Claude Expert Skill
Expert guidance for Claude prompting techniques, Claude Code extensibility, and agent architecture.
Quick Reference
| Topic | File | Use When |
|---|---|---|
| Prompting | PROMPTING.md | Writing effective prompts, XML tags, CoT, few-shot |
| Skills | SKILLS.md | Creating or editing Claude Code skills |
| Workflows | WORKFLOWS.md | Building multi-step workflow prompts |
| Commands | COMMANDS.md | Creating /commands for quick invocation |
| Hooks | HOOKS.md | Setting up PreToolUse, validation, notifications |
| MCP | MCP.md | Adding MCP servers, tools, resources |
| Sub-agents | SUBAGENTS.md | Creating custom agents, Task tool config |
Argument Routing
If $ARGUMENTS is "self-update": Read and execute cookbook/self-update.md
Otherwise: Continue with normal skill guidance below.
Core Principles
Prompting
- •Use XML tags for structure (
<context>,<instructions>,<constraints>) - •Be explicit rather than implicit
- •Specify format to get formatted output
- •Provide examples for complex tasks
Skills
- •Skills = markdown files that extend Claude's capabilities
- •Description is critical for auto-discovery
- •Keep SKILL.md < 500 lines, split into reference files
- •Use semantic XML tags in content
Hooks
- •PreToolUse hooks validate before execution
- •Can
block,allow, oraskfor confirmation - •Exit codes: 0=allow, 2=block, JSON output for ask
MCP
- •Servers defined in
~/.claude/.mcp.json - •Provide external tools and resources
- •Use stdio, SSE, or HTTP transport
Sub-agents
- •Defined in
.claude/agents/or~/.claude/agents/ - •YAML frontmatter + markdown instructions
- •Can specify model, tools, allowed-tools
Workflows
- •Variables at top for constants
- •Instructions for rules/constraints
- •Step-by-step workflow section
- •Report template at end
Commands
- •Quick-access prompts in
.claude/commands/ - •Can restrict tools and specify model
- •Support argument passing
When to Read Reference Files
Read PROMPTING.md when:
- •User asks to write a prompt or system message
- •Optimizing an existing prompt
- •Structuring complex instructions
Read SKILLS.md when:
- •Creating a new skill
- •Editing skill YAML frontmatter
- •Debugging skill discovery
- •Understanding cookbook/prompts patterns
Read WORKFLOWS.md when:
- •Building multi-step workflow prompts
- •Defining variables and instructions
- •Creating orchestrated workflows
- •Handling parallel execution
Read COMMANDS.md when:
- •Creating /command shortcuts
- •Setting up prime or install commands
- •Understanding command vs skill differences
Read HOOKS.md when:
- •Setting up security validation
- •Adding notifications or logging
- •Configuring PreToolUse patterns
Read MCP.md when:
- •Adding external tool servers
- •Configuring MCP resources
- •Troubleshooting MCP connections
Read SUBAGENTS.md when:
- •Creating custom agents
- •Configuring agent tools/permissions
- •Understanding Task tool options
- •Setting up parallel agent execution
- •Managing multi-agent safety