claude-configs/skills/create-skill/templates/README.md

Skill Templates

This directory contains templates for creating new skills in Kai's personal AI infrastructure.

Available Templates

1. simple-skill-template.md

Use for:

• Single focused capability
• Straightforward workflows
• Minimal context needed (< 100 lines)
• Quick reference is sufficient

Examples from PAI:

• fabric-patterns
• youtube-extraction
• email

Structure:

• YAML frontmatter (name, description)
• When to Activate section
• Core workflow
• Commands/tools
• Examples
• Supplementary resources

2. complex-skill-template.md

Use for:

• Multi-phase workflows
• Extensive methodology
• Multiple components
• Requires deep context

Examples from PAI:

• development (with CLAUDE.md, primary-stack, style-guide)
• website (full lifecycle management)
• consulting (professional services)

Structure:

• YAML frontmatter
• When to Activate section
• Core workflow (multi-phase)
• Key components
• Configuration/stack
• Critical requirements
• Available commands
• Key principles

Note: Complex skills should have:

• SKILL.md (quick reference - use this template)
• CLAUDE.md (comprehensive guide - use CLAUDE-template.md)
• Supporting subdirectories as needed

3. skill-with-agents-template.md

Use for:

• Skills that use specialized agents
• Workflows requiring agent expertise
• Parallel execution capabilities
• Agent collaboration protocols

Examples from PAI:

• research (parallel researcher agents)
• development (architect + engineer agents)

Structure:

• YAML frontmatter
• When to Activate section
• Available agents (with training, voice, config)
• Execution workflow (single vs parallel)
• Agent collaboration protocol
• Speed benefits
• Supplementary resources

4. CLAUDE-template.md

Use for:

• Comprehensive documentation for complex skills
• Deep methodology guides
• Complete system documentation

Pairs with: complex-skill-template.md

Structure:

• Purpose statement
• What is [concept]?
• Architecture/methodology
• Complete workflow (all phases)
• Best practices
• Technology stack/tools
• Integration points
• Critical warnings
• Core principles
• Examples and patterns
• Troubleshooting
• Quick reference

How to Use These Templates

Step 1: Choose Template

Decide if your skill is:

• Simple → simple-skill-template.md
• Complex → complex-skill-template.md + CLAUDE-template.md
• Agent-based → skill-with-agents-template.md

Step 2: Copy Template

cp ${PAI_DIR}/skills/create-skill/templates/[template-name].md \
   ${PAI_DIR}/skills/[new-skill-name]/SKILL.md

Step 3: Customize

Replace all placeholders:

• [skill-name] → actual skill name
• [description] → actual description
• [trigger phrase] → actual trigger phrases
• All bracketed content → actual content

Step 4: Write Content

Follow the structure, fill in all sections with actual content.

Step 5: Add to Global Context

Update ${PAI_DIR}/global/KAI.md available_skills section.

Step 6: Test

Test activation with natural language phrases.

Template Placeholders

Look for these patterns and replace them:

• [skill-name] - The actual skill name
• [description] - Skill description
• [trigger phrase] - User phrases that activate skill
• [capability] - What the skill does
• [domain] - Area of expertise
• [Main Content Sections] - Section headings
• [Phase Name] - Workflow phase names
• [Action] - Specific actions
• [Use Case Name] - Example scenario names
• [tool], [command], [resource] - Actual tool/command/resource names
• [Component] - Actual component names
• [HIGH-LEVEL GOAL] - Purpose statement

Validation Checklist

After using a template, verify:

• All [bracketed placeholders] replaced
• YAML frontmatter complete (name, description)
• Description includes activation triggers
• "When to Activate" section filled
• Instructions in imperative form
• Concrete examples included
• File paths are correct
• References work (if any)
• Added to KAI.md
• Tested with user phrases

Common Mistakes

1. Forgetting placeholders - Search for [ to find all
2. Keeping template examples - Replace with actual content
3. Wrong template choice - Simple skills don't need complex template
4. Missing description triggers - Add "USE WHEN" phrases
5. Not testing - Always test with natural language

Further Reading

• Complete guide: read ${PAI_DIR}/skills/create-skill/CLAUDE.md
• Quick reference: read ${PAI_DIR}/skills/create-skill/SKILL.md
• Example skills: ls ${PAI_DIR}/skills/
• Anthropic examples: https://github.com/anthropics/skills