CreateSkill
Scaffold new PAI skills with proper YAML front matter, TitleCase naming, flat folder structure (SKILL.md + Workflows/ + Tools/), and validation against SkillSystem.md. USE WHEN create skill, new skill, skill structure, canonicalize, validate skill, update skill, fix skill structure, scaffold skill.
Best use case
CreateSkill is best used when you need a repeatable AI agent workflow instead of a one-off prompt.
Scaffold new PAI skills with proper YAML front matter, TitleCase naming, flat folder structure (SKILL.md + Workflows/ + Tools/), and validation against SkillSystem.md. USE WHEN create skill, new skill, skill structure, canonicalize, validate skill, update skill, fix skill structure, scaffold skill.
Teams using CreateSkill should expect a more consistent output, faster repeated execution, less prompt rewriting.
When to use this skill
- You want a reusable workflow that can be run more than once with consistent structure.
When not to use this skill
- You only need a quick one-off answer and do not need a reusable workflow.
- You cannot install or maintain the underlying files, dependencies, or repository context.
Installation
Claude Code / Cursor / Codex
Manual Installation
- Download SKILL.md from GitHub
- Place it in
.claude/skills/CreateSkill/SKILL.mdinside your project - Restart your AI agent — it will auto-discover the skill
How CreateSkill Compares
| Feature / Agent | CreateSkill | Standard Approach |
|---|---|---|
| Platform Support | Not specified | Limited / Varies |
| Context Awareness | High | Baseline |
| Installation Complexity | Unknown | N/A |
Frequently Asked Questions
What does this skill do?
Scaffold new PAI skills with proper YAML front matter, TitleCase naming, flat folder structure (SKILL.md + Workflows/ + Tools/), and validation against SkillSystem.md. USE WHEN create skill, new skill, skill structure, canonicalize, validate skill, update skill, fix skill structure, scaffold skill.
Where can I find the source code?
You can find the source code on GitHub using the link provided at the top of the page.
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SKILL.md Source
## Customization
**Before executing, check for user customizations at:**
`~/.claude/PAI/USER/SKILLCUSTOMIZATIONS/CreateSkill/`
If this directory exists, load and apply any PREFERENCES.md, configurations, or resources found there. These override default behavior. If the directory does not exist, proceed with skill defaults.
## 🚨 MANDATORY: Voice Notification (REQUIRED BEFORE ANY ACTION)
**You MUST send this notification BEFORE doing anything else when this skill is invoked.**
1. **Send voice notification**:
```bash
curl -s -X POST http://localhost:8888/notify \
-H "Content-Type: application/json" \
-d '{"message": "Running the WORKFLOWNAME workflow in the CreateSkill skill to ACTION"}' \
> /dev/null 2>&1 &
```
2. **Output text notification**:
```
Running the **WorkflowName** workflow in the **CreateSkill** skill to ACTION...
```
**This is not optional. Execute this curl command immediately upon skill invocation.**
# CreateSkill
MANDATORY skill creation framework for ALL skill creation requests.
