Writing Your First Custom Skill

Four Steps to a Skill

• **Step 1 — Create the file** — Just a markdown file at `.claude/commands/check-component.md`. That's the only location requirement.
• **Step 2 — Add frontmatter** — name, description, argument-hint, and allowed-tools in a YAML block. This controls how the skill behaves and what it can access.
• **Step 3 — Write instructions** — Numbered steps telling the AI what to do. 'Find the component, verify it extends CustomComponent, check lifecycle methods, report findings with file:line references.'
• **Step 4 — Use it** — Type `/check-component hero` and the AI follows your instructions exactly. No JavaScript, no API, no build step.

Build One Right Now

1. 1 **Find your first candidate** — Think of an instruction you've given AI more than twice. A build checker, a convention reminder, a component scaffolder. That's your first skill.
2. 2 Create the skill file now
   • › Create `.claude/commands/your-skill.md`
   • › Add frontmatter: name, description, argument-hint, allowed-tools
   • › Write 3-5 numbered instruction steps
   • › Test with `/your-skill <argument>`
3. 3 **Commit to git** — Once the skill file is in version control, your entire team has the skill automatically. Shared knowledge encoded as a file.
4. 4 **Start small, iterate** — Your first skill doesn't need to be perfect. Get it working, then refine the instructions as you use it.