skill-importer
Upgrades external Claude Skills to factory spec - analyzes existing skill folders and generates missing files, restructures docs, validates compliance
When & Why to Use This Skill
This Claude skill automates the standardization of external Claude Skills by analyzing folder structures, generating missing documentation, and ensuring compliance with factory specifications. It streamlines the development and integration of new agent capabilities by providing automated gap analysis, file generation, and structural validation.
Use Cases
- Standardizing legacy or third-party skills to meet internal organizational templates and strict naming conventions.
- Automating the creation of boilerplate documentation and test files, such as HOW_TO_USE.md and sample_input.json, for new AI agents.
- Performing structural validation and compliance checks on skill folders before deployment to ensure seamless integration and composability.
| name | skill-importer |
|---|---|
| description | Upgrades external Claude Skills to factory spec - analyzes existing skill folders and generates missing files, restructures docs, validates compliance |
Skill Importer
Bring externally-built Claude Skills up to factory specification. Point me at a skill folder and I'll analyze what's there, identify gaps, and generate the missing pieces.
Capabilities
- Gap Analysis: Scan skill folder and identify missing factory-required files
- Structure Upgrade: Restructure SKILL.md to match factory template
- File Generation: Create missing HOW_TO_USE.md, sample_input.json, expected_output.json, README.md
- Validation: Check YAML frontmatter, naming conventions, Python code quality
- Composability Check: Ensure skill follows factory composability patterns
Input Requirements
Provide:
- Path to skill folder: Absolute or relative path to the skill to upgrade
- Skill context (optional): Additional info about what the skill does if not clear from files
Output
After import/upgrade:
skill-name/
├── SKILL.md (restructured to factory template)
├── HOW_TO_USE.md (generated if missing)
├── README.md (generated if missing)
├── sample_input.json (generated if missing)
├── expected_output.json (generated if missing)
└── *.py (preserved, analyzed for docs)
Workflow
Step 1: Analyze Existing Skill
Read all files in the skill folder:
- Check SKILL.md for YAML frontmatter (name, description)
- Identify existing Python modules
- List any existing sample/expected files
- Note documentation gaps
Step 2: Gap Report
Generate a checklist:
[ ] SKILL.md - exists but needs restructuring
[x] YAML frontmatter - valid
[ ] HOW_TO_USE.md - missing
[ ] README.md - missing
[ ] sample_input.json - missing
[ ] expected_output.json - missing
[x] Python modules - analyze.py found
Step 3: Upgrade SKILL.md
Restructure to factory template:
---
name: skill-name-kebab-case
description: One-line description
---
# Human-Readable Title
Brief introduction.
## Capabilities
- **Feature 1**: Description
- **Feature 2**: Description
## Input Requirements
- What data/info needed
- Required vs optional
## Output Formats
- What gets produced
- File types
## How to Use
Example phrases...
## Scripts (if applicable)
- `script.py`: What it does
## Best Practices
1. Guidelines
## Limitations
- Honest constraints
Step 4: Generate Missing Files
HOW_TO_USE.md:
# How to Use This Skill
Hey Claude—I just added the "{skill-name}" skill. Can you [primary use case]?
## Example Invocations
**Example 1:**
[Natural language request]
**Example 2:**
[Alternative request]
## What to Provide
- [Input 1]
- [Input 2]
## What You'll Get
- [Output 1]
- [Output 2]
sample_input.json: Minimal realistic example based on skill purpose
expected_output.json: Expected output structure
README.md: Installation and overview
Step 5: Validate
Run final validation:
- YAML frontmatter present and valid
- Name is kebab-case
- Description is concise (10-25 words)
- All required files present
- No backup/cache files
- Python compiles (if present)
How to Use
Import a skill: "Import the skill at generated-skills/issue-analysis" "Bring generated-skills/my-custom-skill up to factory spec"
Analyze only (no changes): "Analyze generated-skills/issue-analysis and show me what's missing"
Upgrade specific files: "Generate a HOW_TO_USE.md for generated-skills/issue-analysis"
Factory Compliance Checklist
| File | Required | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| SKILL.md | Yes | Main definition with YAML frontmatter |
| HOW_TO_USE.md | Yes | Example invocations |
| sample_input.json | Yes | Test input data |
| expected_output.json | Yes | Expected output |
| README.md | Recommended | Installation guide |
| *.py | If needed | Functional code |
Best Practices
- Run analysis first before making changes
- Review generated files - they're templates to customize
- Test sample_input produces expected_output
- Ensure skill name is unique in your catalog
Limitations
- Cannot infer complex business logic from minimal context
- Generated samples may need manual refinement
- Python analysis is structural, not behavioral
- Won't auto-fix broken Python code