Professional skill creation with research-driven workflow and automated validation. USE WHEN: Creating new skills, validating existing skills, deciding between Skills vs Subagents, migrating documents to skills, or running individual validation tools. PRIMARY TRIGGERS: "create skill" = Full creation (12 steps with research + execution planning) "validate skill" = Validation workflow (steps 3-8) "Skills vs Subagents" = Decision workflow (step 0) "convert doc to skill" = Migration workflow "estimate tokens" = Token optimization "security scan" = Security audit WORKFLOW COMPLIANCE: Structured workflows with validation checkpoints. Research phase (Step 1c-1d) ensures skills based on proven approaches. DIFFERENTIATOR: Research-driven creation. Web search (3-5 queries) before building. Multi-proposal generation. 9 automation scripts. Quality 9.0+/10. REUSED: Anthropic's init_skill.py and package_skill.py (production-tested).
Inherits all available tools
Additional assets for this skill
This skill inherits all available tools. When active, it can use any tool Claude has access to.
CHANGELOG.mdknowledge/INDEX.mdknowledge/application/09-case-studies.mdknowledge/application/10-technical-architecture.mdknowledge/application/11-adoption-strategy.mdknowledge/application/12-testing-and-validation.mdknowledge/application/13-competitive-landscape.mdknowledge/foundation/01-why-skills-exist.mdknowledge/foundation/02-skills-vs-subagents-comparison.mdknowledge/foundation/03-skills-vs-subagents-decision-tree.mdknowledge/foundation/04-hybrid-patterns.mdknowledge/foundation/05-token-economics.mdknowledge/foundation/06-platform-constraints.mdknowledge/foundation/07-security-concerns.mdknowledge/foundation/08-when-not-to-use-skills.mdknowledge/plugin-guide.mdknowledge/tools/14-validation-tools-guide.mdknowledge/tools/15-cost-tools-guide.mdknowledge/tools/16-security-tools-guide.mdknowledge/tools/17-pattern-tools-guide.mdname: claude-skillkit description: > Professional skill creation with research-driven workflow and automated validation.
USE WHEN: Creating new skills, validating existing skills, deciding between Skills vs Subagents, migrating documents to skills, or running individual validation tools.
PRIMARY TRIGGERS: "create skill" = Full creation (12 steps with research + execution planning) "validate skill" = Validation workflow (steps 3-8) "Skills vs Subagents" = Decision workflow (step 0) "convert doc to skill" = Migration workflow "estimate tokens" = Token optimization "security scan" = Security audit
WORKFLOW COMPLIANCE: Structured workflows with validation checkpoints. Research phase (Step 1c-1d) ensures skills based on proven approaches.
DIFFERENTIATOR: Research-driven creation. Web search (3-5 queries) before building. Multi-proposal generation. 9 automation scripts. Quality 9.0+/10.
Detect user intent, route to appropriate workflow.
| Intent | Keywords | Route To |
|---|---|---|
| Full creation | "create", "build", "new skill" | Section 2 |
| Validation | "validate", "check quality" | Section 3 |
| Decision | "Skills vs Subagents", "decide" | Section 4 |
| Migration | "convert", "migrate doc" | Section 5 |
| Single tool | "validate only", "estimate tokens", "scan" | Section 6 |
PROCEED to corresponding section after intent detection.
Workflow Value: Research-driven approach validates design before building. Sequential steps with checkpoints produce 9.0/10+ quality vs ad-hoc creation.
Prerequisites: Skill description provided, workspace available Quality Target: >=7.5/10 (Good), >=8.0/10 (Excellent) - See v1.2.1 quality improvements Time: <10 min with automation
STEP 0: Decide Approach
decision_helper.pySTEP 1: Understand & Research
references/section-2-full-creation-workflow.md (Step 1f details)STEP 2: Initialize & Create Content
python scripts/init_skill.py skill-name --path /path (Anthropic)migration_helper.py (if converting from document)references/section-2-full-creation-workflow.md (Steps 2.5 & 2.8 details)STEP 3: Validate Structure
validate_skill.pySTEP 4: Security Audit
security_scanner.pySTEP 5: Token Optimization
token_estimator.pySTEP 6: Progressive Disclosure
split_skill.pySTEP 7: Generate Tests
test_generator.pySTEP 8: Quality Assessment (v1.2.1 Enhanced)
quality_scorer.pyNote: Quality scorer now more accurately detects imperative voice in descriptions. Target 70-79% (Grade C) is acceptable, 80-89% (Grade B) is good, 90%+ (Grade A) is excellent.
