example-skill

What it is

Example Skill (version 1.0.0) is a demonstration skill that ships in the official example-plugin. It shows the structure and format of Claude Code plugin skills. Its description tells Claude to use it when the user asks to "demonstrate skills", "show skill format", "create a skill template", or discusses skill development patterns. It covers three areas: creating or understanding plugin skills, skill template or reference needs, and skill development patterns. The skill explains that skills are model-invoked capabilities. Claude uses them on its own based on the context of the task. Commands work differently because the user invokes them, and agents are spawned by Claude. Skills instead provide contextual guidance that Claude folds into its responses. The template sets out the file layout. The only required file is SKILL.md inside skills/skill-name/. Optional supporting files are a README.md for extra documentation, a references/ directory (for example patterns.md), an examples/ directory (for example sample.md), and a scripts/ directory for helper scripts (for example helper.sh). Four frontmatter fields are documented. The name (skill identifier) and description (trigger conditions) are required. The version (semantic version number) and license (license information or reference) are optional. The skill stresses that the description field is crucial because it tells Claude when to invoke the skill. A good description includes specific trigger phrases users might say, keywords that signal relevance, and the topic areas the skill covers. The skill also lists content guidelines: a clear purpose, conditions for when to use it, structured guidance, actionable instructions, and practical examples where helpful. It closes with best practices for keeping skills focused and making sure they trigger correctly.

Who it's for

• Developers creating Claude Code plugin skills
• Users who want to understand how plugin skills are structured and formatted
• Anyone looking for a skill template or reference for skill development patterns

Requirements

Examples

create a skill template

description: This skill should be used when the user asks to "specific phrase", "another phrase", mentions "keyword", or discusses topic-area.

skills/
└── skill-name/
    └── SKILL.md          # Main skill definition (required)

skills/
└── skill-name/
    ├── SKILL.md          # Main skill definition
    ├── README.md         # Additional documentation
    ├── references/       # Reference materials
    │   └── patterns.md
    ├── examples/         # Example files
    │   └── sample.md
    └── scripts/          # Helper scripts
        └── helper.sh