Official agent skill

Write Coding Standards From File

by github in github/awesome-copilot

Write a coding standards document for a project using the coding styles from the file(s) and/or folder(s) passed as arguments in the prompt.

OfficialMITAuto-check passedDevelopment

Install Write Coding Standards From File

skills CLI
$ npx skills add github/awesome-copilot --skill write-coding-standards-from-file -a claude-code

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

GitHub CLI
$ gh skill install github/awesome-copilot write-coding-standards-from-file --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/github/awesome-copilot.git skills-src && mkdir -p .claude/skills && cp -r skills-src/skills/write-coding-standards-from-file .claude/skills/write-coding-standards-from-file && 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
write-coding-standards-from-file
GitHub stars
40k
Used in
1 other repo
Token cost
~3.8k tokens
SKILL.md length
1,118 words
Files
1
Skills in repo
417
Repo updated
First seen
Licence
MIT

At a glance

Write a coding standards document for a project using the coding styles from the file(s) and/or folder(s) passed as arguments in the prompt.

  • Tasks that involve Code quality
  • SKILL.md covers Rules and Configuration, Variable and Parameter…, if ${fetchStyleURL} == true and Coding Standards Templates
  • Instructions only: no scripts, shell commands, URLs or credentials in SKILL.md

What it does

Write Coding Standards From File is an agent skill from github/awesome-copilot, published by the product's own GitHub organization. Write a coding standards document for a project using the coding styles from the file(s) and/or folder(s) passed as arguments in the prompt.

Its SKILL.md is about 3.8k tokens, which your agent loads only when the skill is triggered. It is a single SKILL.md file with no bundled scripts.

It sits in Development, covering Code quality. The repository describes itself as: Community-contributed instructions, agents, skills, and configurations to help you make the most of GitHub Copilot. The licence is MIT.

When your agent uses it

  • Tasks that involve Code quality

Example prompts

  • “/write-coding-standards-from-file”

Requirements

  • Python 3
  • Node.js

What it can do on your machine

Read from SKILL.md and the folder at commit 727ff2e. 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

    No scripts in the folder and no shell commands in SKILL.md.

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

  • Network

    Links to these hosts (documentation or services it may open):

    • github.com
    • google.github.io
    • users.ece.cmu.edu
    • learn.microsoft.com
    • isocpp.github.io
    • coderanch.com
    • contribute.jquery.org
    • w3schools.com
    • kotlinlang.org
    • cirosantilli.com
    • perldoc.perl.org
    • phptherightway.com
    • peps.python.org
    • rubystyle.guide
    • swift.org

    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

Write Coding Standards From File loads about 3.8k tokens when it runs. Until then it costs about 43 tokens; SKILL.md has 1,118 words of instructions outside code blocks.

Always · name and description, kept in context so the agent knows when to use it
~43
When it runs · the whole SKILL.md, loaded when a task matches
~3.8k

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); files beside SKILL.md are not scanned.

SKILL.md

The full file from github/awesome-copilot at commit 727ff2e, republished under its MIT licence (© github). 1,118 words, ~3,845 tokens.

Download SKILL.mdSave it as .claude/skills/write-coding-standards-from-file/SKILL.md (or your agent's skills folder).
name
write-coding-standards-from-file
description
Write a coding standards document for a project using the coding styles from the file(s) and/or folder(s) passed as arguments in the prompt.

Write Coding Standards From File

Use the existing syntax of the file(s) to establish the standards and style guides for the project. If more than one file or a folder is passed, loop through each file or files in the folder, appending the file's data to temporary memory or a file, then when complete use temporary data as a single instance; as if it were the file name to base the standards and style guideline on.

Rules and Configuration

Below is a set of quasi-configuration boolean and string[] variables. Conditions for handling true, or other values for each variable are under the level two heading ## Variable and Parameter Configuration Conditions.

Parameters for the prompt have a text definition. There is one required parameter ${fileName}, and several optional parameters ${folderName}, ${instructions}, and any [configVariableAsParameter].

