name: "skill-name" description: "Clear description of what this skill does and when to use it" version: "1.0.0" author: "Your Name" tags: ["category1", "category2"] trigger_patterns:

• "keyword1"
• "phrase that triggers this"

---

Skill Title

Your skill instructions go here...

## Required Fields

| Field | Description | Example |
|-------|-------------|---------|
| `name` | Unique identifier (lowercase, hyphens) | `"code-review"` |
| `description` | When/why to use this skill | `"Review code for quality and security issues"` |

## Optional Fields

| Field | Description | Example |
|-------|-------------|---------|
| `version` | Semantic version | `"1.0.0"` |
| `author` | Creator name | `"Jane Developer"` |
| `tags` | Categorization keywords | `["review", "quality"]` |
| `trigger_patterns` | Words/phrases that activate skill | `["review", "check code"]` |
| `allowed_tools` | Tools this skill can use | `["code_execution", "web_search"]` |

## Skill Directory Structure

/a0/usr/skills/ └── my-skill/ ├── SKILL.md # Required: Main skill file ├── scripts/ # Optional: Helper scripts │ ├── helper.py │ └── process.sh ├── templates/ # Optional: Templates │ └── output.md └── docs/ # Optional: Additional docs └── examples.md

## Writing Good Skill Instructions

### Be Specific and Actionable

```markdown
# Good
When reviewing code:
1. Check for security vulnerabilities
2. Verify error handling
3. Assess test coverage

# Bad
Review the code and make it better.

Include Examples

## Example Usage

**User**: "Review my Python function for issues"

**Agent Response**:
> I'll review your function using the code review checklist:
>
> 1. **Security**: No user input validation detected
> 2. **Error Handling**: Missing try-catch for file operations
> 3. **Testing**: Function is testable but no tests found

Provide Checklists

## Review Checklist
- [ ] Input validation present
- [ ] Error handling complete
- [ ] Tests included
- [ ] Documentation updated

Creating Your Skill: Step by Step

Step 1: Define Purpose

Answer these questions:

• What problem does this skill solve?
• When should the agent use it?
• What's the expected output?

Step 2: Choose a Name

• Use lowercase letters and hyphens
• Be descriptive but concise
• Examples: code-review, data-analysis, deploy-helper

Step 3: Write Trigger Patterns

List words/phrases that should activate this skill:

trigger_patterns:
  - "review"
  - "check code"
  - "code quality"
  - "pull request"

Step 4: Structure Your Content

Organize with clear sections:

# Skill Title

## When to Use
Describe the trigger conditions

## The Process
Step-by-step instructions

## Examples
Show sample interactions

## Tips
Additional guidance

Step 5: Add Supporting Files (Optional)

If your skill needs scripts or templates:

# Create directory structure
mkdir -p /a0/usr/skills/my-skill/{scripts,templates,docs}

Example: Complete Skill

---
name: "python-optimizer"
description: "Optimize Python code for performance and readability. Use when asked to improve or optimize Python code."
version: "1.0.0"
author: "Agent Zero Team"
tags: ["python", "optimization", "performance"]
trigger_patterns:
  - "optimize python"
  - "improve performance"
  - "make faster"
  - "python optimization"
---

# Python Optimizer

## When to Use
Activate when user asks to optimize, improve, or speed up Python code.

## Optimization Process

### Step 1: Profile First
Before optimizing, understand where time is spent:
```python
import cProfile
cProfile.run('your_function()')

Step 2: Common Optimizations

1. Use List Comprehensions

   # Slow
   result = []
   for x in data:
       result.append(x * 2)
   
   # Fast
   result = [x * 2 for x in data]
   

2. Use Sets for Lookups

   # Slow: O(n)
   if item in large_list:
   
   # Fast: O(1)
   if item in large_set:
   

3. Use Generators for Large Data

   # Memory-heavy
   data = [process(x) for x in huge_list]
   
   # Memory-efficient
   data = (process(x) for x in huge_list)
   

Step 3: Verify Improvement

Always measure before and after:

import time
start = time.perf_counter()
# code to measure
elapsed = time.perf_counter() - start
print(f"Took {elapsed:.4f} seconds")

Anti-Patterns to Avoid

• Premature optimization
• Optimizing without profiling
• Sacrificing readability for tiny gains

## Skill Installation

### Local Installation

1. Create skill directory:
   ```bash
   mkdir -p /a0/usr/skills/my-skill

2. Create SKILL.md:

   touch /a0/usr/skills/my-skill/SKILL.md
   

3. Add content and save

4. Skills are automatically loaded on next agent initialization

Sharing Skills

To share skills with others:

1. Create a GitHub repository
2. Include the skill directory structure
3. Add a README with installation instructions
4. Users can copy to their /a0/usr/skills/ directory

Testing Your Skill

After creating a skill:

1. Start a new conversation
2. Use one of your trigger patterns
3. Verify the agent follows your instructions
4. Iterate and improve based on results