AL project estimation for Business Central. An agent skill from javiarmesto/ALDC-AL-Development-Collection.

MITAuto-check passedBusiness, Finance & HR

Install Skill Estimation

skills CLI
$ npx skills add javiarmesto/ALDC-AL-Development-Collection --skill skill-estimation -a claude-code

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

GitHub CLI
$ gh skill install javiarmesto/ALDC-AL-Development-Collection skill-estimation --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/javiarmesto/ALDC-AL-Development-Collection.git skills-src && mkdir -p .claude/skills && cp -r skills-src/skills/skill-estimation .claude/skills/skill-estimation && 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-estimation
GitHub stars
109
Token cost
~2.3k tokens
SKILL.md length
526 words
Files
1
Skills in repo
14
Repo updated
First seen
Licence
MIT

At a glance

AL project estimation for Business Central. An agent skill from javiarmesto/ALDC-AL-Development-Collection.

  • Works in 5 steps: Intake → Analyze → Estimate → …
  • Estimating development effort
  • SKILL.md covers Purpose, When to Load, Core Patterns and Workflow, plus 3 more sections
  • Instructions only: no scripts, shell commands, URLs or credentials in SKILL.md

What it does

Skill Estimation is an agent skill from javiarmesto/ALDC-AL-Development-Collection. AL project estimation for Business Central. Use when estimating development effort, creating cost models, SWOT analysis, or structuring project proposals.

Its SKILL.md is about 2.3k 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 Business, Finance & HR, covering Startup and business strategy and Proposals and quotes. The repository describes itself as: AL development toolkit for Business Central with specialist agents, skills and review workflows for Copilot, Claude Code and Codex. The licence is MIT.

When your agent uses it

  • Estimating development effort
  • Creating cost models
  • Structuring project proposals

Example prompts

  • “/skill-estimation”

Workflow steps

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

  1. Intake
  2. Analyze
  3. Estimate
  4. Risk Assessment
  5. Deliver Proposal

What it can do on your machine

Read from SKILL.md and the folder at commit 4f99d7d. 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 (its code samples are markdown).

    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):

    • learn.microsoft.com
    • en.wikipedia.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

Skill Estimation loads about 2.3k tokens when it runs. Until then it costs about 43 tokens; SKILL.md has 526 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
~2.3k

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 javiarmesto/ALDC-AL-Development-Collection at commit 4f99d7d, republished under its MIT licence (© javiarmesto). 526 words, ~2,320 tokens.

Download SKILL.mdSave it as .claude/skills/skill-estimation/SKILL.md (or your agent's skills folder).
name
skill-estimation
description
AL project estimation for Business Central. Use when estimating development effort, creating cost models, SWOT analysis, or structuring project proposals.

Skill: AL Project Estimation

Purpose

Estimate AL/Business Central projects: complexity scoring, PERT 3-point estimation, SWOT/DAFO risk analysis, cost breakdown by phase, resource allocation, and structured presales documentation.

When to Load

This skill should be loaded when:

  • A new BC/AL project needs time and cost estimation
  • A feasibility assessment or SWOT analysis is required before commitment
  • A presales proposal or technical assessment document is being created
  • Resource allocation and team composition need to be defined
  • A project plan with milestones and payment schedule is needed

Core Patterns

Pattern 1: Intake Questions (Mandatory)

Before any estimation, gather these parameters:

markdown
## Project Intake — Required Information

### 1. Project Identity
- Project name (will be used for folder structure)
- Brief description: What problem does it solve?

### 2. Cost Parameters (MANDATORY)
- Hourly rate (e.g., €75/hour, $100/hour)
- Currency (EUR, USD, GBP)
- Contingency buffer: Yes/No (default 15-20%)
- Risk buffer: Low (10%), Medium (20%), High (30%)

### 3. Technical Context
- Target BC version: SaaS, On-Premise, or both?
- Target delivery date
- Existing codebase? (repository URL or workspace path)
- Reference repositories for similar functionality?

### 4. Team (optional)
- Available developers: Junior, Mid, Senior?
- BC experience level: New, Experienced, Expert?

PAUSE — do NOT proceed without cost parameters. Estimation without rates is meaningless.

