skill-writer_skill

Overview

This skill guides you to design and write well-structured Agent Skills for IDEs like CodeBuddy and Cursor. It covers scope definition, placement choices, manifest frontmatter, content organization, testing, and debugging. The goal is a focused, discoverable Skill that reliably activates for the right user queries.

How this skill works

I walk you through clarifying the Skill purpose, selecting project- or user-level locations, creating the directory layout, and authoring a manifest with required frontmatter fields. I provide concrete examples, validation checklists, testing steps, and debugging tips so the Skill activates predictably and follows best practices. I can also suggest names, create the main skill file content, and generate supporting files on request.

When to use it

• You need to create a new Agent Skill for an IDE (project- or user-scoped).
• You want help writing the skill manifest (frontmatter) and a clear description so the Skill is discoverable.
• You need to design the Skill directory structure and optional support files (reference, scripts, config).
• You want to convert prompts, workflows, or tools into a focused Skill.
• You need to validate, test, or debug why a Skill does not activate.

Best practices

• One Skill = one clear capability; keep scope narrow and actionable.
• Name rules: lowercase, digits, hyphens only, match directory name, ≤64 chars.
• Write a concrete description: what it does + when to use it + trigger phrases and file types.
• Provide step-by-step instructions tailored for the AI assistant, not generic prose.
• Use progressive disclosure: put advanced docs and examples in separate reference files.
• Validate manifest syntax, file paths, and activation by testing real queries.

Example use cases

• Create a pipeline-manager Skill that starts builds, queries status, and lists history when users mention CI/CD or pipeline.
• Author a backend-development Skill that prescribes project layout, DI patterns, and testing guides for new microservices.
• Convert a manual workflow (e.g., filling PDF forms) into a focused Skill with examples and helper scripts.
• Build a tool-integration Skill that documents required IDs, parameters, and sample commands for invoking external CI tools.
• Debug a Skill that never activates by tightening trigger phrases, verifying manifest fields, and confirming file placement.