# Skill Creator > Create Claude Code custom skills with proper structure and metadata. Use when building new skills, setting up skill directories, or packaging skills for distribution. - Skill: `flpbalada/skill-creator` (Agent Skill) - Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add flpbalada/skill-creator` - Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/flpbalada/skill-creator/raw - Safety review: pending - Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex - Category: Coding & Dev Tools - Author: flpbalada (https://skillmd.com/u/flpbalada) - Updated: 2026-09-17 - Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/flpbalada/skill-creator --- # Skill Creator A guide for creating Claude Code custom skills following Anthropic's official guidelines. ## When to Use This Skill - Creating a new Claude Code skill from scratch - Setting up the correct file structure for a skill - Writing skill metadata (frontmatter) - Packaging a skill for distribution - Converting existing documentation into a skill ## Required Structure Every skill needs a directory with at minimum one `Skill.md` file: ``` my-skill/ └── Skill.md ``` For complex skills with additional resources: ``` my-skill/ ├── Skill.md ├── REFERENCE.md # Detailed reference docs └── scripts/ └── helper.py # Executable code (optional) ``` ## Skill.md Format The `Skill.md` file must begin with YAML frontmatter: ```markdown --- name: my-skill-name description: Brief description of what this skill does and when Claude should use it. Maximum 200 characters. --- # Skill Title Your skill content here... ``` ### Required Metadata Fields | Field | Max Length | Purpose | | ------------- | ---------- | -------------------------------------- | | `name` | 64 chars | Human-friendly identifier | | `description` | 200 chars | Tells Claude when to invoke this skill | ### Optional Metadata Fields | Field | Example | Purpose | | -------------- | ---------------------------- | -------------------------- | | `dependencies` | `python>=3.8, pandas>=1.5.0` | Required software packages | ## Progressive Disclosure Structure your skill using progressive disclosure: 1. **Frontmatter** - First level: name and description 2. **Markdown body** - Second level: detailed instructions 3. **REFERENCE.md** - Third level: in-depth documentation Reference additional files in your Skill.md so Claude knows when to access them. ## Executable Code Skills can include executable scripts for advanced functionality: **Supported languages:** - Python (with pandas, numpy, matplotlib) - JavaScript/Node.js - File editing packages - Visualization tools **Important:** Dependencies must be pre-installed. Additional packages cannot be installed at runtime. ## Packaging for Distribution 1. Ensure folder name matches skill name 2. Create a ZIP file of the folder 3. ZIP must contain the skill folder as root (not files directly) **Correct structure:** ``` my-skill.zip └── my-skill/ └── Skill.md ``` **Incorrect structure:** ``` my-skill.zip └── Skill.md # Wrong! Missing parent folder ``` ## Testing Checklist **Before packaging:** - [ ] Skill.md has valid YAML frontmatter - [ ] `name` is ≤64 characters - [ ] `description` is ≤200 characters and clearly explains when to use - [ ] All referenced files exist in correct locations - [ ] No hardcoded secrets or API keys **After enabling:** - [ ] Try prompts that should trigger the skill - [ ] Verify Claude loads the skill (check reasoning) - [ ] Test edge cases and error scenarios ## Best Practices **Do:** - Create focused, single-purpose skills - Write specific descriptions for accurate invocation - Include example inputs and outputs - Test incrementally after each change - Follow open standards (agentskills.io) **Avoid:** - One massive skill that does everything - Vague descriptions that confuse Claude - Hardcoding sensitive information - Skipping the testing phase --- ## Starter Templates ### Template 1: Documentation/Guide Skill ```markdown --- name: my-guide description: Apply [topic] best practices and guidelines. Use when working on [context] or need guidance about [subject]. --- # [Topic] Guide Brief introduction to what this guide covers. ## When to Use - [Use case 1] - [Use case 2] - [Use case 3] ## Core Principles ### Principle 1: [Name] Explanation and examples. ### Principle 2: [Name] Explanation and examples. ## Step-by-Step Process 1. **[Step name]** - Description 2. **[Step name]** - Description 3. **[Step name]** - Description ## Examples ### Good Example \`\`\` [code or text example] \`\`\` ### Bad Example \`\`\` [code or text example] \`\`\` ## Common Mistakes - [Mistake 1] - How to avoid - [Mistake 2] - How to avoid ``` ### Template 2: Code Generation Skill ```markdown --- name: generate-something description: Generate [type of code] following project conventions. Use when creating new [components/modules/files] or need boilerplate for [context]. --- # [Type] Generator Creates [type of code] with consistent structure and patterns. ## When to Use - Creating new [component type] - Need boilerplate for [context] - Setting up [feature type] ## Generated Structure \`\`\` [directory structure] \`\`\` ## Required Inputs | Input | Description | Example | | ----- | ------------- | ------------- | | Name | [description] | `MyComponent` | | Type | [description] | `form` | ## Output Format ### [File 1] \`\`\`[language] // Template with placeholders [code template] \`\`\` ### [File 2] \`\`\`[language] [code template] \`\`\` ## Conventions - [Convention 1] - [Convention 2] - [Convention 3] ## Customization Options - **[Option 1]**: [description] - **[Option 2]**: [description] ``` ### Template 3: Analysis/Review Skill ```markdown --- name: analyze-something description: Analyze [subject] for [purpose]. Use when reviewing [context], investigating [issues], or evaluating [criteria]. --- # [Subject] Analyzer Systematic analysis of [subject] to identify [outcomes]. ## When to Use - Reviewing [context] - Investigating [type of issues] - Evaluating [criteria] - Before [action/decision] ## Analysis Framework ### Phase 1: [Name] - [ ] Check [item] - [ ] Verify [item] - [ ] Review [item] ### Phase 2: [Name] - [ ] Examine [item] - [ ] Test [item] - [ ] Validate [item] ### Phase 3: [Name] - [ ] Assess [item] - [ ] Measure [item] - [ ] Document [item] ## Evaluation Criteria | Criteria | Weight | Description | | ------------ | ------ | ------------- | | [Criteria 1] | High | [Description] | | [Criteria 2] | Medium | [Description] | | [Criteria 3] | Low | [Description] | ## Output Template \`\`\`markdown ## Analysis Summary **Subject:** [what was analyzed] **Date:** [date] ### Findings 1. [Finding 1] 2. [Finding 2] ### Recommendations - [Recommendation 1] - [Recommendation 2] ### Risk Level [Low/Medium/High] - [justification] \`\`\` ## Red Flags - [Red flag 1] - indicates [problem] - [Red flag 2] - indicates [problem] ``` --- ## Resources - [Official Guide](https://support.claude.com/en/articles/12512198-how-to-create-custom-skills) - [Skill Templates Repository](https://github.com/anthropics/skills/tree/main/skills) - [Open Standards](https://agentskills.io)