skill-format

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Official SKILL file format with YAML frontmatter and structure guidelines

dev-hann By dev-hann schedule Updated 2/18/2026

name: skill-format description: Official SKILL file format with YAML frontmatter and structure guidelines license: MIT compatibility: opencode metadata: category: documentation complexity: basic

What I do

  • Create SKILL files with proper YAML frontmatter
  • Follow official structure with sections
  • Use lowercase alphanumeric names for SKILL names
  • Add descriptive metadata
  • Include purpose statement (1 sentence)
  • List related SKILLS at bottom

When to use me

Use this when you need to:

  • Create a new SKILL file
  • Review SKILL format compliance
  • Ensure SKILLS follow official structure

I'll ask clarifying questions if:

  • SKILL format is unclear
  • SKILL name validation needs clarification

Pattern: SKILL File Example

---
name: component-development
description: Create React components with proper props and state
license: MIT
compatibility: opencode
metadata:
  category: development
  complexity: intermediate
---

## What I do
- Create React components with props
- Use TypeScript for type safety
- Handle state with hooks
- Use 'use client' directive when needed

## When to use me
Use this when you need to create a component.

Pattern: SKILL Name Validation

SKILL names must:

  • Be 1-64 characters
  • Be lowercase alphanumeric with single hyphen separators
  • Not start or end with -
  • Not contain consecutive --
  • Match directory name that contains SKILL.md

Valid name: ^[a-z0-9]+(-[a-z0-9]+)*$

Section Order

1. Title (# SKILL: [Name])
2. Purpose statement
3. ## What I do
4. ## When to use me
5. Pattern sections (multiple)
6. Checklist
7. Quick Reference (tables/lists)
8. Related SKILLS links

Metadata Fields

name: skill-name
description: 1-1024 chars describing purpose
license: MIT
compatibility: opencode
metadata:
  category: development | testing | documentation
  complexity: basic | intermediate | advanced
  audience: developers | maintainers
  workflow: github | jira | custom

Code Example Guidelines

// Show both good and bad patterns
// Use ✅ for good practice
// Use ❌ for bad practice
// Keep examples concise
// Focus on common use cases

Formatting Rules

  • Headings: Level 1 only at start
  • Code blocks: Use appropriate language tags
  • Tables: Format with proper columns
  • Lists: Use unordered or ordered lists
  • Emphasis: Bold, italic, code

Checklist

Before creating a SKILL file:

  • Title follows "SKILL: [Name]" format
  • Brief purpose statement (1 sentence)
  • YAML frontmatter with name and description
  • Name validates: lowercase alphanumeric with hyphens
  • Name is 1-64 characters
  • Description is 1-1024 characters
  • Sections include: What I do, When to use me, Pattern sections
  • Code examples are actual code from codebase
  • Checklist section included
  • Quick reference included
  • Related SKILLS listed at bottom
  • Consistent formatting with other SKILLS

Quick Reference

Field Requirement
Title # SKILL: [Name]
Purpose 1 sentence description
Name Lowercase alphanumeric with hyphens, 1-64 chars
Description 1-1024 characters
Sections What I do, When to use me, Patterns, Checklist, Quick Reference
Related SKILLS 3-5 relevant SKILLS
Category Complexity
development basic
development intermediate
testing basic
documentation basic

Related SKILLS: code-standards.md, react-components.md

Install via CLI
npx skills add https://github.com/dev-hann/song --skill skill-format
Repository Details
star Stars 0
call_split Forks 0
navigation Branch main
article Path SKILL.md
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