# Claude Code Skill Development

> This skill should be used when the user asks to "create a skill", "write a skill", "build a skill", or wants to add new capabilities to Claude Code. Use when developing SKILL.md files, organizing skill content, or improving existing skills. Do NOT use for plugin development, hook creation, agent creation, or slash command creation — those have dedicated skills.

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

## Install

```sh
agentstack add skill-dwmkerr-claude-toolkit-skill-development
```

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

## About

# Skill Development

Create effective Claude Code skills that are concise, discoverable, and well-structured.

## Quick Reference

You MUST read these references for detailed guidance:

- [Best Practices](./references/best-practices.md) - Official Anthropic guidance
- [Skill Examples](./references/examples.md) - Patterns from real skills
- [Skill Categories & Patterns](./references/patterns.md) - Three categories and five reusable patterns
- [Testing Guide](./references/testing.md) - Triggering, functional, and performance testing
- [Troubleshooting](./references/troubleshooting.md) - Common problems and fixes
- [The Complete Guide to Building Skills for Claude](./references/complete-guide-to-building-skills.md) - Comprehensive Anthropic guide ([source PDF](https://resources.anthropic.com/hubfs/The-Complete-Guide-to-Building-Skill-for-Claude.pdf))

## Before You Start

Define 2-3 concrete use cases before writing anything:

```
Use Case: [Name]
Trigger: User says "[phrase]" or "[phrase]"
Steps:
1. [First action]
2. [Second action]
Result: [What gets produced]
```

Then identify which category your skill falls into — this determines which techniques to use. See [Skill Categories & Patterns](./references/patterns.md).

## Core Principles

1. **Concise is key** - Only add context Claude doesn't already have
2. **Progressive disclosure** - SKILL.md is the overview; details go in `references/`
3. **Write in third person** - "This skill processes..." not "I can help you..."

## Skill Structure

```
skill-name/
├── SKILL.md              # Main instructions ( **No restart needed.** Skill changes take effect immediately - skills are hot-reloaded.

## Checklist

Before finalizing a skill:

- [ ] 2-3 use cases defined with triggers, steps, and results
- [ ] Category identified (document creation, workflow automation, MCP enhancement)
- [ ] Description includes triggers ("when user asks to...")
- [ ] SKILL.md under 500 lines
- [ ] Complex content moved to `references/`
- [ ] Third person throughout
- [ ] No time-sensitive information
- [ ] Consistent terminology
- [ ] Triggering tests pass (obvious + paraphrased requests)
- [ ] Doesn't trigger on unrelated topics

## Source & license

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

- **Author:** [dwmkerr](https://github.com/dwmkerr)
- **Source:** [dwmkerr/claude-toolkit](https://github.com/dwmkerr/claude-toolkit)
- **License:** MIT
- **Homepage:** https://www.skills.sh/dwmkerr/claude-toolkit

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-dwmkerr-claude-toolkit-skill-development
- Seller: https://agentstack.voostack.com/s/dwmkerr
- Browse the marketplace: https://agentstack.voostack.com/browse

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Listed on AgentStack — the marketplace for AI agent skills and MCP servers. Every listing is security-reviewed. Creators keep 70%.