Write the SKILL.md and install it
Between a clear scope and a working skill, you still need to write the file properly and put it where Claude will find it. This lesson teaches you to write your complete SKILL.md, install it in claude.ai or in Claude Code depending on the use, and check that it is actually picked up.
Lesson objective
By the end of this lesson, you will be able to turn your scoping brief into a complete SKILL.md, install it in the right place (claude.ai, personal or project Claude Code) and check that it loads.
Topics covered
- write a SKILL.md
- install a skill
- claude.ai
- Claude Code
- Claude Skills
Where it fits
Design and write your skill
How do I write a skill that triggers at the right moment, produces a checkable result and has only the permissions it needs?
Lessons in this module
- Write a description that triggers at the right moment
- Scope your skill before writing it
- Write the SKILL.md and install it (this lesson)
- A skill's tools and permissions
What you will learn in the course
This lesson is part of the course Build reliable Claude Skills for your product work
- Identify a recurring task that justifies a skill rather than a one-off prompt, and explain how the skill is loaded (progressive disclosure).
- Choose and justify the right mechanism for a given need (skill, CLAUDE.md, subagent, MCP server, hook).
- Write a name and description that trigger the skill at the right moment, and choose who can invoke it.
- Design a complete SKILL.md (frontmatter, checkable rules, procedure, output format, reference files) from a scoping brief.
- Configure a skill's pre-approved and removed tools according to risk, without confusing pre-approval with restriction.
- Test a skill's triggering and output with evaluation scenarios, iterate, then measure its value over time.
- Choose, audit and share skills (third-party or internal) while managing the security risks.
Related courses
- Choosing and using AI tools at workAll levels · ~1 hr 40 min
- Prompting for product managers: delegate, describe, verifyJunior · ~2 hr 45 min
- Understand what LLMs do well, and where they failAll levels · ~2 hr