shader-programming-glsl
Expert guide for writing efficient GLSL shaders (Vertex/Fragment) for web and game engines, covering syntax, uniforms, and common effects.
Best use case
shader-programming-glsl is best used when you need a repeatable AI agent workflow instead of a one-off prompt.
Expert guide for writing efficient GLSL shaders (Vertex/Fragment) for web and game engines, covering syntax, uniforms, and common effects.
Teams using shader-programming-glsl 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/shader-programming-glsl/SKILL.mdinside your project - Restart your AI agent — it will auto-discover the skill
How shader-programming-glsl Compares
| Feature / Agent | shader-programming-glsl | 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?
Expert guide for writing efficient GLSL shaders (Vertex/Fragment) for web and game engines, covering syntax, uniforms, and common effects.
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.
SKILL.md Source
# Shader Programming GLSL
## Overview
A comprehensive guide to writing GPU shaders using GLSL (OpenGL Shading Language). Learn syntax, uniforms, varying variables, and key mathematical concepts like swizzling and vector operations for visual effects.
## When to Use This Skill
- Use when creating custom visual effects in WebGL, Three.js, or game engines.
- Use when optimizing graphics rendering performance.
- Use when implementing post-processing effects (blur, bloom, color correction).
- Use when procedurally generating textures or geometry on the GPU.
## Step-by-Step Guide
### 1. Structure: Vertex vs. Fragment
Understand the pipeline:
- **Vertex Shader**: Transforms 3D coordinates to 2D screen space (`gl_Position`).
- **Fragment Shader**: Colors individual pixels (`gl_FragColor`).
```glsl
// Vertex Shader (basic)
attribute vec3 position;
uniform mat4 modelViewMatrix;
uniform mat4 projectionMatrix;
void main() {
gl_Position = projectionMatrix * modelViewMatrix * vec4(position, 1.0);
}
```
```glsl
// Fragment Shader (basic)
uniform vec3 color;
void main() {
gl_FragColor = vec4(color, 1.0);
}
```
### 2. Uniforms and Varyings
- `uniform`: Data constant for all vertices/fragments (passed from CPU).
- `varying`: Data interpolated from vertex to fragment shader.
```glsl
// Passing UV coordinates
varying vec2 vUv;
// In Vertex Shader
void main() {
vUv = uv;
gl_Position = projectionMatrix * modelViewMatrix * vec4(position, 1.0);
}
// In Fragment Shader
void main() {
// Gradient based on UV
gl_FragColor = vec4(vUv.x, vUv.y, 1.0, 1.0);
}
```
### 3. Swizzling & Vector Math
Access vector components freely: `vec4 color = vec4(1.0, 0.5, 0.0, 1.0);`
- `color.rgb` -> `vec3(1.0, 0.5, 0.0)`
- `color.zyx` -> `vec3(0.0, 0.5, 1.0)` (reordering)
## Examples
### Example 1: Simple Raymarching (SDF Sphere)
```glsl
float sdSphere(vec3 p, float s) {
return length(p) - s;
}
void mainImage(out vec4 fragColor, in vec2 fragCoord) {
vec2 uv = (fragCoord - 0.5 * iResolution.xy) / iResolution.y;
vec3 ro = vec3(0.0, 0.0, -3.0); // Ray Origin
vec3 rd = normalize(vec3(uv, 1.0)); // Ray Direction
float t = 0.0;
for(int i = 0; i < 64; i++) {
vec3 p = ro + rd * t;
float d = sdSphere(p, 1.0); // Sphere radius 1.0
if(d < 0.001) break;
t += d;
}
vec3 col = vec3(0.0);
if(t < 10.0) {
vec3 p = ro + rd * t;
vec3 normal = normalize(p);
col = normal * 0.5 + 0.5; // Color by normal
}
fragColor = vec4(col, 1.0);
}
```
## Best Practices
- ✅ **Do:** Use `mix()` for linear interpolation instead of manual math.
- ✅ **Do:** Use `step()` and `smoothstep()` for thresholding and soft edges (avoid `if` branches).
- ✅ **Do:** Pack data into vectors (`vec4`) to minimize memory access.
- ❌ **Don't:** Use heavy branching (`if-else`) inside loops if possible; it hurts GPU parallelism.
- ❌ **Don't:** Calculate constant values inside the shader; pre-calculate them on the CPU (uniforms).
## Troubleshooting
**Problem:** Shader compiles but screen is black.
**Solution:** Check if `gl_Position.w` is correct (usually 1.0). Check if uniforms are actually being set from the host application. Verify UV coordinates are within [0, 1].
## Limitations
- Use this skill only when the task clearly matches the scope described above.
- Do not treat the output as a substitute for environment-specific validation, testing, or expert review.
- Stop and ask for clarification if required inputs, permissions, safety boundaries, or success criteria are missing.Related Skills
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