---

name: skill-architect description: > Expert guide for creating OpenCode skills. Use when: (1) Creating new skills with scripts and resources, (2) Learning skill design patterns, (3) Validating existing skills, (4) Choosing the right skill archetype.

Skill Architect

Create high-quality OpenCode skills.

Quick Start

Goal	Action
Create a new skill	npx tsx scripts/init.ts <name>
Validate existing skill	npx tsx scripts/validate.ts <path>
Deep analysis	Use @skill-analyzer subagent

What is a Skill?

Skills are domain knowledge packages with optional scripts and resources:

my-skill/
├── SKILL.md          # Instructions (always loaded)
├── scripts/          # Executable code
├── references/       # Documentation (loaded on demand)
└── assets/           # Templates, images, files

Location: .opencode/skills/<name>/

Use a skill when you need:

• Executable scripts for external APIs or complex operations
• Reference documentation for domain knowledge
• Templates or assets for output generation
• Multi-step workflows with decision trees

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Context Efficiency

Skills load into the main context window. To keep context lean:

1. Keep SKILL.md under 500 lines - Move details to references/
2. Use subagents for heavy analysis - They run in isolated context
3. Progressive disclosure - Load references only when needed
4. Scripts execute, not read - Zero token cost

When to Use Subagents

Operation	Main Context	Subagent
Quick validation	✓
Deep file analysis		✓
Multi-file comparison		✓
Pattern matching		✓
Simple scaffolding	✓

For comprehensive skill analysis, delegate to the @skill-analyzer subagent.

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Creating a Skill

Phase 1: Discovery

Understand what the skill needs to do:

1. List 3-5 concrete use cases
2. Identify what Claude doesn't already know (proprietary formats, APIs, sequences)
3. Determine if scripts are needed (repetitive operations, external APIs)

Phase 2: Choose Archetype

Select the pattern that fits your use case (see references/archetypes.md):

Type	When to Use	Example
Workflow	Multi-step processes with clear sequence	deploy-buddy
Tool Collection	Related operations, no fixed order	atlassian
Guidelines	Standards, policies, brand rules	brand-voice
Integration	External API/service integration	stripe-sync

Phase 3: Scaffold

npx tsx scripts/init.ts <name>

Creates the directory structure with a template SKILL.md.

Phase 4: Implement

Write your SKILL.md following these guidelines:

1. Keep it under 500 lines - Move details to references
2. Start with a decision tree - Help Claude pick the right workflow
3. Show, don't tell - Concrete examples beat abstract descriptions
4. Include error recovery - What to do when things fail

Phase 5: Validate

npx tsx scripts/validate.ts .opencode/skills/<name>

Fix any errors and address warnings.

Phase 6: Iterate

Test with real queries. Refine based on what you observe.

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Writing Effective Instructions

Four core principles (details in references/patterns.md):

1. Claude is Already Smart

Don't explain obvious things. Focus on what Claude doesn't know:

• Proprietary formats and schemas
• Business-specific logic
• Required sequences and dependencies

2. Match Specificity to Fragility

Operation Type	Instruction Style
Flexible	Prose guidelines
Preferred pattern	Pseudocode, parameters
Fragile (must be exact)	Exact scripts, strict templates

3. Show, Don't Tell

• Concrete examples > abstract descriptions
• Input/output pairs for format expectations
• Real error messages with solutions

4. Progressive Disclosure

• SKILL.md = entry point (always loaded)
• references/ = details (on demand)
• scripts/ = execute without reading

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Skill Structure

SKILL.md

The main entry point. Must have YAML frontmatter:

---
name: my-skill
description: >
  [What it does]. Use when: (1) [Trigger 1], (2) [Trigger 2], (3) [Trigger 3].
---

Required fields:

Field	Requirements
name	Kebab-case, matches directory name, max 64 chars, no consecutive hyphens
description	20-1024 chars, no angle brackets (< or >), include numbered triggers

Optional fields:

---
name: my-skill
description: >
  [What it does]. Use when: (1) [Trigger 1], (2) [Trigger 2].
license: MIT                      # License identifier
allowed-tools:                    # Restrict which tools the skill can use
  - read
  - write
  - bash
metadata:                         # Custom metadata
  version: "1.0"
  author: "Team Name"
---

Field	Purpose
license	License identifier (e.g., "MIT", "Apache-2.0")
allowed-tools	List of tools the skill is permitted to use
metadata	Custom key-value pairs (version, author, etc.)

scripts/

Executable code. Prefer TypeScript (npx tsx).

references/

Documentation loaded on demand. Use for content over 100 lines.

assets/

Files used in output (templates, images). Not loaded into context.

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Scripts Reference

init.ts

npx tsx scripts/init.ts my-tool

Creates .opencode/skills/my-tool/ with template files.

validate.ts

npx tsx scripts/validate.ts .opencode/skills/my-tool

Errors (must fix): Missing SKILL.md, invalid frontmatter, bad name/description

Warnings (should fix): Over 500 lines, missing references, weak description

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Common Mistakes

Mistake	Fix
Explaining the obvious	Delete it - Claude knows
Vague instructions	Be specific: "If X, do Y"
Missing decision tree	Add workflow routing at top
Weak description	Add numbered trigger scenarios
Wall of text	Move to references

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Subagent: skill-analyzer

For deep analysis without bloating main context, use:

@skill-analyzer Analyze the skill at .opencode/skills/my-tool

The subagent runs in its own context and returns a concise summary.

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Examples

See references/examples/ for annotated skills:

• deploy-buddy.md - Workflow skill
• stripe-sync.md - Integration skill