Skill IO Creator (agentskills.io Framework)

This skill provides the agentskills.io framework for creating distributable skill packages with initialization scripts, validation, and packaging tools.

Note: This is the agentskills.io framework, separate from the official Claude Code skills format. Use skill-creator for official Claude Code skills.

When to Use This vs skill-creator

Use Case	Use This (skill-io-creator)	Use skill-creator
Distributable .skill packages	Yes	No
Script-based scaffolding	Yes	No
Official Claude Code format	No	Yes
Frontmatter with hooks/context	No	Yes

Framework Overview

The agentskills.io framework provides:

1. init_skill.py - Scaffold new skill directories with templates
2. quick_validate.py - Validate skill structure and content
3. package_skill.py - Package skills into distributable .skill files

Skill Structure

skill-name/
├── SKILL.md                 # Required: frontmatter + instructions
├── scripts/                 # Executable code
│   └── helper.py
├── references/              # Documentation loaded into context
│   └── api_reference.md
└── assets/                  # Files used in output (templates, images)
    └── template.pptx

Creating a New Skill

Step 1: Initialize

python scripts/init_skill.py <skill-name> --path <output-directory>

Example:

python scripts/init_skill.py pdf-editor --path ~/.claude/skills

This creates:

• SKILL.md with TODO placeholders
• scripts/example.py - sample executable
• references/api_reference.md - sample documentation
• assets/example_asset.txt - sample asset placeholder

Step 2: Edit SKILL.md

Complete the frontmatter:

---
name: skill-name
description: What it does and WHEN to use it. Include trigger scenarios.
---

Choose a structure pattern:

Pattern	Best For	Example
Workflow-Based	Sequential processes	PDF: Analyze -> Map -> Fill -> Verify
Task-Based	Tool collections	PDF: Merge, Split, Extract
Reference/Guidelines	Standards	Brand: Colors, Typography
Capabilities-Based	Integrated features	PM: numbered capabilities

Step 3: Add Resources

scripts/ - Executable code

• Python scripts, shell scripts
• Must be tested before packaging
• Can be executed without loading into context

references/ - Documentation

• API docs, schemas, policies
• Loaded into context when needed
• Keep SKILL.md lean by moving details here

assets/ - Output files

• Templates, images, fonts
• NOT loaded into context
• Copied/used in final output

Step 4: Validate

python scripts/quick_validate.py <path/to/skill-folder>

Checks:

• YAML frontmatter format
• Required fields (name, description)
• Directory structure
• Naming conventions

Step 5: Package

python scripts/package_skill.py <path/to/skill-folder> [output-dir]

Creates skill-name.skill file (zip with .skill extension).

Core Principles

1. Concise is Key

Context window is shared. Only add what Claude doesn't already know.

2. Progressive Disclosure

1. Metadata (always loaded) - name + description
2. SKILL.md body (on trigger) - instructions
3. Resources (on demand) - scripts, references, assets

Keep SKILL.md under 500 lines.

3. Degrees of Freedom

Level	When	Example
High	Multiple valid approaches	Text guidelines
Medium	Preferred pattern	Pseudocode with params
Low	Fragile operations	Specific scripts

What NOT to Include

• README.md
• INSTALLATION_GUIDE.md
• CHANGELOG.md
• User documentation
• Setup procedures

Design Patterns

Workflow Patterns

For sequential processes, provide overview:

1. Analyze the form (run analyze_form.py)
2. Create field mapping (edit fields.json)
3. Validate mapping (run validate_fields.py)
4. Fill the form (run fill_form.py)

For conditional workflows:

1. Determine type:
   **Creating?** → Follow Creation workflow
   **Editing?** → Follow Editing workflow

See references/workflows.md for more patterns.

Output Patterns

For strict output format:

ALWAYS use this exact template:

# [Title]
## Executive summary
## Key findings
## Recommendations

For flexible output:

Here is a sensible default, adapt as needed:
...

See references/output-patterns.md for more patterns.

Example: Creating a PDF Editor Skill

# 1. Initialize
python scripts/init_skill.py pdf-editor --path ~/.claude/skills

# 2. Edit SKILL.md
# - Update description with trigger scenarios
# - Add workflow steps
# - Reference scripts

# 3. Add scripts
# - scripts/rotate_pdf.py
# - scripts/extract_text.py

# 4. Add references
# - references/pdf_api.md

# 5. Validate
python scripts/quick_validate.py ~/.claude/skills/pdf-editor

# 6. Package
python scripts/package_skill.py ~/.claude/skills/pdf-editor ./dist

Script Usage Reference

init_skill.py

Usage: init_skill.py <skill-name> --path <path>

Skill name requirements:
  - Hyphen-case (e.g., 'data-analyzer')
  - Lowercase letters, digits, hyphens only
  - Max 40 characters

quick_validate.py

Usage: quick_validate.py <path/to/skill-folder>

Validates:
  - Frontmatter syntax
  - Required fields
  - Directory structure

package_skill.py

Usage: package_skill.py <path/to/skill-folder> [output-directory]

Creates .skill file (zip format) for distribution.