Configuration Variables
  • addStandardsTest = false;
  • addToREADME = false;
  • addToREADMEInsertions = ["atBegin", "middle", "beforeEnd", "bestFitUsingContext"];
    • Default to beforeEnd.
  • createNewFile = true;
  • fetchStyleURL = true;
  • findInconsistencies = true;
  • fixInconsistencies = true;
  • newFileName = ["CONTRIBUTING.md", "STYLE.md", "CODE_OF_CONDUCT.md", "CODING_STANDARDS.md", "DEVELOPING.md", "CONTRIBUTION_GUIDE.md", "GUIDELINES.md", "PROJECT_STANDARDS.md", "BEST_PRACTICES.md", "HACKING.md"];
    • For each file in ${newFileName}, if file does not exist, use that file name and break, else continue to next file name of ${newFileName}.
  • outputSpecToPrompt = false;
  • useTemplate = "verbose"; // or "v"
    • Possible values are [["v", "verbose"], ["m", "minimal"], ["b", "best fit"], ["custom"]].
    • Selects one of the two example templates at the bottom of prompt file under the level two heading ## Coding Standards Templates, or use another composition that is a better fit.
    • If custom, then apply per request.
Configuration Variables as Prompt Parameters

If any of the variable names are passed to prompt as-is, or as a similar but clearly related text value, then override the default variable value with the value passed to prompt.

Prompt Parameters
  • fileName = The name of the file that will be analyzed in terms of: indentation, variable naming, commenting, conditional procedures, functional procedures, and other syntax related data for the coding language of the file.
  • folderName = The name of the folder that will be used to extract data from multiple files into one aggregated dataset that will be analyzed in terms of: indentation, variable naming, commenting, conditional procedures, functional procedures, and other syntax related data for the coding language of the files.
  • instructions = Additional instructions, rules, and procedures that will be provided for unique cases.
  • [configVariableAsParameter] = If passed will override the default state of the configuration variable. Example:
    • useTemplate = If passed will override the configuration ${useTemplate} default. Values are [["v", "verbose"], ["m", "minimal"], ["b", "best fit"]].
Required and Optional Parameters
  • fileName - required
  • folderName - optional
  • instructions - optional
  • [configVariableAsParameter] - optional

Variable and Parameter Configuration Conditions

${fileName}.length > 1 || ${folderName} != undefined
  • If true, toggle ${fixInconsistencies} to false.
${addToREADME} == true
  • Insert the coding standards into the README.md instead of outputting to the prompt or creating a new file.
  • If true, toggle both ${createNewFile} and ${outputSpecToPrompt} to false.
${addToREADMEInsertions} == "atBegin"
  • If ${addToREADME} is true, then insert the coding standards data at the beginning of the README.md file after the title.
${addToREADMEInsertions} == "middle"
  • If ${addToREADME} is true, then insert the coding standards data at the middle of the README.md file, changing the standards title heading to match that of the README.md composition.
${addToREADMEInsertions} == "beforeEnd"
  • If ${addToREADME} is true, then insert the coding standards data at the end of the README.md file, inserting a new line after the last character, then inserting the data on a new line.
${addToREADMEInsertions} == "bestFitUsingContext"
  • If ${addToREADME} is true, then insert the coding standards data at the best fitting line of the README.md file in regards to the context of the README.md composition and flow of data.
${addStandardsTest} == true
  • Once the coding standards file is complete, write a test file to ensure the file or files passed to it adhere to the coding standards.
${createNewFile} == true
  • Create a new file using the value, or one of the possible values, from ${newFileName}.
  • If true, toggle both ${outputSpecToPrompt} and ${addToREADME} to false.
${fetchStyleURL} == true
  • Additionally use the data fetched from the links nested under level three heading ### Fetch Links as context for creating standards, specifications, and styling data for the new file, prompt, or README.md.
  • For each relevant item in ### Fetch Links, run #fetch ${item}.
Show full SKILL.md (438 more words)Show less
${findInconsistencies} == true
  • Evaluate syntax related to indentations, line-breaks, comments, conditional and function nesting, quotation wrappers i.e. ' or " for strings, etc., and categorize.
  • For each category, make a count, and if one item does not match the majority of the count, then commit to temporary memory.
  • Depending on the status of ${fixInconsistencies}, either edit and fix the low count categories to match the majority, or output to prompt inconsistencies stored in temporary memory.
${fixInconsistencies} == true
  • Edit and fix the low count categories of syntax data to match the majority of corresponding syntax data using inconsistencies stored in temporary memory.
typeof ${newFileName} == "string"
  • If specifically defined as a string, create a new file using the value from ${newFileName}.
typeof ${newFileName} != "string"
  • If NOT specifically defined as a string, but instead an object or an array, create a new file using a value from ${newFileName} by applying this rule:
    • For each file name in ${newFileName}, if file does not exist, use that file name and break, else continue to the next.
${outputSpecToPrompt} == true
  • Output the coding standards to the prompt instead of creating a file or adding to README.
  • If true, toggle both ${createNewFile} and ${addToREADME} to false.
${useTemplate} == "v" || ${useTemplate} == "verbose"
  • Use data under the level three heading ### "v", "verbose" as guiding template when composing the data for coding standards.
${useTemplate} == "m" || ${useTemplate} == "minimal"
  • Use data under the level three heading ### "m", "minimal" as guiding template when composing the data for coding standards.
${useTemplate} == "b" || ${useTemplate} == "best"
  • Use either the data under the level three heading ### "v", "verbose" or ### "m", "minimal", depending on the data extracted from ${fileName}, and use the best fit as guiding template when composing the data for coding standards.
${useTemplate} == "custom" || ${useTemplate} == "<ANY_NAME>"
  • Use the custom prompt, instructions, template, or other data passed as guiding template when composing the data for coding standards.

