---
name: claude-skills
description: Claude Skills Documentation - Learn how to create, use, and manage skills for Claude. Includes skill structure, YAML frontmatter, examples, and best practices for extending Claude's capabilities across Claude Code, Claude.ai, and the Claude API.
---

# Claude Skills Documentation Skill

Comprehensive guide to Claude Skills - folders of instructions, scripts, and resources that Claude loads dynamically to improve performance on specialized tasks.

## When to Use This Skill

This skill should be triggered when:
- Learning how to create Claude Skills
- Understanding skill structure and format
- Looking for skill examples and templates
- Integrating skills with Claude Code, Claude.ai, or Claude API
- Writing YAML frontmatter for skills
- Organizing skill directories and files
- Finding best practices for skill development
- Exploring example skills from Anthropic

## What Are Skills?

**Skills are folders of instructions, scripts, and resources that Claude loads dynamically to improve performance on specialized tasks.**

Skills teach Claude how to complete specific tasks in a repeatable way, whether that's:
- Creating documents with your company's brand guidelines
- Analyzing data using your organization's specific workflows
- Automating personal tasks
- Working with specific file formats or APIs
- Applying domain-specific knowledge

## Quick Reference

### Basic Skill Structure

Every skill requires:
1. **A folder** containing the skill files
2. **A `SKILL.md` file** with YAML frontmatter and instructions

### Minimal SKILL.md Template

```markdown
---
name: my-skill-name
description: A clear description of what this skill does and when to use it
---

# My Skill Name

[Add your instructions here that Claude will follow when this skill is active]

## Examples
- Example usage 1
- Example usage 2

## Guidelines
- Guideline 1
- Guideline 2
```

### Required YAML Fields

- **`name`** - Unique identifier (lowercase, hyphens for spaces)
  - Example: `brand-guidelines`, `pdf-analyzer`, `slack-gif-creator`

- **`description`** - Complete description of what the skill does and when to use it
  - Should clearly explain the skill's purpose
  - Helps Claude decide when to activate the skill

### Optional Skill Components

**Additional Files:**
- `references/` - Supporting documentation
- `scripts/` - Helper scripts or automation
- `assets/` - Templates, images, or other resources

## Skill Categories & Examples

### Creative & Design
- **algorithmic-art** - Generative art using p5.js
- **canvas-design** - Visual art in PNG/PDF formats
- **slack-gif-creator** - Animated GIFs for Slack

### Development & Technical
- **artifacts-builder** - Build HTML artifacts with React + Tailwind
- **mcp-server** - Create MCP servers for API integration
- **webapp-testing** - Test web apps with Playwright

### Enterprise & Communication
- **brand-guidelines** - Apply company branding
- **internal-comms** - Write status reports and newsletters
- **theme-factory** - Professional artifact themes

### Document Skills (Advanced)
- **docx** - Word documents with tracked changes
- **pdf** - PDF manipulation and extraction
- **pptx** - PowerPoint presentations
- **xlsx** - Excel spreadsheets with formulas

### Meta Skills
- **skill-creator** - Guide for creating effective skills
- **template-skill** - Basic template for new skills

## Using Skills

### In Claude Code

**Add the Anthropic Skills marketplace:**
```bash
/plugin marketplace add anthropics/skills
```

**Install skills:**
```bash
# Interactive installation
# 1. Select "Browse and install plugins"
# 2. Select "anthropic-agent-skills"
# 3. Select "document-skills" or "example-skills"
# 4. Select "Install now"

# Direct installation
/plugin install document-skills@anthropic-agent-skills
/plugin install example-skills@anthropic-agent-skills
```

**Use a skill:**
```
"Use the PDF skill to extract form fields from path/to/file.pdf"
```

### In Claude.ai

1. Go to Claude.ai (paid plan required)
2. Example skills are pre-available
3. Upload custom skills via the skills interface

See: [Using skills in Claude](https://support.claude.com/en/articles/12512180-using-skills-in-claude)

### Via Claude API

Use pre-built skills or upload custom skills programmatically.

See: [Skills API Quickstart](https://docs.claude.com/en/api/skills-guide#creating-a-skill)

## Creating Effective Skills

### Best Practices

**1. Clear Description**
- Explain what the skill does
- Specify when to use it
- Include key capabilities

**2. Structured Instructions**
- Use clear headings and sections
- Provide specific examples
- Include edge cases and error handling

**3. Comprehensive Guidelines**
- List do's and don'ts
- Explain constraints and limitations
- Provide fallback strategies

**4. Practical Examples**
- Show real-world usage
- Include input/output examples
- Cover common scenarios

### Skill Structure Pattern

```markdown
---
name: skill-name
description: What it does and when to use it
---

# Skill Name

## Purpose
[Clear explanation of the skill's purpose]

## When to Use This Skill
- Use case 1
- Use case 2
- Use case 3

## Instructions
[Detailed step-by-step instructions]

## Examples
### Example 1: [Scenario]
[Code or instructions]

### Example 2: [Another Scenario]
[Code or instructions]

## Guidelines
- Guideline 1
- Guideline 2
- Guideline 3

## Constraints
- Limitation 1
- Limitation 2

## Error Handling
[How to handle common errors]

## Resources
[Links to documentation, references, etc.]
```

## Advanced Features

### Multi-File Skills

Skills can include multiple supporting files:

```
my-skill/
   SKILL.md           # Main instructions
   references/        # Documentation
      api-docs.md
      examples.md
   scripts/           # Helper scripts
      helper.py
   assets/            # Resources
       template.json
       logo.png
```

### References Directory

Use `references/` for:
- API documentation
- Code examples
- Technical specifications
- Quick reference guides

Claude can access these files when the skill is active.

