Skill Authoring

Skill Authoring

Use this skill when creating or improving an AI agent skill, prompt package, or reusable markdown workflow.

Inputs

• Skill goal, target users, expected trigger phrases, examples, draft markdown, or existing skill folder
• Target providers or compatibility requirements

Steps

1. Clarify the task the skill should handle and when an agent should use it.
2. Write a description that includes the action, domain, and trigger conditions.
3. Keep the body concise: inputs, steps, outputs, and guidelines.
4. Add tags that improve search and filtering.
5. Add provider metadata when the skill is compatible across agents.
6. Move detailed examples or long reference material into reference files when needed.
7. Validate frontmatter, file naming, category placement, and discoverability.
8. Review whether the skill gives useful procedural knowledge rather than generic advice.

Output

Return:

• Improved skill markdown or review notes
• Metadata recommendations
• Trigger and searchability improvements
• Validation issues
• Suggested tests or example prompts

Guidelines

• Prefer concrete workflows over broad principles.
• Avoid bloated skills that consume context without improving execution.
• Make the skill useful to an autonomous agent, not just a human reader.

Source & license

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

• Author: jakesterns
• Source: jakesterns/agent-skills
• License: MIT

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