Skill Authoring & TDD Documentation FAQs

Question 1

How do I optimize skills for Claude's search?

Accepted Answer

Use Claude Search Optimization (CSO) by starting descriptions with 'Use when...' triggers. Avoid summarizing the workflow in the description, as this can cause Claude to skip the detailed skill content.

Question 2

What is a Claude Code Skill?

Accepted Answer

A skill is a specialized capability or reference guide stored in the ~/.claude/skills directory that provides domain-specific guidance and implementation patterns to enhance Claude's behavior.

Question 3

How does token efficiency affect skill development?

Accepted Answer

Since certain skills load into every conversation, keeping them under specific word counts (e.g., <200 words) prevents context bloat and saves tokens for the actual coding tasks.

Question 4

What is the recommended directory structure for skills?

Accepted Answer

Skills should follow a flat namespace within a 'skills/' directory, where each skill has its own folder containing a required SKILL.md file and optional supporting files.

Question 5

Why use TDD for writing documentation?

Accepted Answer

Applying Test-Driven Development to skills ensures that the documentation is necessary and effective. By watching an agent fail without the skill (RED) and pass with it (GREEN), you prove the documentation actually changes agent behavior.

Skill Authoring & TDD Documentation

Key Features

Use Cases

Skill Authoring & TDD Documentation

Key Features

Use Cases