Pattern 2: Complexity Scoring

Score each dimension 1-10 to derive overall project complexity:

markdown
## Complexity Assessment

| Dimension | Score (1-10) | Criteria |
|---|---|---|
| Data Model | /10 | Tables, relations, migration needs |
| Business Logic | /10 | Codeunits, validations, calculations |
| UI Complexity | /10 | Pages, customizations, RoleCenter |
| Integrations | /10 | External APIs, events, webhooks |
| Reporting | /10 | Reports, queries, analytics |
| Security | /10 | Permissions, data sensitivity, audit |
| Testing | /10 | Test coverage needed, edge cases |
| Migration/Upgrade | /10 | Data migration, version compatibility |

**Overall Complexity**: (sum / 80) × 10 = X/10

Object count estimation:

Object TypeLow ComplexityMediumHigh
Table2-4 hrs4-8 hrs8-16 hrs
Page (Card/List)2-4 hrs4-8 hrs8-16 hrs
Page (Document)4-8 hrs8-16 hrs16-32 hrs
Codeunit2-8 hrs8-16 hrs16-40 hrs
Report4-8 hrs8-16 hrs16-32 hrs
Integration8-16 hrs16-32 hrs32-80 hrs
Pattern 3: PERT 3-Point Estimation

Use the Program Evaluation and Review Technique for each task:

markdown
## PERT Formula

E = (O + 4M + P) / 6

Where:
- O = Optimistic (best case, everything goes right)
- M = Most Likely (normal case, typical obstacles)
- P = Pessimistic (worst case, major obstacles)
- E = Expected duration

Apply per development phase:

markdown
## Phase Breakdown

### Phase 1: Analysis & Design
| Task | O (hrs) | M (hrs) | P (hrs) | E (hrs) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Requirements analysis | 8 | 16 | 24 | 16 |
| Technical design | 8 | 12 | 20 | 13 |
| Architecture review | 4 | 8 | 12 | 8 |
| **Subtotal** | **20** | **36** | **56** | **37** |

### Phase 2: Development
| Task | O (hrs) | M (hrs) | P (hrs) | E (hrs) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tables & data model | X | X | X | X |
| Pages & UI | X | X | X | X |
| Business logic | X | X | X | X |
| Integrations | X | X | X | X |
| **Subtotal** | **X** | **X** | **X** | **X** |

### Phase 3: Testing & QA
| Task | O (hrs) | M (hrs) | P (hrs) | E (hrs) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unit tests | X | X | X | X |
| Integration tests | X | X | X | X |
| UAT support | X | X | X | X |
| Bug fixes | X | X | X | X |
| **Subtotal** | **X** | **X** | **X** | **X** |

### Phase 4: Deployment & Documentation
| Task | O (hrs) | M (hrs) | P (hrs) | E (hrs) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Technical documentation | X | X | X | X |
| Training materials | X | X | X | X |
| Deployment | X | X | X | X |
| Post-go-live support | X | X | X | X |
| **Subtotal** | **X** | **X** | **X** | **X** |
Pattern 4: SWOT/DAFO Analysis

Structured risk and opportunity assessment:

markdown
## SWOT Analysis

### Strengths (Internal Positive)
| ID | Strength | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| S1 | [e.g., Team has BC experience] | High/Medium/Low |

### Opportunities (External Positive)
| ID | Opportunity | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| O1 | [e.g., Standard BC API available] | High/Medium/Low |

### Weaknesses (Internal Negative)
| ID | Weakness | Impact | Mitigation |
|---|---|---|---|
| W1 | [e.g., No existing test suite] | High | Implement TDD from start |

### Threats (External Negative)
| ID | Threat | Probability | Impact | Mitigation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| T1 | [e.g., BC version upgrade mid-project] | Medium | High | Pin BC version |

## Feasibility Score

| Criterion | Score (1-10) |
|---|---|
| Technical Feasibility | /10 |
| Resource Feasibility | /10 |
| Timeline Feasibility | /10 |
| Economic Feasibility | /10 |
| **Overall** | **/10** |

### Recommendation
- [ ] **GO** — Project viable, proceed
- [ ] **CAUTION** — Viable with conditions
- [ ] **NO-GO** — Not recommended currently
Pattern 5: Cost Summary and Payment Milestones

Consolidate estimation into a financial summary:

markdown
## Cost Summary

| Concept | Hours | Rate | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Analysis & Design | X | [RATE] | [TOTAL] |
| Development | X | [RATE] | [TOTAL] |
| Testing & QA | X | [RATE] | [TOTAL] |
| Deployment & Docs | X | [RATE] | [TOTAL] |
| **Subtotal** | **X** | | **[TOTAL]** |
| Contingency ([%]%) | X | | [TOTAL] |
| Risk Buffer ([%]%) | X | | [TOTAL] |
| **TOTAL** | **X** | | **[CURRENCY] [TOTAL]** |

## Payment Milestones

| Milestone | % | Amount | Deliverable |
|---|---|---|---|
| Project Start | 20% | [X] | SOW signed, project plan |
| Design Approved | 20% | [X] | Architecture approved |
| Development Complete | 30% | [X] | Code delivered, tests pass |
| UAT Approved | 20% | [X] | User acceptance sign-off |
| Go-Live | 10% | [X] | Production deployment |

