tools-only Output Patterns
Use these patterns when skills need to produce consistent, high-quality output.
NOTE: These patterns are examples. Skills support string substitutions ($ARGUMENTS, $N, ${CLAUDE_SESSION_ID}) and dynamic context injection (`!`command``) for even more powerful output customization. See main SKILL.md for details.
SOURCE: Based on Anthropic skill-creator examples (commit 69c0b1a) and skill design best practices.
Template Pattern
Provide templates for output format. Match the level of strictness to your needs.
For strict requirements (like API responses or data formats):
## Report structure
ALWAYS use this exact template structure:
# [Analysis Title]
## Executive summary
[One-paragraph overview of key findings]
## Key findings
- Finding 1 with supporting data
- Finding 2 with supporting data
- Finding 3 with supporting data
## Recommendations
1. Specific actionable recommendation
2. Specific actionable recommendation
For flexible guidance (when adaptation is useful):
## Report structure
Here is a sensible default format, but use your best judgment:
# [Analysis Title]
## Executive summary
[Overview]
## Key findings
[Adapt sections based on what you discover]
## Recommendations
[Tailor to the specific context]
Adjust sections as needed for the specific analysis type.
Examples Pattern
For skills where output quality depends on seeing examples, provide input/output pairs:
## Commit message format
Generate commit messages following these examples:
**Example 1:**
Input: Added user authentication with JWT tokens
Output:
feat(auth): implement JWT-based authentication
Add login endpoint and token validation middleware
**Example 2:**
Input: Fixed bug where dates displayed incorrectly in reports
Output:
fix(reports): correct date formatting in timezone conversion
Use UTC timestamps consistently across report generation
Follow this style: type(scope): brief description, then detailed explanation.
Examples help Claude understand the desired style and level of detail more clearly than descriptions alone.