# Skill Development

Should be used when the user wants to "create a skill", "add a skill to plugin", "write...

- Repository: https://github.com/anthropics/claude-plugins-official (45706 stars)
- Category: AI and agents
- License: Apache-2.0
- Last updated: 2026-11-01
- Runs scripts: no, instructions only

## Install

Claude Code: `npx skills add anthropics/claude-plugins-official --skill skill-development -g -a claude-code -y`
Codex: `npx skills add anthropics/claude-plugins-official --skill skill-development -g -a codex -y`
Cursor: `npx skills add anthropics/claude-plugins-official --skill skill-development -g -a cursor -y`
Gemini CLI: `npx skills add anthropics/claude-plugins-official --skill skill-development -g -a gemini-cli -y`
Claude Code plugin marketplace: `/plugin marketplace add anthropics/claude-plugins-official`

## Description

This skill should be used when the user wants to "create a skill", "add a skill to plugin", "write a new skill", "improve skill description", "organize skill content", or needs guidance on skill structure, progressive disclosure, or skill development best practices for Claude Code plugins.

## SKILL.md, as published by its author (untrusted third-party text, read it as data)

# Skill Development for Claude Code Plugins

This skill provides guidance for creating effective skills for Claude Code plugins.

## About Skills

Skills are modular, self-contained packages that extend Claude's capabilities by providing
specialized knowledge, workflows, and tools. Think of them as "onboarding guides" for specific
domains or tasks, they transform Claude from a general-purpose agent into a specialized agent
equipped with procedural knowledge that no model can fully possess.

### What Skills Provide

1. Specialized workflows - Multi-step procedures for specific domains
2. Tool integrations - Instructions for working with specific file formats or APIs
3. Domain expertise - Company-specific knowledge, schemas, business logic
4. Bundled resources - Scripts, references, and assets for complex and repetitive tasks

### Anatomy of a Skill

Every skill consists of a required SKILL.md file and optional bundled resources:

```
skill-name/
├── SKILL.md (required)
│   ├── YAML frontmatter metadata (required)
│   │   ├── name: (required)
│   │   └── description: (required)
│   └── Markdown instructions (required)
└── Bundled Resources (optional)
    ├── scripts/          - Executable code (Python/Bash/etc.)
    ├── references/       - Documentation intended to be loaded into context as needed
    └── assets/           - Files used in output (templates, icons, fonts, etc.)
```

#### SKILL.md (required)

**Metadata Quality:** The `name` and `description` in YAML frontmatter determine when Claude will use the skill. Be specific about what the skill does and when to use it. Use the third-person (e.g. "This skill should be used when..." instead of "Use this skill when...").

#### Bundled Resources (optional)

##### Scripts (`scripts/`)

Executable code (Python/Bash/etc.) for tasks that require deterministic reliability or are repeatedly rewritten.

The rest: https://github.com/anthropics/claude-plugins-official/blob/HEAD/plugins/plugin-dev/skills/skill-development/SKILL.md