Skill Development

Guide authors to create and refine Claude Code plugin skills with SKILL.md structure.

Updated Jan 30, 2026
One-click install
npx skills add https://github.com/czambr/04-altura --skill skill-development-czambr
Or copy as Structured Prompt for Agent▼
Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: Skill Development
Source: https://github.com/czambr/04-altura/tree/main/.agents/skills/skill-development
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/czambr/04-altura --skill skill-development-czambr

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

What problem does it solve?

Provides a structured blueprint for creating, organizing, and refining Claude Code plugin skills, enabling teams to craft lean, reusable SKILL.md documents and establish progressive disclosure with references and assets for long-term maintainability.

Core Features & Use Cases

  • Enforces YAML frontmatter with clear, third-person description to reliably trigger skills.

  • Outlines progressive disclosure by moving detailed patterns and advanced material into references/ for efficient context loading.

  • Prescribes a lean SKILL.md body (1,500-2,000 words ideal) with actionable workflows and explicit trigger phrases.

  • Defines a standard plugin structure: skills/<skill-name>/{references,examples,scripts,assets} and validation steps.

  • Use Case: A plugin author creates a new skill to handle a domain-specific workflow, then incrementally expands with references and examples as needed.

  • Use Case: A team audits existing skills to improve trigger phrases and content organization for clearer activation.

  • Use Case: A maintainer tests progressive disclosure by ensuring SKILL.md loads quickly and references are loaded only when required.

Quick Start

Create a new skill folder under your plugin's skills/ directory, add SKILL.md with frontmatter and a lean body, and populate optional references/ and examples/ as needed.

Frequently Asked Questions about Skill Development

High-intent search queries and answers about installing and using this skill.

FAQPage Schema
How do I create a Claude Code plugin skill from scratch?▼

To create a Claude Code plugin skill, you create a new skill folder under your plugin's skills/ directory, add a SKILL.md file with YAML frontmatter and a lean body, then populate optional references/ and examples/ directories as needed.

What is progressive disclosure in Claude Code skills?▼

Progressive disclosure in Claude Code skills is an approach that moves detailed patterns and advanced material into a references/ directory, ensuring the main SKILL.md loads quickly and references are loaded only when required.

How do I structure a SKILL.md file for a Claude Code plugin?▼

You structure a SKILL.md file for a Claude Code plugin by including YAML frontmatter with a clear, third-person description for activation, followed by a lean body containing actionable workflows and explicit trigger phrases.

What is the recommended word count for SKILL.md body content?▼

The recommended word count for SKILL.md body content is 1,500-2,000 words, maintaining a lean structure with actionable workflows and explicit trigger phrases to ensure efficient context loading.

How do I organize directories for Claude Code skill resources?▼

You organize Claude Code skill resources using a standard plugin structure of skills/<skill-name>/ containing optional directories for references, examples, scripts, and assets to support progressive disclosure.

Can I update existing Claude Code skills to improve trigger phrases?▼

Yes, you can update existing Claude Code skills by auditing their YAML frontmatter descriptions and content organization, refining trigger phrases and reorganizing material into references/ to achieve clearer activation and maintainability.