if ${fetchStyleURL} == true

Depending on the programming language, for each link in list below, run #fetch (URL), if programming language is ${fileName} == [<Language> Style Guide].

Coding Standards Templates

"m", "minimal"
text
    ```markdown
    ## 1. Introduction
    *   **Purpose:** Briefly explain why the coding standards are being established (e.g., to improve code quality, maintainability, and team collaboration).
    *   **Scope:** Define which languages, projects, or modules this specification applies to.

    ## 2. Naming Conventions
    *   **Variables:** `camelCase`
    *   **Functions/Methods:** `PascalCase` or `camelCase`.
    *   **Classes/Structs:** `PascalCase`.
    *   **Constants:** `UPPER_SNAKE_CASE`.

    ## 3. Formatting and Style
    *   **Indentation:** Use 4 spaces per indent (or tabs).
    *   **Line Length:** Limit lines to a maximum of 80 or 120 characters.
    *   **Braces:** Use the "K&R" style (opening brace on the same line) or the "Allman" style (opening brace on a new line).
    *   **Blank Lines:** Specify how many blank lines to use for separating logical blocks of code.

    ## 4. Commenting
    *   **Docstrings/Function Comments:** Describe the function's purpose, parameters, and return values.
    *   **Inline Comments:** Explain complex or non-obvious logic.
    *   **File Headers:** Specify what information should be included in a file header, such as author, date, and file description.

    ## 5. Error Handling
    *   **General:** How to handle and log errors.
    *   **Specifics:** Which exception types to use, and what information to include in error messages.

    ## 6. Best Practices and Anti-Patterns
    *   **General:** List common anti-patterns to avoid (e.g., global variables, magic numbers).
    *   **Language-specific:** Specific recommendations based on the project's programming language.

    ## 7. Examples
    *   Provide a small code example demonstrating the correct application of the rules.
    *   Provide a small code example of an incorrect implementation and how to fix it.

    ## 8. Contribution and Enforcement
    *   Explain how the standards are to be enforced (e.g., via code reviews).
    *   Provide a guide for contributing to the standards document itself.
    ```
"v", verbose"
text
    ```markdown

    # Style Guide

    This document defines the style and conventions used in this project.
    All contributions should follow these rules unless otherwise noted.

    ## 1. General Code Style

    - Favor clarity over brevity.
    - Keep functions and methods small and focused.
    - Avoid repeating logic; prefer shared helpers/utilities.
    - Remove unused variables, imports, code paths, and files.

    ## 2. Naming Conventions

    Use descriptive names. Avoid abbreviations unless well-known.

    | Item            | Convention           | Example            |
    |-----------------|----------------------|--------------------|
    | Variables       | `lower_snake_case`   | `buffer_size`      |
    | Functions       | `lower_snake_case()` | `read_file()`      |
    | Constants       | `UPPER_SNAKE_CASE`   | `MAX_RETRIES`      |
    | Types/Structs   | `PascalCase`         | `FileHeader`       |
    | File Names      | `lower_snake_case`   | `file_reader.c`    |

    ## 3. Formatting Rules

    - Indentation: **4 spaces**
    - Line length: **max 100 characters**
    - Encoding: **UTF-8**, no BOM
    - End files with a newline

    ### Braces (example in C, adjust for your language)

        ```c
        if (condition) {
            do_something();
        } else {
            do_something_else();
        }
        ```

    ### Spacing

    - One space after keywords: `if (x)`, not `if(x)`
    - One blank line between top-level functions

    ## 4. Comments & Documentation

    - Explain *why*, not *what*, unless intent is unclear.
    - Keep comments up-to-date as code changes.
    - Public functions should include a short description of purpose and parameters.

    Recommended tags:

        ```text
        TODO: follow-up work
        FIXME: known incorrect behavior
        NOTE: non-obvious design decision
        ```

    ## 5. Error Handling

    - Handle error conditions explicitly.
    - Avoid silent failures; either return errors or log them appropriately.
    - Clean up resources (files, memory, handles) before returning on failure.

