---

name: d20-rules description: This skill should be used when the GM needs to look up rules, reference what the SRD says, find official rules, get exact wording, check RAW (rules as written), verify rules references, or understand how mechanics work in d20 5E. Provides authoritative rule clarification from the System Reference Document 5.2. version: 1.0.0

SRD Rule Lookup Skill

Provide authoritative rule lookups from the System Reference Document 5.2 (SRD 5.2). Use the complete SRD markdown files in this skill's references directory to answer questions about official d20 5E rules.

When to Use This Skill

This skill applies when the user:

• Asks "what does the SRD say about..."
• Requests "official rules for..."
• Wants "exact wording of..."
• Asks for "RAW" (rules as written)
• Needs to verify a rule during gameplay
• Questions how a mechanic works

SRD File Organization

The SRD files are located at ${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/skills/d20-rules/references/srd/:

File	Contents	Size
00_Legal.md	CC-BY-4.0 attribution (required for any derivative work)	1KB
01_PlayingTheGame.md	Core mechanics: abilities, D20 tests, actions, combat, damage	62KB
02_CharacterCreation.md	Character creation rules and process	47KB
03_Classes/	Class descriptions (12 files, one per class)	264KB
04_CharacterOrigins.md	Backgrounds, species, and origin features	17KB
05_Feats.md	Feat descriptions and requirements	8KB
06_Equipment.md	Weapons, armor, adventuring gear, trade goods	65KB
07_Spells.md	All spell descriptions (A-Z)	325KB
08_RulesGlossary.md	Alphabetical rules definitions	70KB
09_GameplayToolbox.md	Optional rules and DM tools	48KB
10_MagicItems.md	Magic item descriptions	218KB
11_Monsters.md	Monster creation and CR rules	17KB
12_MonstersA-Z.md	All monster stat blocks (A-Z)	333KB
13_Animals.md	Animal stat blocks and mounts	70KB

Search Patterns for Large Files

For efficient searching of large SRD files, use grep with the following patterns.

Searching Spells (07_Spells.md)

Spells are organized under #### Spell Name headings. Use case-insensitive search:

# Find a specific spell (show 40 lines for full description)
grep -i -A 40 "^#### Fireball" "${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/skills/d20-rules/references/srd/07_Spells.md"

# Find a specific spell by partial name
grep -i -A 40 "^#### .*Lightning" "${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/skills/d20-rules/references/srd/07_Spells.md"

# List all spells starting with a letter
grep "^#### " "${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/skills/d20-rules/references/srd/07_Spells.md" | grep -i "^#### A"

# Search spell descriptions for keywords (e.g., concentration spells)
grep -i -B 2 "Concentration" "${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/skills/d20-rules/references/srd/07_Spells.md" | grep -i "^####"

Searching Monsters (12_MonstersA-Z.md)

Monsters are organized under ## Monster Name headings:

# Find a specific monster (show 60 lines for full stat block)
grep -i -A 60 "^## Adult Red Dragon" "${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/skills/d20-rules/references/srd/12_MonstersA-Z.md"

# Find monsters by partial name
grep -i -A 60 "^## .*Zombie" "${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/skills/d20-rules/references/srd/12_MonstersA-Z.md"

# List all monsters
grep "^## " "${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/skills/d20-rules/references/srd/12_MonstersA-Z.md"

# Find monsters by CR (search for "CR X" pattern in stat blocks)
grep -B 10 "CR 5" "${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/skills/d20-rules/references/srd/12_MonstersA-Z.md" | grep "^##"

Searching Magic Items (10_MagicItems.md)

Magic items use #### Item Name headings:

# Find a specific magic item
grep -i -A 30 "^#### Bag of Holding" "${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/skills/d20-rules/references/srd/10_MagicItems.md"

# Find all items of a rarity
grep -i -B 2 "Rare" "${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/skills/d20-rules/references/srd/10_MagicItems.md" | grep "^####"

Searching Rules Glossary (08_RulesGlossary.md)

Rules definitions use #### Term headings:

# Find a specific rule definition
grep -i -A 15 "^#### Advantage" "${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/skills/d20-rules/references/srd/08_RulesGlossary.md"

# Find rules mentioning a condition
grep -i -A 15 "^#### Frightened" "${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/skills/d20-rules/references/srd/08_RulesGlossary.md"

# List all rule definitions
grep "^#### " "${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/skills/d20-rules/references/srd/08_RulesGlossary.md"

Searching Classes (03_Classes/)

Each class has its own file:

# Find class features
grep -i -A 20 "^## " "${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/skills/d20-rules/references/srd/03_Classes/05_Fighter.md"

# Search all classes for a feature name
grep -ri "Extra Attack" "${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/skills/d20-rules/references/srd/03_Classes/"

Searching Equipment (06_Equipment.md)

# Find weapon properties
grep -i -A 5 "^#### Heavy" "${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/skills/d20-rules/references/srd/06_Equipment.md"

# Find armor stats
grep -i -A 10 "^#### Chain Mail" "${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/skills/d20-rules/references/srd/06_Equipment.md"

Response Format

When answering rule questions:

1. Quote the exact SRD text first (use blockquotes)
2. Cite the source file
3. Explain or clarify if needed
4. Note any related rules

Example response:

From 08_RulesGlossary.md:

Advantage If you have Advantage on a D20 Test, roll two d20s, and use the higher roll. A roll can't be affected by more than one Advantage, and Advantage and Disadvantage on the same roll cancel each other.

This means having multiple sources of Advantage doesn't stack - you still only roll two dice.

Attribution Requirement

When quoting substantial portions of the SRD in any output, include the CC-BY-4.0 attribution from 00_Legal.md:

This work includes material from the System Reference Document 5.2 ("SRD 5.2") by Wizards of the Coast LLC, available at https://www.dndbeyond.com/srd. The SRD 5.2 is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, available at https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/legalcode.

Common Rule Categories

Quick reference for which file to search:

Question About	Search File
How combat works	01_PlayingTheGame.md (## Combat)
Ability checks, saves	01_PlayingTheGame.md (## D20 Tests)
Conditions (blinded, prone, etc.)	08_RulesGlossary.md
Spell effect/description	07_Spells.md
Monster stat block	12_MonstersA-Z.md
Weapon/armor stats	06_Equipment.md
Class feature	03_Classes/[class].md
Magic item effect	10_MagicItems.md
Rest rules	08_RulesGlossary.md (#### Long Rest, #### Short Rest)
Death and dying	01_PlayingTheGame.md (## Damage and Healing)
Cover, visibility	01_PlayingTheGame.md
Encounter building	09_GameplayToolbox.md

Notes

• The SRD contains only rules released under CC-BY-4.0; some PHB content is excluded
• Spell lists are in 07_Spells.md under ### Class Spell Lists
• Creature types and their traits are in 11_Monsters.md
• For animal companions and mounts, check 13_Animals.md