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Official agent skill

Skill Writer

by getsentry in getsentry/skills

Create, synthesize, and iteratively improve agent skills following the Agent Skills specification.

OfficialApache-2.0Auto-check passedAgent Workflows

Install Skill Writer

skills CLI
$ npx skills add getsentry/skills --skill skill-writer -a claude-code

Project install by default; add -g for ~/.claude/skills/.

GitHub CLI
$ gh skill install getsentry/skills skill-writer --agent claude-code

Project scope by default; add --scope user for a personal install. Needs GitHub CLI 2.90.0 or later (public preview).

Manual copy
$ git clone --depth 1 https://github.com/getsentry/skills.git skills-src && mkdir -p .claude/skills && cp -r skills-src/skills/skill-writer .claude/skills/skill-writer && rm -rf skills-src

Use ~/.claude/skills/ instead of .claude/skills for a personal install. The folder must contain SKILL.md.

Claude Code skills documentation · loads skills from .claude/skills/

Facts

Skill name
skill-writer
GitHub stars
1k
Token cost
~2.5k tokens
SKILL.md length
1,086 words
Files
47 (incl. scripts, references)
Skills in repo
27
Repo updated
First seen
Licence
Apache-2.0

At a glance

Create, synthesize, and iteratively improve agent skills following the Agent Skills specification.

  • Works in 6 steps: Resolve target, path, and shape → Run synthesis when needed → Run iteration first when improving from… → …
  • Asked to create a skill
  • SKILL.md covers Core Workflow References, Artifact Layout References, Workflow Mechanic References and Claude Code References, plus 8 more sections
  • Synthesize sources into a skill

What it does

Skill Writer is an agent skill from getsentry/skills, published by the product's own GitHub organization. Create, synthesize, and iteratively improve agent skills following the Agent Skills specification. Use when asked to "create a skill", "write a skill", "synthesize sources into a skill", "improve a skill from positive/negative examples", "update a skill", or "maintain skill docs and registration". Handles source capture, precision passes, authoring, registration, and validation.

Its SKILL.md is about 2.5k tokens, which your agent loads only when the skill is triggered. The skill folder holds 49 other files, including scripts and reference files (for example `EVAL.md`, `SOURCES.md` and `SPEC.md`).

It sits in Agent Workflows, covering Skill authoring. The repository describes itself as: Agent Skills used by the Sentry team for development. The licence is Apache-2.0.

When your agent uses it

  • Asked to create a skill
  • Synthesize sources into a skill
  • Improve a skill from positive/negative examples
  • Maintain skill docs and registration

Example prompts

  • “create a skill”
  • “write a skill”
  • “synthesize sources into a skill”
  • “/skill-writer”

Workflow steps

6 steps, taken from the step headings in SKILL.md.

  1. Resolve target, path, and shape
  2. Run synthesis when needed
  3. Run iteration first when improving from outcomes/examples
  4. Author or update skill artifacts
  5. Optimize description quality
  6. Register and validate

What it can do on your machine

Read from SKILL.md and the folder at commit d18b7aa. It shows what the files ask for, not the result of running them.

  • Tool permissions

    Pre-approves nothing: there is no allowed-tools line, so your agent's usual permission prompts apply.

    From allowed-tools in the SKILL.md frontmatter.

  • Runs code

    Ships 1 file in scripts/, which the agent can run.

    From the folder's file list and the shell code blocks in SKILL.md.

  • Network

    No URLs in SKILL.md.

    From URLs in SKILL.md, links to its own repository left out.

  • Credentials

    Names no API keys, tokens, secrets or passwords.

    From names ending in _API_KEY, _TOKEN, _SECRET, _KEY or _PASSWORD in SKILL.md.

Context cost

Skill Writer loads about 2.5k tokens when it runs, and up to ~20k if it reads all its reference files. Until then it costs about 99 tokens; SKILL.md has 1,086 words of instructions outside code blocks.

Always · name and description, kept in context so the agent knows when to use it
~99
When it runs · the whole SKILL.md, loaded when a task matches
~2.5k
With references · SKILL.md plus every file in references/, read only if the agent opens them
~20k

Estimates: characters ÷ 4, the usual rule of thumb; real counts depend on the model's tokenizer. Scripts and assets cost tokens only if the agent reads them.