    ## 6. Commit & Review Practices

    ### Commits
    - One logical change per commit.
    - Write clear commit messages:

        ```text
        Short summary (max ~50 chars)
        Optional longer explanation of context and rationale.
        ```

    ### Reviews
    - Keep pull requests reasonably small.
    - Be respectful and constructive in review discussions.
    - Address requested changes or explain if you disagree.

    ## 7. Tests

    - Write tests for new functionality.
    - Tests should be deterministic (no randomness without seeding).
    - Prefer readable test cases over complex test abstraction.

    ## 8. Changes to This Guide

    Style evolves.
    Propose improvements by opening an issue or sending a patch updating this document.
    ```

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

Files

Just SKILL.md in skills/write-coding-standards-from-file of github/awesome-copilot.

Open the folder on GitHubat commit 727ff2e

Used in 1 other repository

We found 1 copy of this SKILL.md (exact, near-identical or edited) in other folders, from 1 other GitHub owner. This page covers the copy in github/awesome-copilot, which our catalogue first saw on October 7, 2026.

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Categories

Questions about Write Coding Standards From File

What does Write Coding Standards From File do?

Write a coding standards document for a project using the coding styles from the file(s) and/or folder(s) passed as arguments in the prompt. Write Coding Standards From File is an agent skill from github/awesome-copilot, published by the product's own GitHub organization. Write a coding standards document for a project using the coding styles from the file(s) and/or folder(s) passed as arguments in the prompt.

When should I use Write Coding Standards From File?

Write Coding Standards From File fits situations like: tasks that involve Code quality.

How do I install Write Coding Standards From File in Claude Code?

Run `npx skills add github/awesome-copilot --skill write-coding-standards-from-file -a claude-code`. Or copy the skill folder (skills/write-coding-standards-from-file in github/awesome-copilot) into .claude/skills/write-coding-standards-from-file in your project. Claude Code loads it when a task matches its description.

How do I install Write Coding Standards From File in Codex?

Run `npx skills add github/awesome-copilot --skill write-coding-standards-from-file -a codex`. Or copy the skill folder (skills/write-coding-standards-from-file in github/awesome-copilot) into .agents/skills/write-coding-standards-from-file in your project. Codex loads it when a task matches its description.

Can I use Write Coding Standards From File 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 github/awesome-copilot --skill write-coding-standards-from-file -a cursor` (or -a gemini-cli, github-copilot or opencode for the others). To copy it by hand, put the folder in .cursor/skills/write-coding-standards-from-file, .gemini/skills/write-coding-standards-from-file, .github/skills/write-coding-standards-from-file and .opencode/skills/write-coding-standards-from-file in your project.

What does Write Coding Standards From File need to run?

SKILL.md names no scripts, command-line tools or credentials: Write Coding Standards From File is instructions for the agent only. Our summary lists: Python 3; Node.js.

Does Write Coding Standards From File access the network?

SKILL.md names 15 domains. As links in the text: github.com, google.github.io, users.ece.cmu.edu, learn.microsoft.com, isocpp.github.io, coderanch.com, contribute.jquery.org, w3schools.com, kotlinlang.org, cirosantilli.com, perldoc.perl.org, phptherightway.com, peps.python.org, rubystyle.guide and swift.org. This is read from the text; nothing was executed.

Is Write Coding Standards From File 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. Review the folder before installing.

What licence does Write Coding Standards From File use?

Write Coding Standards From File is published under the MIT licence (the repository's licence). It allows redistribution, so the full SKILL.md is shown on this page.

How many tokens does Write Coding Standards From File use?

About 3.8k tokens (SKILL.md is roughly 15k characters). Agents keep only the skill's name and description in context until a task matches; then they load SKILL.md in full.

What are the alternatives to Write Coding Standards From File?

Skills that share tags, products or a category with Write Coding Standards From File: WooCommerce Code Review (woocommerce/woocommerce, 11k stars), Systematic Code Refactoring (luongnv89/claude-howto, 42k stars), Install Anti-Slop Oxlint Rules (dmmulroy/anti-slop, 5.2k stars) and Constraint-Driven Development (addyosmani/agent-skills, 102k stars). The comparison table on this page puts their stars, adoption, token cost, safety result and licence side by side.

Who maintains Write Coding Standards From File?

github (a GitHub organization, an official publisher) maintains it in github/awesome-copilot, which has 39,748 GitHub stars. The repository holds 417 skills in this directory. The repository was last updated on October 7, 2026.

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