Skill Architect
Defines the strict architectural standards for creating high-fidelity Claude Code skills.
1. Context Injection (MANDATORY)
Before generating any skill content, you MUST read the following architecture definitions to ground your reasoning:
- •Structure & Layout:
Read("reference/directory-structure.md") - •Quality Standards:
Read("reference/anti-patterns.md") - •Templates:
Read("templates/skill-body.md")
2. Validation Protocol (The "Live-Check" Rule)
You must distinguish between Timeless Principles and Volatile Syntax.
- •Timeless Knowledge: Architecture patterns, best practices, and methodology (e.g., "TDD Red/Green cycle") go into
reference/files. - •Volatile Details: Specific API syntax, CLI flags, or library versions (e.g., "Vitest config options") MUST be verified via
WebSearchif you are not 100% certain of the current version.- •Trigger: If the skill involves a specific tool (e.g., "Drizzle ORM"), search for its latest documentation before writing the
reference/file.
- •Trigger: If the skill involves a specific tool (e.g., "Drizzle ORM"), search for its latest documentation before writing the
2.5 Minimalism Principle
Default assumption: Claude is already very smart.
Before adding content, ask:
- •Does Claude really need this? (It already knows common tools and concepts)
- •Is this project-specific knowledge Claude couldn't infer?
Prefer:
- •Project-specific conventions and workflows
- •Internal schemas and APIs
- •Domain knowledge unique to your codebase
- •Scripts for complex multi-step workflows (determinism matters)
Avoid:
- •Explaining common tools or concepts Claude already knows
- •Scripts for trivial single-step operations
3. Core Workflow
Phase 1: Taxonomy & Naming
- •Name: Must use gerunds (verb + -ing).
- •✅
managing-d1-migrations - •❌
d1-manager
- •✅
- •Scope: If the skill exceeds 500 lines or covers multiple domains, split it.
Phase 2: Knowledge Segmentation
Decide where the information lives based on the Timeless vs. Volatile rule:
- •
SKILL.md: Navigation logic, decision trees, and triggers ONLY. - •
reference/: Detailed documentation, examples, and timeless concepts. - •
scripts/: Deterministic logic (Python/Bash) to avoid LLM hallucination in complex calculations.
Phase 3: Drafting
- •Create the directory:
mkdir -p .claude/skills/[skill-name]/{reference,scripts,templates}. - •Write
SKILL.mdusing the frontmatter fromtemplates/skill-body.md. - •Write reference files based on your WebSearch findings.
4. Critical Rules (Enforced)
ALWAYS:
- •Use YAML Frontmatter with a specific
descriptionthat includes trigger phrases (WHAT + WHEN). - •Move code examples longer than 20 lines into
reference/orscripts/. - •Explicitly state
Read("reference/...")commands in theSKILL.mdto force context loading (Progressive Disclosure).
NEVER:
- •Create monolithic
SKILL.mdfiles (> 150 lines is a warning, > 500 is illegal). - •Hardcode volatile syntax without validation.
- •Use generic names like "helper" or "utils".