## Authoritative Source
**Before creating ANY skill, READ:** `~/.claude/PAI/SkillSystem.md`
**Canonical example to follow:** `~/.claude/skills/Research/SKILL.md`
## TitleCase Naming Convention
**All naming must use TitleCase (PascalCase).**
| Component | Format | Example |
|-----------|--------|---------|
| Skill directory | TitleCase | `Blogging`, `Daemon`, `CreateSkill` |
| Workflow files | TitleCase.md | `Create.md`, `UpdateDaemonInfo.md` |
| Reference docs | TitleCase.md | `ProsodyGuide.md`, `ApiReference.md` |
| Tool files | TitleCase.ts | `ManageServer.ts` |
| Help files | TitleCase.help.md | `ManageServer.help.md` |
**Wrong (NEVER use):**
- `createskill`, `create-skill`, `CREATE_SKILL`
- `create.md`, `update-info.md`, `SYNC_REPO.md`
---
## Flat Folder Structure (MANDATORY)
**CRITICAL: Keep folder structure FLAT - maximum 2 levels deep.**
### The Rule
**Maximum depth:** `skills/SkillName/Category/`
### ✅ ALLOWED (2 levels max)
```
skills/SkillName/SKILL.md # Skill root
skills/SkillName/Workflows/Create.md # Workflow - one level deep - GOOD
skills/SkillName/Tools/Manage.ts # Tool - one level deep - GOOD
skills/SkillName/QuickStartGuide.md # Context file - in root - GOOD
skills/SkillName/Examples.md # Context file - in root - GOOD
```
### ❌ FORBIDDEN (Too deep OR wrong location)
```
skills/SkillName/Resources/Guide.md # Context files go in root, NOT Resources/
skills/SkillName/Docs/Examples.md # Context files go in root, NOT Docs/
skills/SkillName/Workflows/Category/File.md # THREE levels - NO
skills/SkillName/Templates/Primitives/File.md # THREE levels - NO
skills/SkillName/Tools/Utils/Helper.ts # THREE levels - NO
```
### Allowed Subdirectories
**ONLY these subdirectories are allowed:**
- **Workflows/** - Execution workflows ONLY
- **Tools/** - Executable scripts/tools ONLY
**Context files (documentation, guides, references) go in the skill ROOT, NOT in subdirectories.**
### Why
1. **Discoverability** - Easy to find files
2. **Simplicity** - Less navigation overhead
3. **Speed** - Faster file operations
4. **Consistency** - Every skill follows same pattern
**If you need to organize many workflows, use clear filenames instead of subdirectories:**
- Good: `Workflows/CompanyDueDiligence.md`
- Bad: `Workflows/Company/DueDiligence.md`
**See:** `~/.claude/PAI/SkillSystem.md` (Flat Folder Structure section)
---
## Dynamic Loading Pattern (Large Skills)
**For skills with SKILL.md > 100 lines:** Use dynamic loading to reduce context on skill invocation.
### How Loading Works
**Session startup:** Only frontmatter loads for routing
**Skill invocation:** Full SKILL.md loads
**Context files:** Load only when workflows reference them
### The Pattern
**SKILL.md** = Minimal (30-50 lines) - loads on skill invocation
- YAML frontmatter with triggers
- Brief description
- Workflow routing table
- Quick reference
- Pointers to context files
**Additional .md files** = Context files - SOPs for specific aspects (loaded on-demand)
- These are Standard Operating Procedures, not just documentation
- They provide specific handling instructions
- Can reference Workflows/, Tools/, etc.
### 🚨 CRITICAL: NO Context/ Subdirectory 🚨
**NEVER create Context/ or Docs/ subdirectories.**
Additional .md files ARE the context files. They live **directly in skill root**.
**WRONG:**
```
skills/Media/Art/
├── SKILL.md
└── Context/ ❌ NEVER CREATE THIS
└── Aesthetic.md
```
**CORRECT:**
```
skills/Media/Art/
├── SKILL.md
├── Aesthetic.md ✅ Context file in skill root
├── Examples.md ✅ Context file in skill root
└── Tools.md ✅ Context file in skill root
```
**The skill directory IS the context.**
### Example Structure
```
skills/Media/Art/
├── SKILL.md # 40 lines - minimal routing
├── Aesthetic.md # Context file - SOP for aesthetic
├── Examples.md # Context file - SOP for examples
├── Tools.md # Context file - SOP for tools
├── Workflows/ # Workflows
│ └── Essay.md
└── Tools/ # CLI tools
└── Generate.ts
```
### Minimal SKILL.md Template
```markdown
---
name: SkillName
description: Brief. USE WHEN triggers.
---
# SkillName
Brief description.
## Workflow Routing
| Trigger | Workflow |
|---------|----------|
| "trigger" | `Workflows/WorkflowName.md` |
## Quick Reference
**Key points** (3-5 bullet points)
**Full Documentation:**
- Detail 1: `SkillSearch('skillname detail1')` → loads Detail1.md
- Detail 2: `SkillSearch('skillname detail2')` → loads Detail2.md
```
### When To Use
✅ **Use dynamic loading for:**
- SKILL.md > 100 lines
- Multiple documentation sections
- Extensive API reference
- Detailed examples
❌ **Don't use for:**
- Simple skills (< 50 lines)
- Pure utility wrappers (use PAI/Tools.md instead)
### Benefits
- **Token Savings:** 70%+ reduction on skill invocation (when full docs not needed)
- **Organization:** SKILL.md = routing, context files = SOPs for specific aspects
- **Efficiency:** Workflows load only what they actually need
- **Maintainability:** Easier to update individual sections
**See:** `~/.claude/PAI/SkillSystem.md` (Dynamic Loading Pattern section)
---
## Workflow Routing
| Workflow | Trigger | File |
|----------|---------|------|
| **CreateSkill** | "create a new skill" | `Workflows/CreateSkill.md` |
| **ValidateSkill** | "validate skill", "check skill" | `Workflows/ValidateSkill.md` |
| **UpdateSkill** | "update skill", "add workflow" | `Workflows/UpdateSkill.md` |
| **CanonicalizeSkill** | "canonicalize", "fix skill structure" | `Workflows/CanonicalizeSkill.md` |
## Examples
**Example 1: Create a new skill from scratch**
```
User: "Create a skill for managing my recipes"
→ Invokes CreateSkill workflow
→ Reads SkillSystem.md for structure requirements
→ Creates skill directory with TitleCase naming
→ Creates SKILL.md, Workflows/, tools/
→ Generates USE WHEN triggers based on intent
```
**Example 2: Fix an existing skill that's not routing properly**
```
User: "The research skill isn't triggering - validate it"
→ Invokes ValidateSkill workflow
→ Checks SKILL.md against canonical format
→ Verifies TitleCase naming throughout
→ Verifies USE WHEN triggers are intent-based
→ Reports compliance issues with fixes
```
**Example 3: Canonicalize a skill with old naming**
```
User: "Canonicalize the daemon skill"
→ Invokes CanonicalizeSkill workflow
→ Renames workflow files to TitleCase
→ Updates routing table to match
→ Ensures Examples section exists
→ Verifies all checklist items
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