Claude Plugins — Automate Your Business Processes

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2.2 SKILL.md -- How to Teach Claude Your Workflow

SKILL.md: Teach Claude Your Workflow

Lesson 2.2 — The most important file in any plugin

The SKILL.md file is where you capture your expertise. It tells Claude exactly how to perform a task — the steps, the rules, the edge cases, and the expected output. A well-written SKILL.md turns Claude from a general assistant into a domain expert.

The Structure of SKILL.md

Overview

A brief description of what this skill does, who it is for, and when to use it. Sets the context for everything that follows.

Workflow Steps

The numbered steps Claude must follow. Be specific and sequential. Each step should produce a clear intermediate output.

Rules and Constraints

Hard rules Claude must obey: formatting requirements, forbidden actions, quality standards. These prevent common mistakes.

Examples

Show Claude what good output looks like. One or two concrete examples are worth more than paragraphs of abstract instructions.

Writing Effective Instructions

SKILL.md Example

# Lead Scoring Skill

## Overview
Score inbound leads based on company size,
industry fit, and engagement signals.

## Workflow
1. Read the lead data from CRM
2. Check company size (employees, revenue)
3. Match industry against target list
4. Calculate engagement score
5. Assign tier: Hot, Warm, or Cold

## Rules
- Never assign Hot without revenue data
- Always include confidence percentage
- Flag leads with missing fields

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Too Vague

Writing 'analyze the lead' without specifying what to analyze, what criteria to use, or what output to produce. Be specific.

Too Rigid

Dictating exact phrasings or formats for every situation. Give Claude rules and principles, but leave room for contextual judgment.

No Examples

Instructions without examples are ambiguous. Always include at least one concrete example of the expected output.

The Litmus Test

Read your SKILL.md as if you were a new employee on day one. Could you follow these instructions and produce the right output? If not, add more detail.

Key Takeaway

SKILL.md is the heart of every plugin. Invest time in writing clear, specific, example-rich instructions. The quality of this file directly determines the quality of Claude's output.