# Sandy Skill Builder > Create custom skills for Sandy - reusable workflows, templates, and procedures. Use when you want to create a new skill for ADHD management, productivity, research, coding, or any repetitive task. Skills are stored in soul/data/skills/custom/ and can be activated on demand. Use when this capability is needed. - Skill: `tomevault-io/sandy-skill-builder` (Agent Skill, multi-file: 2 files) - Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add tomevault-io/sandy-skill-builder` - Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/tomevault-io/sandy-skill-builder/raw - Safety review: pending - Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex - Category: Research & Search - Author: tomevault-io (https://skillmd.com/u/tomevault-io) - Updated: 2026-09-17 - Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/tomevault-io/sandy-skill-builder --- # Sandy Skill Builder Create custom skills to extend Sandy's capabilities with your own workflows, templates, and domain-specific knowledge. ## What Are Skills? Skills are **reusable instruction sets** that Sandy can load and follow. Think of them as: - Custom workflows (morning routine, medication tracker) - Templates (how to research a topic, how to organize files) - Domain knowledge (your specific needs and preferences) - Procedures (step-by-step guides for complex tasks) ## Skill Structure ``` soul/data/skills/custom/ └── your-skill-name/ └── SKILL.md # Instructions and content ``` **SKILL.md format:** ```markdown --- name: your-skill-name description: What this skill does and when to use it --- # Skill Title ## Purpose What this skill helps with ## When to Use - Trigger condition 1 - Trigger condition 2 ## Instructions Step-by-step guide or reference material ## Examples Example usage: - "Activate my morning routine skill" - "Use the research assistant skill for ADHD sleep strategies" ``` ## Creating a Skill ### Step 1: Define the Skill Ask yourself: - **What repetitive task** do I want help with? - **When should Sandy** use this skill? - **What instructions** does Sandy need? ### Step 2: Use the create_skill Tool Sandy will: 1. Ask you to name the skill 2. Ask for the description (when to use it) 3. Ask for the content (instructions) 4. Create the SKILL.md file 5. Confirm creation ### Step 3: Test the Skill Activate it: - "Use my [skill-name] skill" - "Activate skill [skill-name]" - "Help me with [skill-name]" ## Examples of Useful Skills ### 1. Research Assistant ```markdown --- name: research-assistant description: Conduct web research and provide structured summaries. Use when user asks to research a topic, find information, or gather data. --- # Research Assistant ## Purpose Help user research topics with structured approach ## Research Process 1. **Clarify scope**: Ask user what specific aspects to research 2. **Search broadly**: Use web_search for initial information 3. **Deep dive**: Use web_fetch on most relevant sources 4. **Synthesize**: Create structured summary ## Output Format - **Quick Summary** (2-3 sentences) - **Key Findings** (bullet points) - **Sources** (links with brief context) - **Recommendations** (actionable next steps) ## When to Delegate to Research Agent For complex research (>10 sources needed, analysis required): - Spawn research-agent instead - Agent works in background - Reports back with comprehensive findings ``` ### 2. Morning Routine ```markdown --- name: morning-routine description: Guide user through ADHD-friendly morning startup routine. Use when user says "start my morning routine" or mentions struggling with mornings. --- # Morning Routine ## ADHD Considerations - Body doubling: Stay with user throughout - Micro-steps: Break each task into tiny actions - No shame: If they get stuck, adjust, don't judge ## Routine Steps 1. **Check in** (1 min) - "Good morning. How did you sleep?" - Note energy level: High/Medium/Low 2. **Hydrate** (2 mins) - "Drink a glass of water" - Wait for confirmation 3. **Medication check** (1 min) - "Have you taken your medication?" - If no: "Want me to remind you in 15 minutes?" 4. **Choose focus task** (3 mins) - List today's top 3 priorities - Ask: "Which one feels most doable right now?" - Break chosen task into first 5-minute micro-step 5. **Body double** (25 mins) - "I'm here with you. Let's do that first micro-step together." - Check in every 5 minutes - Celebrate when done ## Emergency Protocol If user is stuck/paralyzed: - Lower bar: "Just sit up in bed. That's it." - Smaller step: "Just open your laptop. Don't do anything else." - Validation: "Executive dysfunction is real. Let's work with it, not against it." ``` ### 3. File Organizer ```markdown --- name: file-organizer description: Organize files and folders using systematic approach. Use when user mentions messy files, wants to organize a folder, or needs help with digital clutter. --- # File Organizer ## Before Starting 1. **Ask**: Which folder to organize? 2. **Ask**: What categories make sense for their workflow? 3. **Set expectations**: "This might take time. Want me to spawn a file-agent to work on this in background?" ## Organization Process 1. **Inventory**: List all files in target directory 2. **Categorize**: Sort into logical groups - By type: Documents, Images, Code, Archives - By project: Project A, Project B, Archive - By date: 2024-Q1, 2024-Q2, etc. 3. **Create structure**: Make directories 4. **Move files**: Organize into folders 5. **Document**: Create README in organized folder explaining structure ## For Large Jobs Delegate to file-agent: - Spawns agent in background - Agent organizes files - Reports back with summary - User can continue chatting with Sandy ## Safety - Never delete files (only organize) - Create backups of critical folders - Ask before moving large batches (>50 files) ``` ## Skill Naming Guidelines **Format:** lowercase-with-hyphens **Good names:** - `morning-routine` - `research-assistant` - `medication-tracker` - `file-organizer` - `focus-techniques` **Bad names:** - `Morning Routine` (has spaces) - `my_skill` (underscores) - `Skill1` (not descriptive) - `Morning-Routine-Skill` (redundant) ## Activating Skills **Commands:** - "Use my [skill-name] skill" - "Activate [skill-name]" - "Help me with [skill-name]" - "Load the [skill-name] skill" **What happens:** 1. Sandy reads SKILL.md 2. Loads instructions into context 3. Guides user through skill workflow 4. Follows skill-specific procedures ## Managing Skills **List all skills:** ```bash ls -la soul/data/skills/custom/ ``` **Delete a skill:** ```bash rm -rf soul/data/skills/custom/[skill-name]/ ``` **Edit a skill:** Edit the SKILL.md file directly with your preferred editor **Share skills:** Skills are just text files - you can: - Copy SKILL.md to share with others - Version control with git - Backup to cloud storage ## Best Practices **Keep skills focused:** - One skill = one workflow or domain - Don't try to create "everything skill" - Break complex workflows into multiple skills **Write for your future self:** - Be specific about your preferences - Include your ADHD-specific needs - Reference your learned patterns **Test before relying:** - Activate skill and test it - Refine based on what works - Update instructions as needed **Iterate:** - Skills can be updated anytime - Keep what works, remove what doesn't - Add new skills as new needs arise ## Examples for User **You might create:** - `evening-wind-down` - ADHD-friendly bedtime routine - `meeting-prep` - How to prepare for meetings - `email-zero` - Inbox management workflow - `exercise-motivator` - Body doubling for workouts - `project-breakdown` - Turning big projects into tasks - `cooking-skill` - Simple meal prep guidance - `travel-checklist` - Packing and trip planning ## Creating Your First Skill Just tell Sandy: **"Create a skill"** Sandy will guide you through: 1. Choosing a name 2. Writing a description 3. Defining the content 4. Testing it Start with something simple for your first skill! --- > Converted and distributed by [TomeVault](https://tomevault.io/claim/jl-grey-man) — claim your Tome and manage your conversions.