Top Agent Skills

Agent Skills

Modular capability packages that extend Claude's functionality. Learn how to develop, deploy, and optimize Agent Skills to achieve advanced features like code execution, document processing, and data analysis.

Advanced Techniques

Agent Skills Optimization

Master advanced optimization techniques to maximize reliability, performance, and efficiency of your Agent Skills

Key Optimization Areas
  • Triggering and activation accuracy
  • Context and token efficiency
  • Reliability and consistency
  • Composability and advanced patterns
  • Development and iteration workflow

1. Triggering and Activation Optimization

YAML Frontmatter is Critical
  • name
    Clear, unique identifier for the skill
  • description
    Third-person, action-oriented with specific trigger terms
  • Example
    Use "Use this skill when analyzing Excel spreadsheets with formulas" instead of vague "Handles documents"
  • Keywords
    Include common user phrases or task keywords
Avoid Overlap
  • Distinct Descriptions
    Ensure descriptions are unique from other Skills
  • Prevent Conflicts
    Avoid similar trigger words across skills
Test Activation
  • Separate Sessions
    Use one Claude for user tasks, another to observe Skill triggering
  • Iterative Refinement
    Refine descriptions based on activation patterns
Optimized YAML Example
Clear, specific descriptions improve activation accuracy
---
name: "excel-formula-analyzer"
description: "Use this skill when analyzing Excel spreadsheets with complex formulas,
  calculating financial metrics, or troubleshooting spreadsheet errors.
  Handles .xlsx, .xls files with formulas, pivot tables, and charts."
allowed-tools: [Read, Execute, Write]
version: "1.0.0"
author: "Your Name"
tags: ["excel", "spreadsheet", "formula", "analysis"]
---

2. Context and Token Efficiency

1

Level 1: Metadata

Only name/description pre-loaded at startup

Always LoadedToken Cost: Low (~10-50 tokens)
2

Level 2: SKILL.md

Full instructions loaded only on activation

On DemandToken Cost: Medium (~500-2000 tokens)
3

Level 3: Reference Files

Additional docs loaded on-demand

On DemandToken Cost: High (only when needed)
Progressive Disclosure Structure
Organize files for efficient loading
skill-folder/
├── SKILL.md              # High-level workflows, quick refs
├── REFERENCE.md          # In-depth docs, guidelines
├── EXAMPLES.md           # Detailed examples
├── TROUBLESHOOTING.md    # Error handling
└── scripts/              # Executable utilities
Keep SKILL.md under 500 lines (~10,000 tokens)
Use markdown links for progressive disclosure
Reference files don't consume context until accessed

3. Reliability and Consistency

Concrete Examples

Include 3-5 varied, full input/output examples

# Example 1: Processing CSV data
Input: "data.csv" with sales figures
Output:
- Total sales: $45,230
- Top product: Widget A ($12,450)
- Growth rate: +15.3%
Phased Workflows

Break tasks into explicit steps

Phases:Plan → Execute → Validate → Cleanup
Error Handling

  • Anticipate common failures
  • Add robust error checking in scripts
  • Use validation loops
Prefer Scripts Over Generation

Offload deterministic tasks to executable code

Benefit: More reliable than pure LLM output

4. Composability and Advanced Patterns

Modular Design

Design narrow, modular Skills for natural chaining

Hybrid with Tools

Restrict via allowed-tools or encourage parallel tool use

Validation Patterns

Self-check loops with or without scripts

Cleanup Instructions

Always clean up temporary files

5. Development and Iteration Workflow

1

Start with skill-creator

Built-in helper for rapid prototyping

2

Iterative Testing

Evaluate baseline, build incrementally

3

Model Testing

Use multiple models (Haiku for speed, Opus/Sonnet)

4

Versioning

Track changes, use API for management

Resources and References
Official documentation and community resources
Official Repo

Examples for documents, creative tasks

github.com/anthropics/skills
Documentation

Official best practices guide

docs.claude.com/en/docs/agents-and-tools/agent-skills/best-practices
Community

Curated skill lists

awesome-claude-skills

Enterprise Benefits

Organization-wide deployment
Partner directory integrations
Scalable skill management
Enterprise security controls

Start small, iterate based on logs/observations, and your Skills will evolve into robust agent extensions!