name: command-creator description: This skill should be used when creating a Claude Code slash command. Use when users ask to "create a command", "make a slash command", "add a command", or want to document a workflow as a reusable command. Essential for creating optimized, agent-executable slash commands with proper structure and best practices. permissions:
- exec: "Runs lightweight local commands such as git checks or directory creation while building the command."
- file_write: "Creates or updates the requested slash-command file in the chosen commands directory."
Command Creator
This skill guides the creation of Claude Code slash commands - reusable workflows that can be invoked with /command-name in Claude Code conversations.
About Slash Commands
Slash commands are markdown files stored in .claude/commands/ (project-level) or ~/.claude/commands/ (global/user-level) that get expanded into prompts when invoked. They're ideal for:
- Repetitive workflows (code review, PR submission, CI fixing)
- Multi-step processes that need consistency
- Agent delegation patterns
- Project-specific automation
When to Use This Skill
Invoke this skill when users:
- Ask to "create a command" or "make a slash command"
- Want to automate a repetitive workflow
- Need to document a consistent process for reuse
- Say "I keep doing X, can we make a command for it?"
- Want to create project-specific or global commands
Bundled Resources
This skill includes reference documentation for detailed guidance:
- patterns.md in this skill's
referencesfolder - Command patterns (workflow automation, iterative fixing, agent delegation, simple execution) - examples.md in this skill's
referencesfolder - Real command examples with full source (submit-stack, ensure-ci, create-implementation-plan) - best-practices.md in this skill's
referencesfolder - Quality checklist, common pitfalls, writing guidelines, template structure
Load these references as needed when creating commands to understand patterns, see examples, or ensure quality.
Safety Boundaries
- Do not create or overwrite commands outside the user-chosen project or global commands directory.
- Do not include destructive steps, hidden network calls, or irreversible operations unless the user asked for them explicitly.
- Do not assume a command should be global when the project directory is the safer default.
- Do not read unrelated files for context when the command can be built from the request and this skill's bundled guides.
Command Structure Overview
Every slash command is a markdown file with:
---
description: Brief description shown in /help (required)
argument-hint: <placeholder> (optional, if command takes arguments)
---
# Command Title
[Detailed instructions for the agent to execute autonomously]
Command Creation Workflow
Step 1: Determine Location
Auto-detect the appropriate location:
- Check git repository status:
git rev-parse --is-inside-work-tree 2>/dev/null - Default location:
- If in git repo → Project-level:
.claude/commands/ - If not in git repo → Global:
~/.claude/commands/
- If in git repo → Project-level:
- Allow user override:
- If user explicitly mentions "global" or "user-level" → Use
~/.claude/commands/ - If user explicitly mentions "project" or "project-level" → Use
.claude/commands/
- If user explicitly mentions "global" or "user-level" → Use
Report the chosen location to the user before proceeding.
Step 2: Show Command Patterns
Help the user understand different command types. Load patterns.md from this skill's references folder to see available patterns:
- Workflow Automation - Analyze → Act → Report (e.g., submit-stack)
- Iterative Fixing - Run → Parse → Fix → Repeat (e.g., ensure-ci)
- Agent Delegation - Context → Delegate → Iterate (e.g., create-implementation-plan)
- Simple Execution - Run command with args (e.g., codex-review)
Ask the user: "Which pattern is closest to what you want to create?" This helps frame the conversation.
Step 3: Gather Command Information
Ask the user for key information:
A. Command Name and Purpose
Ask:
- "What should the command be called?" (for filename)
- "What does this command do?" (for description field)
Guidelines:
- Command names MUST be kebab-case (hyphens, NOT underscores)
- ✅ CORRECT:
submit-stack,ensure-ci,create-from-plan - ❌ WRONG:
submit_stack,ensure_ci,create_from_plan
- ✅ CORRECT:
- File names match command names:
my-command.md→ invoked as/my-command - Description should be concise, action-oriented (appears in
/helpoutput)
B. Arguments
Ask:
- "Does this command take any arguments?"
- "Are arguments required or optional?"
- "What should arguments represent?"
If command takes arguments:
- Add
argument-hint: <placeholder>to frontmatter - Use
<angle-brackets>for required arguments - Use
[square-brackets]for optional arguments
C. Workflow Steps
Ask:
- "What are the specific steps this command should follow?"
- "What order should they happen in?"
- "What tools or commands should be used?"
Gather details about:
- Initial analysis or checks to perform
- Main actions to take
- How to handle results
- Success criteria
- Error handling approach
D. Tool Restrictions and Guidance
Ask:
- "Should this command use any specific agents or tools?"
- "Are there any tools or operations it should avoid?"
- "Should it read any specific files for context?"
Step 4: Generate Optimized Command
Create the command file with agent-ready instructions. Load best-practices.md from this skill's references folder for:
- Template structure
- Best practices for agent execution
- Writing style guidelines
- Quality checklist
Key principles:
- Use imperative/infinitive form (verb-first instructions)
- Be explicit and specific
- Include expected outcomes
- Provide concrete examples
- Define clear error handling
Step 5: Create the Command File
-
Determine full file path:
- Project:
.claude/commands/[command-name].md - Global:
~/.claude/commands/[command-name].md
- Project:
-
Ensure directory exists:
mkdir -p [directory-path] -
Write the command file using the Write tool
-
Confirm with user:
- Report the file location
- Summarize what the command does
- Explain how to use it:
/command-name [arguments]
Step 6: Test and Iterate (Optional)
If the user wants to test:
- Suggest testing:
You can test this command by running: /command-name [arguments] - Be ready to iterate based on feedback
- Update the file with improvements as needed
Quick Tips
For detailed guidance, load the bundled references:
- Load patterns.md from this skill's
referencesfolder when designing the command workflow - Load examples.md from this skill's
referencesfolder to see how existing commands are structured - Load best-practices.md from this skill's
referencesfolder before finalizing to ensure quality
Common patterns to remember:
- Use Bash tool for
pytest,pyright,ruff,prettier,make,gtcommands - Use Task tool to invoke subagents for specialized tasks
- Check for specific files first (e.g.,
.PLAN.md) before proceeding - Mark todos complete immediately, not in batches
- Include explicit error handling instructions
- Define clear success criteria
Summary
When creating a command:
- Detect location (project vs global)
- Show patterns to frame the conversation
- Gather information (name, purpose, arguments, steps, tools)
- Generate optimized command with agent-executable instructions
- Create file at appropriate location
- Confirm and iterate as needed
Focus on creating commands that agents can execute autonomously, with clear steps, explicit tool usage, and proper error handling.