Turn repeatable work into a skill
Give a recurring task a reusable workflow that a compatible agent can follow.
Define when the skill should be used
A useful skill has a narrow job and a recognizable trigger. Explain the inputs it needs, the output it should produce and the conditions that require clarification. Keep optional reference material separate from the main instructions.
A skill for release-note review
The instruction should make the review reproducible without silently publishing the result.
Create a SKILL.md skill for reviewing draft release notes against an approved change list. Use it when a teammate asks to prepare or check release notes. Compare each stated feature with the supplied changes, flag unsupported availability claims and return a proposed revision plus unresolved questions. Do not invent product behavior, modify the change list or publish the notes. Include an example with a missing rollout date.
Portable instructions still need a compatible environment
Inspect the generated files and check the target agent’s installation instructions. A skill can describe a workflow without having permission or tools to execute every action.
The Agent Skills specification defines a shared format. It does not guarantee identical behavior across clients or make executable scripts safe merely because they are packaged in a skill.
Common questions
Is a skill just a long prompt?
A skill packages a repeatable task with metadata, instructions and, when needed, references or other files. The packaging helps compatible agents discover and load the workflow.
Can I edit a generated skill?
Yes. Review and adapt the generated instructions for your task and client before using them.
Sources and review
Reviewed