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
| TDD Concept | Skill Creation | |-------------|----------------| | Test case | Pressure scenario with subagent | | Production code | Skill document (SKILL.md) | | RED | Agent violates rule without skill | | GREEN | Agent complies with skill present | | REFACTOR | Close loopholes |
Skill Structure
- YAML frontmatter:
nameanddescriptiononly - 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.