name: writing-skills description: Use when creating new skills, editing existing skills, or verifying skills work before deployment.

Writing Skills

Overview

Writing skills IS Test-Driven Development applied to process documentation. Write pressure tests, watch agents fail, write the skill, watch them pass, close loopholes.

Core principle: If you did not watch an agent fail without the skill, you do not know if the skill teaches the right thing.

TDD for Skills

Skill Structure

• YAML frontmatter: name and description only
• Description: "Use when..." (triggering conditions only, never summarize workflow)
• Flat namespace, separate files only for heavy reference or reusable tools

Tool Use

Meta-skill for creating new skills within the methodology.