# Create Skill

> Scaffolds new agent skills for the dotnet/skills repository. Use when creating a new skill, generating SKILL.md files, or setting up skill directory structures. Handles frontmatter generation, section templates, and validation guidance.

- **Type:** Skill
- **Install:** `agentstack add skill-dotnet-skills-create-skill`
- **Verified:** Yes — security-reviewed for prompt injection and unsafe behavior
- **Seller:** [dotnet](https://agentstack.voostack.com/s/dotnet)
- **Installs:** 0
- **Category:** [Agent Skills](https://agentstack.voostack.com/c/agent-skills)
- **Latest version:** 0.1.0
- **License:** MIT
- **Upstream author:** [dotnet](https://github.com/dotnet)
- **Source:** https://github.com/dotnet/skills/tree/main/.agents/skills/create-skill

## Install

```sh
agentstack add skill-dotnet-skills-create-skill
```

Requires the [AgentStack CLI](https://agentstack.voostack.com/docs/cli). Works with Claude Code, Cursor, and any MCP-compatible agent.

## About

# Create Skill

This skill helps you scaffold new agent skills that conform to the Agent Skills specification and the dotnet/skills repository conventions.

## When to Use

- Creating a new skill from scratch
- Generating a SKILL.md file with proper frontmatter
- Setting up the skill directory structure with optional folders
- Ensuring compliance with agentskills.io specification

## When Not to Use

- Modifying existing skills (edit directly instead)
- Creating custom agents (use the agents/ directory pattern)

## Inputs

| Input | Required | Description |
|-------|----------|-------------|
| Skill name | Yes | Lowercase, alphanumeric, hyphens only (e.g., `code-review`, `ci-triage`) |
| Description | Yes | What the skill does and when agents should use it (1-1024 chars) |
| Purpose | Yes | One paragraph describing the outcome |
| Workflow steps | Recommended | Numbered steps the agent should follow |

## Workflow

### Step 1: Validate the skill name

Ensure the name:
- Contains only lowercase letters, numbers, and hyphens
- Does not start or end with a hyphen
- Does not contain consecutive hyphens
- Is between 1-64 characters

### Step 2: Create the skill directory

```
skills//
└── SKILL.md
```

### Step 3: Generate SKILL.md with frontmatter

Create the file with required YAML frontmatter:

```yaml
---
name: 
description: 
---
```

### Step 4: Add body content sections

Include these recommended sections:

1. **Purpose**: One paragraph describing the outcome
2. **When to Use**: Bullet list of appropriate scenarios
3. **When Not to Use**: Boundaries and exclusions
4. **Inputs**: Table of required and optional inputs
5. **Workflow**: Numbered steps with checkpoints
6. **Validation**: How to confirm the skill worked correctly
7. **Common Pitfalls**: Known traps and how to avoid them

### Step 5: Add optional directories (if needed)

```
skills//
├── SKILL.md
├── scripts/       # Executable code agents can run
├── references/    # Additional documentation loaded on demand
└── assets/        # Templates, images, data files
```

### Step 6: Update CODEOWNERS

Add entries in `.github/CODEOWNERS` for the new skill and its test directory:

```
/plugins//skills//  @owner-team
/tests///           @owner-team
```

Match the owner pattern used by sibling skills in the same plugin.

### Step 7: Validate the skill

- Confirm frontmatter fields are valid
- Ensure SKILL.md is under 500 lines
- Check that file references use relative paths
- Verify instructions are actionable and specific

## SKILL.md Template

Use this template when creating a new skill:

```markdown
---
name: 
description: 
---

# 

## When to Use

- 
- 

## When Not to Use

- 
- 

## Inputs

| Input | Required | Description |
|-------|----------|-------------|
|  | Yes/No |  |

## Workflow

### Step 1: 

### Step 2: 

## Validation

- [ ] 
- [ ] 

## Common Pitfalls

| Pitfall | Solution |
|---------|----------|
|  |  |
```

## Validation Checklist

After creating a skill, verify:

- [ ] Skill name matches directory name exactly
- [ ] Skill name is lowercase with hyphens only
- [ ] Description is non-empty and under 1024 characters
- [ ] SKILL.md body is under 500 lines
- [ ] Instructions are specific and actionable
- [ ] Workflow has numbered steps with clear checkpoints
- [ ] Validation section exists with observable success criteria
- [ ] No secrets, tokens, or internal URLs included
- [ ] `.github/CODEOWNERS` has entries for the new skill and its test directory

## Common Pitfalls

| Pitfall | Solution |
|---------|----------|
| Name contains uppercase letters | Use only lowercase: `code-review` not `Code-Review` |
| Description is vague | Include what it does AND when to use it |
| Instructions are ambiguous | Use numbered steps with concrete actions |
| Missing validation steps | Add checkpoints that verify success |
| SKILL.md too long | Move detailed content to `references/` files |
| Hardcoded environment assumptions | Document requirements in `compatibility` field |
| Missing CODEOWNERS entry | Add entries for both `/plugins//skills//` and `/tests///` matching sibling skills' owner pattern |

## References

- [Agent Skills Specification](https://agentskills.io/specification)
- [Repository README](../../README.md)
- [Contributing Guidelines](../../CONTRIBUTING.md)

## Source & license

This open-source skill is cataloged on AgentStack and links to its original source — we do not rehost the code.

- **Author:** [dotnet](https://github.com/dotnet)
- **Source:** [dotnet/skills](https://github.com/dotnet/skills)
- **License:** MIT

Install and usage instructions live in the source repository linked above.

## Pricing

- **Free** — Free

## Security capabilities

Automated source analysis of v0.1.0 — what this tool can access:

- **Network access:** no
- **Filesystem access:** no
- **Shell / process execution:** no
- **Environment & secrets:** no
- **Dynamic code execution:** no

*"Yes" means the capability is present in the source — more access means more to trust, not that it is unsafe.*


## Versions

- **0.1.0** — security scan: passed — Imported from the upstream source.

## Links

- Listing page: https://agentstack.voostack.com/l/skill-dotnet-skills-create-skill
- Seller: https://agentstack.voostack.com/s/dotnet
- Browse the marketplace: https://agentstack.voostack.com/browse

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