Safety

Auto-check passed

The automated check found no risky patterns in SKILL.md.

Automated static check — not a guarantee. Review scripts before installing. It scans the text of SKILL.md for risky patterns (piping downloads into a shell, reading credential files, hidden Unicode, destructive commands); the scripts in this folder are not scanned.

SKILL.md

The full file from getsentry/skills at commit d18b7aa, republished under its Apache-2.0 licence (© getsentry). 1,086 words, ~2,505 tokens.

Download SKILL.mdSave it as .claude/skills/skill-writer/SKILL.md (or your agent's skills folder). This skill also uses 46 other files; get the full folder from GitHub.
name
skill-writer
description
Create, synthesize, and iteratively improve agent skills following the Agent Skills specification. Use when asked to "create a skill", "write a skill", "synthesize sources into a skill", "improve a skill from positive/negative examples", "update a skill", or "maintain skill docs and registration". Handles source capture, precision passes, authoring, registration, and validation.

Skill Writer

Use this as the single canonical workflow for skill creation and improvement. Primary success condition: maximize high-value input coverage before authoring while minimizing wasted runtime tokens.

Follow the workflow steps in order. Load only the reference files required for the step you are on. SKILL.md is the primary router: every bundled reference file should be flat under references/ and listed here with a direct "open when..." reason.

Core Workflow References

Open when you need to...Read
choose the minimum workflow path for create, update, iterate, or research-first workreferences/mode-selection.md
choose the simplest adequate execution shape before deciding filesreferences/execution-shapes.md
apply writing constraints for depth, concision, and portabilityreferences/design-principles.md
decide what belongs in SKILL.md, references/, SPEC.md, or supporting filesreferences/reference-architecture.md
create or update the maintenance contract for a skillreferences/spec-template.md
find missing high-signal sources, including history and regressionsreferences/source-discovery.md
adapt an upstream prompt, workflow, rubric, benchmark, or docs into a skillreferences/source-adaptation.md
run the full synthesis pass with coverage checks and source capturereferences/synthesis-path.md
author or update SKILL.md, SPEC.md, and supporting filesreferences/authoring-path.md
improve trigger language and false-positive/false-negative behaviorreferences/description-optimization.md
iterate from positive, negative, or fix examplesreferences/iteration-path.md
store persistent working and holdout examples for future revisionsreferences/iteration-evidence.md
choose a response template, schema, or output contractreferences/output-contracts.md
add or update evals for a skill's generated outputs or runtime behaviorreferences/skill-evals.md
troubleshoot overloaded layouts, hidden refs, or other structure failuresreferences/structure-troubleshooting.md
register the skill and run final validation checksreferences/registration-validation.md

Artifact Layout References

Open when you need to...Read
keep the whole skill inline in one coherent SKILL.mdreferences/layout-inline-skill.md
split optional deep knowledge into focused routed referencesreferences/layout-reference-backed-skill.md
add scripts for deterministic automation or validationreferences/layout-script-backed-workflow.md
define a skill that is usually invoked with explicit argumentsreferences/layout-argument-driven-skill.md
ship reusable templates, schemas, or other static assetsreferences/layout-asset-template-skill.md

Workflow Mechanic References

Open when you need to...Read
break a task into fixed ordered stepsreferences/workflow-prompt-chaining.md
classify requests and route them to different downstream pathsreferences/workflow-routing.md
split independent work into parallel units or votesreferences/workflow-parallel.md
discover work units dynamically and coordinate worker outputsreferences/workflow-orchestrator-workers.md
run validate-fix-repeat checks during authoring or executionreferences/workflow-validation-loops.md
validate a plan before executing a risky actionreferences/workflow-plan-validate-execute.md

Claude Code References

Open when you need to...Read
use Claude-specific frontmatter or invocation controlsreferences/claude-frontmatter-invocation.md
use Claude argument fields or substitution variablesreferences/claude-argument-substitutions.md
build a skill that runs in isolated context: forkreferences/claude-subagent-fork.md
build a skill that uses Claude hooks for deterministic enforcementreferences/claude-hook-backed.md
use Claude shell preprocessing for dynamic context injectionreferences/claude-dynamic-context.md