STEP 9: Package for Deployment (v1.2.1 Enhanced)
python scripts/package_skill.py skill-name/--strict flag for production deploymentsFor detailed implementation: See references/section-2-full-creation-workflow.md
Use when: Validating existing skill
Steps: Execute validation subset (Steps 3-8)
For detailed workflow: See references/section-3-validation-workflow-existing-skill.md
Use when: Uncertain if Skills is right approach
Process:
decision_helper.pyFor detailed workflow: See references/section-4-decision-workflow-skills-vs-subagents.md
Use when: Converting document to skill
Process:
For detailed workflow: See references/section-5-migration-workflow-doc-to-skill.md
Use when: User needs single tool, not full workflow
Entry Point: User asks for specific tool like "estimate tokens" or "security scan"
Validation Tool:
python scripts/validate_skill.py skill-name/ --format json
Guide: knowledge/tools/14-validation-tools-guide.md
Token Estimator:
python scripts/token_estimator.py skill-name/ --format json
Guide: knowledge/tools/15-cost-tools-guide.md
Security Scanner:
python scripts/security_scanner.py skill-name/ --format json
Guide: knowledge/tools/16-security-tools-guide.md
Pattern Detector:
# Analysis mode with JSON output
python scripts/pattern_detector.py "convert PDF to Word" --format json
# List all patterns
python scripts/pattern_detector.py --list --format json
# Interactive mode (text only)
python scripts/pattern_detector.py --interactive
Guide: knowledge/tools/17-pattern-tools-guide.md
Decision Helper:
# Analyze use case (JSON output - agent-layer default)
python scripts/decision_helper.py --analyze "code review with validation"
# Show decision criteria (JSON output)
python scripts/decision_helper.py --show-criteria --format json
# Text mode for human reading (debugging)
python scripts/decision_helper.py --analyze "description" --format text
v1.2.1 Bug Fix:
(abs(score) - 3) and (abs(score) - 6) for proper scalingGuide: knowledge/tools/18-decision-helper-guide.md
Test Generator (v1.2: Parameter update):
python scripts/test_generator.py skill-name/ --test-format pytest --format json
--test-format: Test framework (pytest/unittest/plain, default: pytest)--format: Output style (text/json, default: text)--output parameter still works (deprecated)Guide: knowledge/tools/19-test-generator-guide.md
Split Skill:
python scripts/split_skill.py skill-name/ --format json
Guide: knowledge/tools/20-split-skill-guide.md
Quality Scorer (v1.2.1 Enhanced):
python scripts/quality_scorer.py skill-name/ --format json
v1.2.1 Improvements:
Example Impact:
Guide: knowledge/tools/21-quality-scorer-guide.md
Migration Helper:
python scripts/migration_helper.py doc.md --format json
Guide: knowledge/tools/22-migration-helper-guide.md
All 9 tools now support --format json parameter:
python -m json.tool for validation--format text)JSON Output Structure (Standardized):
{
"status": "success" | "error",
"tool": "tool_name",
"timestamp": "ISO-8601",
"data": { /* tool-specific results */ }
}
File & Reference Validation:
validate_skill.py now comprehensively checks file references (markdown links, code refs, path patterns)package_skill.py validates references before packaging, detects orphaned filesContent Budget Enforcement (v1.2+):
Execution Planning (v1.2+):
Quality Scorer Context (v1.2.1 Updated):
Strategic context loaded on-demand.
For complete reference map: See references/section-7-knowledge-reference-map.md
This skill works best when workflows are followed sequentially.
Why compliance matters:
Mechanisms encouraging compliance:
Flexible when needed:
Goal: Strong encouragement through design, not strict enforcement.
Detailed implementations available in references/ directory:
All section overviews above link to detailed reference files for deep-dive information. Load references on-demand when detailed implementation guidance needed.