Contextual agent skills

Keep the workflow stable as facts change

Separate the reusable instructions from the business facts that change between tasks.

The skill describes the method; sources supply the facts

A sales-response skill should not freeze a price list inside its instructions. Describe the response method in the skill and identify which current source must supply pricing, availability and approved claims.

Keep the method separate so you can update the facts and spot missing context before the agent answers.

A reusable proposal-review skill

The skill should specify source checks the agent can perform with the access available to it.

Illustrative skill requirements
Review a draft proposal against the pricing and product documents explicitly supplied for this engagement. Match claims to those sources, list exceptions and identify any unsupported commitments. If current pricing is missing, stop the pricing review and request the authoritative document. Produce a review memo, not an approved proposal. Never retrieve an external customer record without authorization.

Check that the agent can read the context

A skill naming a source does not automatically connect to it. Use the supported file or Memory access path and verify that the current client receives the intended material. Keep customer data scoped to the task.

Common questions

Should a skill contain every company policy?

Usually it should state which policy is required and how to apply it. Keep large or changing reference material separate, with a clear version and access path.

Sources and review

Reviewed

Put the workflow to work.