Example Profiles

Open when you need to...Read
see the expected depth for a documentation-heavy skillreferences/example-documentation-skill.md
see the expected depth for a workflow-process skillreferences/example-workflow-process-skill.md
see what a good routed skill looks likereferences/example-router-skill.md
see what a good subagent-fork skill looks likereferences/example-subagent-fork-skill.md
see what a good hook-backed skill looks likereferences/example-hook-backed-skill.md

Step 1: Resolve target, path, and shape

  1. Resolve the intended operation (create, update, synthesize, iterate) and inspect workspace prior art before choosing where files belong.
  2. Choose the target skill root from observed conventions. If the canonical location is still unclear after inspection, ask one direct question before editing files.
  3. Read references/mode-selection.md to choose the minimum required workflow paths.
  4. Read references/execution-shapes.md to choose the primary execution shape.
  5. Default to the simplest adequate shape. If selecting a more complex shape, record why simpler shapes were rejected.
  6. Load only the exact artifact-layout, workflow-mechanic, and provider-specific leaf files required by that shape.
  7. Before adding guidance, identify what existing rule, section, or file should be narrowed, replaced, or removed.
  8. Record portability implications before using provider-specific mechanics.

Step 2: Run synthesis when needed

Read references/synthesis-path.md.

  1. Use this path for new skills, material changes, and research-first planning.
  2. Collect and score relevant sources with provenance.
  3. Read references/source-discovery.md when source material is thin, stale, or ambiguous.
  4. Read references/source-adaptation.md when adapting an upstream prompt, workflow, rubric, benchmark, or docs.
  5. Produce source-backed decisions and coverage/gap status, including the class and execution-shape choice.
  6. Load example profiles only when they add concrete depth for the selected class or shape.
  7. If the skill uses provider-specific mechanics, include current official provider docs and capture usage constraints.
  8. Do not move to authoring until required coverage is understood or gaps are explicit.
Show full SKILL.md (380 more words)Show less

Step 3: Run iteration first when improving from outcomes/examples

Read references/iteration-path.md first when selected path includes iteration (for example operation iterate).

  1. Capture and anonymize examples with provenance.
  2. Read references/iteration-evidence.md when examples should persist beyond the current turn.
  3. Review skill behavior against working and holdout slices.
  4. Propose improvements from positive/negative/fix evidence.
  5. Carry concrete behavior deltas into authoring.

Skip this step when selected path does not include iteration.

Step 4: Author or update skill artifacts

Read references/authoring-path.md.

  1. Write or update SKILL.md in imperative voice with trigger-rich description.
  2. Keep SKILL.md as the runtime router, not an encyclopedia.
  3. Run the pre-edit precision check in references/authoring-path.md before creating new sections or files.
  4. Read references/reference-architecture.md before adding bulk instructions or new reference files.
  5. Create or update SPEC.md using references/spec-template.md when creating a new skill or materially changing its contract.
  6. Create focused reference files, scripts, and assets only when each one has a clear "open when..." reason and cannot be handled by tightening an existing file.
  7. If you add a bundled reference file, add a direct routing entry for it in this SKILL.md.
  8. Prefer checklists, tables, templates, and input/output examples over explanatory prose.
  9. Follow only the specific artifact-layout, workflow-mechanic, Claude-specific, and output-contract references selected for this skill.
  10. For advanced execution shapes, add the required routing, delegation, or safety contracts before considering the skill complete.
  11. For authoring/generator skills, include transformed examples in references:
  • happy-path
  • secure/robust variant
  • anti-pattern + corrected version
  1. Read references/skill-evals.md when the request asks for evals, regression cases, benchmark cases, or model-graded quality checks for the skill being authored.
  2. After any skill artifact changes, run the post-change precision pass in references/authoring-path.md before description optimization or validation.

Step 5: Optimize description quality

Read references/description-optimization.md.

  1. Validate should-trigger and should-not-trigger query sets.
  2. Reduce false positives and false negatives with targeted description edits.
  3. Keep trigger language generic across providers unless the skill is intentionally provider-specific.

Step 6: Register and validate

Read references/registration-validation.md.

  1. Apply repository registration steps for the active layout you verified in the workspace.
  2. Run quick validation for structural checks.
  3. Review validator warnings, precision-pass results, and coverage gaps with judgment before completion.

