GuidesCreating Skills

Creating Skills

Build your own custom skills for Claude Code Setup.

Skill Types

TypeHow it loadsExample
ContextAuto-loads based on tech stackCoding standards
CommandUser invokes with /skill-namePresentation creator

Using /skill-creator

The easiest way to create a skill:

/skill-creator

Claude will ask:

  1. What type of skill?
  2. What should it do?
  3. What tech stacks should trigger it?

Manual Creation

Directory Structure

~/.claude/custom/skills/
└── my-skill/
    └── SKILL.md

SKILL.md Format

---
name: my-skill
description: What this skill does
type: context
applies_to: [python, fastapi]
---
 
# Skill Content
 
Instructions and standards here...

Context Skill Example

---
name: api-standards
description: REST API design standards
type: context
applies_to: [python, typescript, nodejs, fastapi, express]
---
 
# API Design Standards
 
## Endpoints
 
- Use nouns, not verbs: `/users` not `/getUsers`
- Use plural nouns: `/users` not `/user`
- Nest resources: `/users/{id}/orders`
 
## HTTP Methods
 
| Method | Purpose | Response |
|--------|---------|----------|
| GET | Read | 200 + data |
| POST | Create | 201 + created resource |
| PUT | Replace | 200 + updated resource |
| PATCH | Update | 200 + updated resource |
| DELETE | Delete | 204 no content |
 
## Error Responses
 
\`\`\`json
{
  "error": {
    "code": "VALIDATION_ERROR",
    "message": "Human readable message",
    "details": [...]
  }
}
\`\`\`

Command Skill Example

---
name: create-api-spec
description: Create OpenAPI specification
type: command
---
 
# Create API Spec
 
When invoked, create an OpenAPI 3.0 specification:
 
1. Analyze existing routes in the codebase
2. Generate openapi.yaml with:
   - Info section with project details
   - All endpoints with parameters
   - Request/response schemas
   - Error responses
3. Save to docs/openapi.yaml

Frontmatter Fields

FieldRequiredDescription
nameYesSkill identifier (kebab-case)
descriptionYesWhat the skill does
typeYescontext or command
applies_toContext onlyTech stack triggers

Overriding Built-in Skills

Put your skill in ~/.claude/custom/skills/ with the same name:

Built-in: ~/.claude/skills/standards-python/
Custom:   ~/.claude/custom/skills/standards-python/

→ Custom wins

Related

Team SetupOverview