skill-creator

name: skill-creator description: "Create or update agent skills for the Agno framework. Use when designing, structuring, or packaging skills with instructions, scripts, and references." metadata: version: "1.0.0" author: agno-team

Skill Creator

Guide for creating effective skills for Agno agents.

What is a Skill?

A skill is a self-contained directory that extends an agent's capabilities with domain-specific knowledge, workflows, and tools.

Skill Structure

skill-name/
  SKILL.md              # Required: YAML frontmatter + instructions
  scripts/              # Optional: executable scripts
  references/           # Optional: reference documentation

SKILL.md Format

Every SKILL.md consists of:

Frontmatter (YAML, required)

---
name: my-skill
description: What this skill does and when to use it
license: MIT
metadata:
  version: "1.0.0"
  author: your-name
  tags: ["category1", "category2"]
---

Required fields: name, description Optional fields: license, metadata, compatibility, allowed-tools

Body (Markdown, required)

Instructions and guidance for using the skill. Only loaded when the skill is activated.

Design Principles

Be Concise

The agent is already smart. Only add context it doesn't already have. Challenge each piece: "Does the agent really need this explanation?"

Progressive Disclosure

1. Metadata (name + description) - Always in context (~100 words)
2. SKILL.md body - Loaded when skill triggers
3. References/Scripts - Loaded on demand

Match Freedom to Task

• High freedom (text instructions): When multiple approaches are valid
• Medium freedom (scripts with parameters): When a preferred pattern exists
• Low freedom (specific scripts): When operations are fragile

Naming Rules

• Lowercase letters, digits, and hyphens only
• Under 64 characters
• Prefer short, verb-led phrases: code-review, git-workflow
• Directory name must match skill name

Creating a Skill

Step 1: Define the purpose

What concrete examples will this skill handle? What triggers it?

Step 2: Plan the contents

For each example, identify:

• What scripts would help automate repeated tasks?
• What reference docs would inform the agent?

Step 3: Create the directory

mkdir -p my-skill/{scripts,references}

Step 4: Write SKILL.md

1. Write clear frontmatter with a descriptive description
2. Write concise instructions in the body
3. Reference scripts and references by path

Step 5: Add resources

• Scripts: Executable code for repeated tasks
• References: Documentation loaded on demand
• Keep SKILL.md under 500 lines; split into references if needed

Step 6: Test

Load the skill with your agent and test with real prompts.

What NOT to Include

• README.md, CHANGELOG.md, or other auxiliary docs
• Installation guides or setup procedures for the skill itself
• User-facing documentation (the skill IS for the agent, not the user)

Reference Organization

For skills with multiple domains, organize by topic:

bigquery-skill/
  SKILL.md
  references/
    finance.md
    sales.md
    product.md

The agent loads only the relevant reference when needed.