Output format

Return:

  1. Summary
  2. Changes Made
  3. Validation Results
  4. Open Gaps

© getsentry, Apache-2.0. Rendered from Markdown: HTML in the file is shown as text, images as links, and headings moved down two levels. Raw file

Files

SKILL.md and 46 other files (scripts, references) in skills/skill-writer of getsentry/skills.

  • SKILL.md
  • EVAL.md
  • SOURCES.md
  • SPEC.md
  • evals/axis.config.json
  • evals/scenarios/iteration-from-bad-output.json
  • evals/scenarios/reference-backed-integration.json
  • evals/scenarios/small-inline-workflow.json
  • references/authoring-path.md
  • references/claude-argument-substitutions.md
  • references/claude-dynamic-context.md
  • references/claude-frontmatter-invocation.md
  • references/claude-hook-backed.md
  • references/claude-subagent-fork.md
  • references/description-optimization.md
  • references/design-principles.md
  • references/example-documentation-skill.md
  • references/example-hook-backed-skill.md
  • … and 29 more

Open the folder on GitHubat commit d18b7aa

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Categories

Questions about Skill Writer

What does Skill Writer do?

Create, synthesize, and iteratively improve agent skills following the Agent Skills specification. Skill Writer is an agent skill from getsentry/skills, published by the product's own GitHub organization. Create, synthesize, and iteratively improve agent skills following the Agent Skills specification.

When should I use Skill Writer?

Skill Writer fits situations like: asked to create a skill; synthesize sources into a skill; improve a skill from positive/negative examples; maintain skill docs and registration.

How do I install Skill Writer in Claude Code?

Run `npx skills add getsentry/skills --skill skill-writer -a claude-code`. Or copy the skill folder (skills/skill-writer in getsentry/skills) into .claude/skills/skill-writer in your project. Claude Code loads it when a task matches its description.

How do I install Skill Writer in Codex?

Run `npx skills add getsentry/skills --skill skill-writer -a codex`. Or copy the skill folder (skills/skill-writer in getsentry/skills) into .agents/skills/skill-writer in your project. Codex loads it when a task matches its description.

Can I use Skill Writer in Cursor, Gemini CLI or GitHub Copilot?

Cursor, Gemini CLI, GitHub Copilot and OpenCode also load SKILL.md folders. With the skills CLI, run `npx skills add getsentry/skills --skill skill-writer -a cursor` (or -a gemini-cli, github-copilot or opencode for the others). To copy it by hand, put the folder in .cursor/skills/skill-writer, .gemini/skills/skill-writer, .github/skills/skill-writer and .opencode/skills/skill-writer in your project.

What does Skill Writer need to run?

SKILL.md names no scripts, command-line tools or credentials: Skill Writer is instructions for the agent only.

Does Skill Writer access the network?

SKILL.md contains no URLs. Any network use would come from the scripts or tools the agent runs. This is read from the text; nothing was executed.

Is Skill Writer safe to install?

Our automated static check of SKILL.md found no risky patterns, such as piping downloads into a shell, reading credential files or hidden Unicode. It is not a guarantee. The check reads SKILL.md only: the scripts in the folder are not scanned, so read them before running anything.

What licence does Skill Writer use?

Skill Writer is published under the Apache-2.0 licence (the repository's licence). It allows redistribution, so the full SKILL.md is shown on this page.

How many tokens does Skill Writer use?

About 2.5k tokens (SKILL.md is roughly 10k characters). Agents keep only the skill's name and description in context until a task matches; then they load SKILL.md in full. Its references folder adds about 18k tokens, read only when the agent opens those files.

What are the alternatives to Skill Writer?

Skills that share tags, products or a category with Skill Writer: Skill Creator (Azure/azqr, 794 stars), Claude Code Skill Developer Guide (diet103/claude-code-infrastructure-showcase, 10k stars), Darwin Skill Optimizer (alchaincyf/darwin-skill, 6.2k stars) and Claude Code Command Development (anthropics/claude-plugins-official, 37k stars). The comparison table on this page puts their stars, adoption, token cost, safety result and licence side by side.

Who maintains Skill Writer?

getsentry (a GitHub organization, an official publisher) maintains it in getsentry/skills, which has 1,037 GitHub stars. The repository holds 27 skills in this directory. The repository was last updated on October 2, 2026.

Source: getsentry/skills on GitHub. Facts on this page come from the repository at the commit we read; the author's words are quoted as theirs.