template-skill · git:20260802.372b15e · 2026-08-02 · sha256 19bed0210bafa39f
template-skill git:20260802.372b15eA
Immutable. This exact content never changes and is served at /api/v1/blob/19bed0210bafa39f.
---
name: template-skill
description: Template for creating new skills in gptme-contrib. Use this as a starting point when creating your own skills.
# Exchange fields (optional — fill in when publishing to a registry)
# exchange:
# version: "1.0.0" # semantic version
# author: null # GitHub handle
# license: null # e.g. MIT
# category: null # e.g. data-engineering
# dependencies:
# skills: [] # other skill names this skill depends on
# tools: [] # gptme tool requirements (e.g. [shell, python])
# packages: [] # Python packages (e.g. [pandas, matplotlib])
# quality:
# usage_count: 0
# success_rate: null # filled by gptme-sessions telemetry
# loo_delta: null # filled by lesson-loo-analysis.py
# provenance:
# source_repo: null # e.g. TimeToBuildBob/bob
# source_path: null # e.g. skills/my-skill
---
# Template Skill
This is a minimal skill template demonstrating the basic structure of a gptme skill.
## Overview
Skills are enhanced lessons that bundle:
- Instructional content (like lessons)
- Executable scripts and utilities (optional)
- Dependencies and setup requirements (optional)
- Hook points for automation (optional)
## Basic Structure
Every skill needs:
1. **SKILL.md** - This file with YAML frontmatter + Markdown content
2. **Supporting files** (optional) - Scripts, templates, or resources
## YAML Frontmatter
Required fields:
- `type: skill` - Distinguishes from lessons
- `name: skill-name` - Skill identifier (must match directory name)
- `description: ...` - What the skill does and when to use it
- `status: active` - active, automated, deprecated, or archived
- `match: {keywords: [...]}` - Trigger keywords
Optional fields:
- `scripts: []` - List of bundled Python scripts
- `dependencies: []` - Required Python packages
- `hooks: []` - Execution hooks (future feature)
Optional exchange fields (for publishing to a skill registry):
- `exchange.version` - Semantic version string (e.g. `"1.0.0"`)
- `exchange.author` - GitHub handle of the skill author
- `exchange.license` - License identifier (e.g. `MIT`)
- `exchange.category` - Skill category (e.g. `data-engineering`, `devops`)
- `exchange.dependencies.skills` - Other skill names this skill requires
- `exchange.dependencies.tools` - gptme tools required (e.g. `[shell, python]`)
- `exchange.dependencies.packages` - Python packages required
- `exchange.quality.usage_count` - Number of times invoked (filled by telemetry)
- `exchange.quality.success_rate` - Fraction of successful invocations (telemetry)
- `exchange.quality.loo_delta` - Leave-one-out quality delta (lesson-loo-analysis.py)
- `exchange.provenance.source_repo` - Origin repo (e.g. `TimeToBuildBob/bob`)
- `exchange.provenance.source_path` - Path within source repo
## Markdown Content
The markdown body can include:
- Detailed instructions for the LLM
- Step-by-step workflows
- Code examples and templates
- Best practices and principles
- References to supporting files
## Creating Your Own Skill
1. Copy this template-skill directory
2. Rename to your-skill-name
3. Update SKILL.md frontmatter (especially name and description)
4. Write your skill instructions in markdown
5. Add any supporting scripts or resources
6. Test with gptme
## Example: Minimal Skill
```yaml
---
type: skill
name: my-skill
description: Brief description of what the skill does
status: active
match:
keywords: [keyword1, keyword2]
scripts: []
dependencies: []
---
# My Skill
Instructions for using this skill...
```
## Example: Skill with Scripts
```yaml
---
type: skill
name: data-analysis
description: Data analysis workflows with pandas and visualization
status: active
match:
keywords: [data analysis, pandas, visualization]
scripts:
- helpers.py
- plot_utils.py
dependencies:
- pandas
- matplotlib
---
# Data Analysis Skill
Use this skill for data analysis tasks...
## Bundled Scripts
- `helpers.py`: Common data manipulation functions
- `plot_utils.py`: Visualization utilities
## Usage
```python
# Import bundled helpers
from helpers import load_data, clean_data
from plot_utils import plot_distribution
# Analyze data
df = load_data("data.csv")
df = clean_data(df)
plot_distribution(df["column"])
```
```
## Example: Publishable Skill
```yaml
---
name: postgres-query-optimizer
description: Analyze and rewrite slow PostgreSQL queries using EXPLAIN ANALYZE output
status: active
match:
keywords: [postgres, sql, query, explain, slow query]
exchange:
version: "1.0.0"
author: TimeToBuildBob
license: MIT
category: data-engineering
dependencies:
skills: []
tools: [shell]
packages: []
quality:
usage_count: 0
success_rate: null
loo_delta: null
provenance:
source_repo: TimeToBuildBob/bob
source_path: skills/postgres-query-optimizer
---
```
## Integration with Lessons
Skills complement lessons:
- **Lessons**: Behavioral patterns and best practices (auto-included)
- **Skills**: Executable workflows with bundled tools (explicitly loaded)
Example:
- Lesson teaches: "Use type hints in Python"
- Skill provides: Type checking utilities and templates
## Publishing and Exchange
The `exchange:` block makes a skill discoverable and installable across the fleet.
When all agents share a registry (e.g. `gptme-contrib/skills/registry.json`), any
agent can find skills by category or dependency and install them with one command.
Exchange fields are optional — a skill works fine without them. Add them when you
want the skill to be findable by other agents or to track quality signals over time.
Quality fields (`usage_count`, `success_rate`, `loo_delta`) are filled automatically
by `gptme-sessions` telemetry and `lesson-loo-analysis.py` — you don't need to fill
them in by hand.
## Related
- [Skills README](../README.md) - Skills system overview