### Scripts Directory

Use `scripts/` for:
- Automation scripts
- Helper utilities
- Data processors
- Tool integrations

### Assets Directory

Use `assets/` for:
- Templates
- Configuration files
- Images or media
- Sample data

## Document Skills (Source-Available)

Anthropic provides advanced document skills as reference implementations:

### DOCX Skill
- Create, edit, analyze Word documents
- Tracked changes and comments
- Formatting preservation
- Text extraction

### PDF Skill
- Extract text and tables
- Create and merge PDFs
- Split documents
- Handle forms

### PPTX Skill
- Create and edit presentations
- Support layouts and templates
- Add charts and visuals
- Automated slide generation

### XLSX Skill
- Create and edit spreadsheets
- Formulas and formatting
- Data analysis
- Visualization

**Note:** These are snapshots for reference, not actively maintained.

## Common Use Cases

### 1. Brand Consistency
Create skills for company-specific:
- Color palettes and typography
- Document templates
- Communication styles
- Design guidelines

### 2. Domain Expertise
Skills for specialized knowledge:
- Medical terminology
- Legal document analysis
- Financial modeling
- Scientific calculations

### 3. Workflow Automation
Automate repetitive tasks:
- Report generation
- Data processing
- Code generation
- Testing procedures

### 4. Integration Skills
Connect to external services:
- API wrappers
- Database queries
- File format conversions
- Third-party tools

### 5. Custom AI Behaviors
Define specific AI behaviors:
- Communication tone
- Output formats
- Quality checks
- Validation rules

## Skill Development Tips

### Start Simple
1. Begin with the template skill
2. Add clear instructions
3. Test thoroughly
4. Iterate based on results

### Be Specific
- Provide explicit instructions
- Include concrete examples
- Define success criteria
- Specify output formats

### Test Thoroughly
- Try edge cases
- Test with different inputs
- Verify output quality
- Get user feedback

### Document Well
- Explain the "why" not just the "how"
- Include troubleshooting tips
- Link to external resources
- Update regularly

## Partner Skills

Skills from partners and community:

- **Notion** - [Notion Skills for Claude](https://www.notion.so/notiondevs/Notion-Skills-for-Claude-28da4445d27180c7af1df7d8615723d0)

## Important Notes

### Skills Are Portable
- Work across Claude Code, Claude.ai, and API
- Can be shared and reused
- Version controlled (use git)
- Platform agnostic

### Skills Are Dynamic
- Loaded on-demand
- Can be activated/deactivated
- Multiple skills can be active
- Skills can reference each other

### Skills Are Flexible
- No code required (just markdown)
- Can include code if needed
- Support any file format
- Extensible with scripts

## Disclaimer

**These skills are provided for demonstration and educational purposes only.**

While some capabilities may be available in Claude, implementations may differ from examples. Always test skills thoroughly before using them for critical tasks.

## Resources

### Official Documentation
- [What are skills?](https://support.claude.com/en/articles/12512176-what-are-skills)
- [Using skills in Claude](https://support.claude.com/en/articles/12512180-using-skills-in-claude)
- [Creating custom skills](https://support.claude.com/en/articles/12512198-creating-custom-skills)
- [Skills API Quickstart](https://docs.claude.com/en/api/skills-guide)

### Blog Posts
- [Equipping agents with Agent Skills](https://anthropic.com/engineering/equipping-agents-for-the-real-world-with-agent-skills)

### Repository
- [Anthropic Skills GitHub](https://github.com/anthropics/skills)
- Template skill example
- Example skills collection
- Document skills (source-available)

## Reference Files

This skill includes documentation in `references/`:

- **README.md** - Official repository README with examples and quick start

## Quick Start

### 1. Create Your First Skill

```bash
# Create directory
mkdir my-first-skill

# Create SKILL.md
cat > my-first-skill/SKILL.md << 'EOF'
---
name: my-first-skill
description: A simple skill that demonstrates the basics
---

# My First Skill

This skill helps with [specific task].

## Instructions
1. Step one
2. Step two
3. Step three

## Examples
- Example usage

## Guidelines
- Be clear and specific
- Follow best practices
EOF
```

### 2. Test the Skill

Upload to Claude and test with:
```
"Use my-first-skill to [task description]"
```

### 3. Iterate and Improve

Based on results:
- Refine instructions
- Add more examples
- Clarify guidelines
- Expand capabilities

---

**With skills, you can teach Claude to excel at tasks specific to your needs, workflows, and domain expertise!**