How do I install the Update Instructions skill?

Run npx skillmds@latest add majiayu000/update-instructions in your terminal (requires Node.js), paste this page's agent-chat prompt into Claude, Cursor, or any MCP-connected agent, or download the SKILL.md file and copy it into your agent's skills directory.

Is Update Instructions safe to use?

This skill has not completed SkillMD's automated safety review yet. Independent scanners report: SkillSpector: CAUTION, Skill Scanner: PASS. Capability flags: docs only. SkillMD never runs a skill's scripts for you; review the SKILL.md before installing.

Which AI agents work with Update Instructions?

This skill is tagged as working with Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex. SKILL.md is an open format, so most agents that read a skills directory can load it too.

Is Update Instructions free to use?

Yes. Installing skills from SkillMD is free, and the skill stays under its author's original license.

Who published Update Instructions?

majiayu000 (@majiayu000) published this skill. Their other Agent Skills are listed on their SkillMD profile.

Update Instructions by majiayu000 — Agent Skill

Name: Update Instructions
Rating: 4.2 (5 reviews)
Author: majiayu000

Update Instructions

Smart merge for CLAUDE.md and AGENTS.md instruction files that preserves user customizations while updating SpecWeave sections. Use after plugin refresh, version upgrade, or when instruction files need sync. Parses SW-managed sections and preserves user content.

majiayu000 Updated Sep 9, 2026 567 repo stars

File contents

Update Instructions Skill

Smart merge for CLAUDE.md and AGENTS.md instruction files.

What It Does

Reads existing instruction files (if present)
Parses SW-managed sections (marked with )
Preserves user content (anything between or after SW sections)
Updates SW sections with latest template content
Writes merged result back to file

When to Use

After running specweave refresh-marketplace
After upgrading SpecWeave version (npm update -g specweave)
When CLAUDE.md or AGENTS.md seem outdated
To sync instruction files with latest framework features

Usage

/sw:update-instructions

Or via CLI:

npx specweave update-instructions

How Merge Works

Fresh Install (no existing file)

Creates new file with all SW sections + meta header

Legacy File (no SW markers)

Prepends new SW content, preserves original below separator

Marked File (has SW markers)

Updates SW sections in-place, preserves user content between sections

Section Format

Template sections (in .template files):

<!-- SECTION:rules required -->
## Rules
Content here...
<!-- /SECTION -->

Generated sections (in output files):

<!-- SW:META template="claude" version="1.0.0" sections="header,rules,..." -->

<!-- SW:SECTION:header version="1.0.0" -->
Content...
<!-- SW:END:header -->

User Customization

Add custom content between SW sections or after the last section:

<!-- SW:END:docs -->

## My Custom Section

This will be preserved during updates!

Files Affected

CLAUDE.md - Claude Code instruction file
AGENTS.md - Generic AI tool instruction file

Project-Specific Learnings

Before starting work, check for project-specific learnings:

# Check if skill memory exists for this skill
cat .specweave/skill-memories/update-instructions.md 2>/dev/null || echo "No project learnings yet"

Project learnings are automatically captured by the reflection system when corrections or patterns are identified during development. These learnings help you understand project-specific conventions and past decisions.

---name: update-instructionsdescription: Smart merge for CLAUDE.md and AGENTS.md instruction files that preserves user customizations while updating SpecWeave sections. Use after plugin refresh, version upgrade, or when instruction files need sync. Parses SW-managed sections and preserves user content.--- # Update Instructions Skill Smart merge for CLAUDE.md and AGENTS.md instruction files. ## What It Does 1. **Reads existing instruction files** (if present) 2. **Parses SW-managed sections** (marked with ``) 3. **Preserves user content** (anything between or after SW sections) 4. **Updates SW sections** with latest template content 5. **Writes merged result** back to file ## When to Use - After running `specweave refresh-marketplace` - After upgrading SpecWeave version (`npm update -g specweave`) - When CLAUDE.md or AGENTS.md seem outdated - To sync instruction files with latest framework features ## Usage ``` /sw:update-instructions ``` Or via CLI: ```bash npx specweave update-instructions ``` ## How Merge Works ### Fresh Install (no existing file) Creates new file with all SW sections + meta header ### Legacy File (no SW markers) Prepends new SW content, preserves original below separator ### Marked File (has SW markers) Updates SW sections in-place, preserves user content between sections ## Section Format Template sections (in `.template` files): ```markdown  ## Rules Content here...  ``` Generated sections (in output files): ```markdown   Content...  ``` ## User Customization Add custom content **between** SW sections or **after** the last section: ```markdown  ## My Custom Section This will be preserved during updates! ``` ## Files Affected - `CLAUDE.md` - Claude Code instruction file - `AGENTS.md` - Generic AI tool instruction file ## Project-Specific Learnings **Before starting work, check for project-specific learnings:** ```bash # Check if skill memory exists for this skill cat .specweave/skill-memories/update-instructions.md 2>/dev/null || echo "No project learnings yet" ``` Project learnings are automatically captured by the reflection system when corrections or patterns are identified during development. These learnings help you understand project-specific conventions and past decisions.

Frequently asked questions