Skill Authoring Starter - Build

The build

This build combines the skills below in a fixed order. Required skills are non-negotiable; optional skills add checks without changing the core path.

1
Skill Authoring
Guides scope, contracts, actions, and documentation
2
Validation Checklist
Produces the release gate for the skill

Prerequisites

A procedure already run manually at least once
An agent environment that loads skill files
Access to the tools the skill calls

Execution steps

1
Write the one-sentence scope and the out-of-scope list
2
Define the input and output contracts
3
Specify ordered actions with tools and failure branches
4
Mark the human checkpoints
5
Run the skill twice on the same input and diff the outputs
6
Add one test per failure mode
7
Write the documentation from the tested behavior
8
Run the release checklist before sharing

Acceptance checklist

Scope fits in one sentence with out-of-scope examples
Inputs and outputs are testable
Two runs on the same input produce the same outcome
Every failure mode has a recovery step and a test
A fresh agent follows the skill without help

Recovery steps

If outputs diverge, specify the missing step or assumption

If the skill fails in production, add the case to the failure modes

If scope creeps, split the skill

What this build includes

One authoring skill and one gate. The authoring skill produces the file; the validation checklist makes release a decision with evidence instead of a feeling.

When to use it

Use for the first skill in any repository. The discipline it installs, the run-twice test and the failure-mode tests, transfers to every skill that comes after.