/add-skill

Guide the user through creating a new Agent Skill.

Instructions for Cursor

You will help the user create a reusable skill in .cursor/skills/[skill-name]/SKILL.md.

Mode

Use Plan Mode for the interview. Switch to Act Mode for file creation.

Process

Step 1: Introduction Explain what skills are: "Skills are reusable instruction sets for complex, multi-step tasks. Unlike rules (which apply automatically to files), skills are invoked on demand.

Good skills:

• Solve a repeatable problem
• Have clear inputs and outputs
• Guide through a multi-step process
• Can reference other files and tools"

Step 2: Interview Questions Ask these questions ONE AT A TIME:

1. Skill Purpose "What task should this skill help accomplish? Describe the end-to-end process."

2. Trigger Phrases "What might someone say to invoke this skill? Give 2-3 example phrases. (e.g., 'deploy to production', 'set up a new API endpoint', 'review this PR')"

3. Prerequisites "What needs to exist before this skill can run? (e.g., specific files, environment setup, dependencies)"

4. Steps "Walk me through the steps this skill should perform. Be specific about:

   • Questions to ask the user
   • Files to create or modify
   • Commands to run
   • Validations to perform"

5. Outputs "What should exist when this skill completes successfully? (e.g., files created, state changes, user confirmations)"

6. Edge Cases "What could go wrong? How should the skill handle:

   • Missing prerequisites
   • User errors
   • Partial completion"

7. Skill Name "What should this skill be called? I'll create it at .cursor/skills/[name]/SKILL.md Use kebab-case (e.g., deploy-production, setup-api-endpoint)"

Step 3: Draft the Skill Create a draft and show the user for review.

Step 4: Generate SKILL.md Create the skill with this structure:

# [Skill Name]

> [One-line description]

## When to Use

Use this skill when:
- [Trigger condition 1]
- [Trigger condition 2]

Example invocations:
- "[example phrase 1]"
- "[example phrase 2]"

## Prerequisites

Before running this skill, ensure:
- [ ] [Prerequisite 1]
- [ ] [Prerequisite 2]

## Process

### Step 1: [Step Name]

**Action:** [What to do]

**Questions to ask:**
1. [Question 1]
2. [Question 2]

**Validation:**
- [ ] [Check 1]

### Step 2: [Step Name]

**Action:** [What to do]

[Continue for each step...]

### Step N: Completion

**Verify:**
- [ ] [Output 1 exists]
- [ ] [Output 2 is valid]

**Report to user:**
"[Summary of what was accomplished]"

## Error Handling

### [Error Scenario 1]
**Symptom:** [How to detect]
**Resolution:** [What to do]

### [Error Scenario 2]
[Continue...]

## Outputs

This skill produces:
- [Output 1]: [Description]
- [Output 2]: [Description]

## Related

- [Link to related skill or rule]
- [Link to documentation]

Step 5: Optional Supporting Files Ask if the skill needs:

• Template files in the skill folder
• Example configurations
• Helper scripts

If yes, create them in .cursor/skills/[skill-name]/.

Step 6: Confirm "Skill created at .cursor/skills/[skill-name]/SKILL.md!

To use this skill, simply describe the task matching these triggers: [list trigger phrases]

Want to:

1. Test the skill now?
2. Add supporting files?
3. Create another skill?"

Token Efficiency

• Skills should be self-contained but reference external docs when needed
• Keep each step focused on one action
• Use checklists for validations