Workflow

Step 1: Intake
  1. Ask mandatory intake questions (Pattern 1)
  2. Confirm cost parameters — do NOT skip this
  3. If reference repositories provided, analyze them for scope comparison
Step 2: Analyze
  1. Score complexity dimensions (Pattern 2)
  2. Count estimated objects (tables, pages, codeunits, reports)
  3. Identify integration points and external dependencies
  4. If existing codebase, use al_search_objects to measure current scope
Step 3: Estimate
  1. Apply PERT 3-point estimation per phase (Pattern 3)
  2. Use complexity-based hour ranges for object estimation
  3. Apply standard ratios:
    • Testing = 30-40% of development
    • Documentation = 10-15% of total
    • Integration = typically underestimated by 50% — adjust accordingly
    • Data migration = 15-20% of total (if applicable)
    • BC version testing = 5-10% for compatibility
Show full SKILL.md (195 more words)Show less
Step 4: Risk Assessment
  1. Conduct SWOT analysis (Pattern 4)
  2. Calculate feasibility score
  3. Provide clear GO / CAUTION / NO-GO recommendation
Step 5: Deliver Proposal
  1. Create cost summary with payment milestones (Pattern 5)
  2. Define resource allocation (roles, FTE, duration)
  3. Compile all sections into presales documentation
  4. Store in Technical_PreSales/{project-slug}/ folder structure

PAUSE — present proposal for stakeholder review before commitment.

Estimation Guidelines

RuleGuideline
Testing effortAlways 30-40% of development hours
DocumentationNever skip — 10-15% of total hours
Integration complexityUsually underestimated — add 50% buffer
Data migrationAdd if mentioned — 15-20% of total
BC version testingAdd 5-10% for compatibility verification
Training8-16 hours per user group
Contingency15-20% standard, 25-30% for high uncertainty

References

Constraints

  • This skill covers project estimation, risk analysis, and presales documentation
  • Do NOT estimate without cost parameters (hourly rate, currency) — ask first
  • Do NOT build, compile, or deploy code — estimation only
  • Do NOT modify production source code — analysis and documentation only
  • Do NOT skip the SWOT analysis for any project — risk awareness is mandatory
  • Architecture design → al-architect agent | Technical specifications → al-spec.create workflow | Implementation → al-conductor agent

© javiarmesto, 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/skill-estimation of javiarmesto/ALDC-AL-Development-Collection.

Open the folder on GitHubat commit 4f99d7d

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Questions about Skill Estimation

What does Skill Estimation do?

AL project estimation for Business Central. An agent skill from javiarmesto/ALDC-AL-Development-Collection. Skill Estimation is an agent skill from javiarmesto/ALDC-AL-Development-Collection. AL project estimation for Business Central.

When should I use Skill Estimation?

Skill Estimation fits situations like: estimating development effort; creating cost models; structuring project proposals.

How do I install Skill Estimation in Claude Code?

Run `npx skills add javiarmesto/ALDC-AL-Development-Collection --skill skill-estimation -a claude-code`. Or copy the skill folder (skills/skill-estimation in javiarmesto/ALDC-AL-Development-Collection) into .claude/skills/skill-estimation in your project. Claude Code loads it when a task matches its description.

How do I install Skill Estimation in Codex?

Run `npx skills add javiarmesto/ALDC-AL-Development-Collection --skill skill-estimation -a codex`. Or copy the skill folder (skills/skill-estimation in javiarmesto/ALDC-AL-Development-Collection) into .agents/skills/skill-estimation in your project. Codex loads it when a task matches its description.

Can I use Skill Estimation 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 javiarmesto/ALDC-AL-Development-Collection --skill skill-estimation -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-estimation, .gemini/skills/skill-estimation, .github/skills/skill-estimation and .opencode/skills/skill-estimation in your project.

What does Skill Estimation need to run?

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

Does Skill Estimation access the network?

SKILL.md names 2 domains. As links in the text: learn.microsoft.com and en.wikipedia.org. This is read from the text; nothing was executed.

Is Skill Estimation 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 Skill Estimation use?

Skill Estimation 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 Skill Estimation use?

About 2.3k tokens (SKILL.md is roughly 9.3k 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 Skill Estimation?

Skills that share tags, products or a category with Skill Estimation: Business Document Generator (ailabs-393/ai-labs-claude-skills, 454 stars), Anygen Doc (LeoYeAI/openclaw-master-skills, 2.2k stars), Startup Pressure Test (Kappaemme-git/codex-startup-pressure-test-skill, 991 stars) and Zhang Yiming Perspective (alchaincyf/zhang-yiming-skill, 173 stars). The comparison table on this page puts their stars, adoption, token cost, safety result and licence side by side.

Who maintains Skill Estimation?

javiarmesto (a GitHub user) maintains it in javiarmesto/ALDC-AL-Development-Collection, which has 109 GitHub stars. The repository holds 14 skills in this directory. The repository was last updated on October 7, 2026.

Source: javiarmesto/ALDC-AL-Development-Collection on GitHub. Facts on this page come from the repository at the commit we read; the author's words are quoted as theirs.