggers
- Trigger Guidelines
- Writing Skill Content
- Voice and Tone
- Structure Guidelines
- Directive Language
- Content Patterns
- Decision Trees
- Process Steps
- Code Examples
What does the skill-authoring skill do?
Creates and structures SKILL.md files for AI coding agents, including YAML frontmatter, trigger phrases, directive instructions, decision trees, code examples, and verification checklists. Use when the user asks to write a new skill, create a skill file, author agent capabilities, generate skill documentation, or define a skill template for Claude Code agents.
How do I install it?
Run `npx skills add rohitg00/skillkit --skill skill-authoring --agent claude-code` — it drops the skill into your project so the agent can pick it up. Swap the --agent value for codex, cursor or copilot if you use one of those.
Where does this skill come from?
From rohitg00/skillkit, a repository with 1,422 stars. We read it straight from the repository tree rather than a submitted listing, so what you see here is what is actually published.
Is a popular skill a good skill?
Not necessarily. Stars measure attention, not adoption — a repository can trend for a week and be abandoned. That is why we show the weekly change from our own snapshots next to the total, instead of a single flattering number.