extension-authoring

This skill is the definitive guide for authoring Claude Code extensions. It covers four extension types:

1. Skills - Modular capabilities in SKILL.md files that provide domain expertise
2. Hooks - Event-driven automation that executes on tool use and session events
3. Slash Commands - Reusable prompts triggered with /command-name syntax
4. Subagents - Specialized Claude instances for delegated tasks

All four extension types share core principles: pure XML structure, YAML frontmatter, and clear success criteria. This skill teaches you to create effective extensions following best practices.

What would you like to create or learn about?

1. Skill - SKILL.md file for domain expertise
2. Hook - Event-driven automation (PreToolUse, PostToolUse, Stop, etc.)
3. Slash Command - Reusable prompt with /command-name
4. Subagent - Specialized agent for delegated tasks
5. Guidance - Help deciding which extension type to use

Respond with a number or describe what you want to build.

| Response | Action | |----------|--------| | 1, "skill", "SKILL.md" | Read [reference/skills.md](reference/skills.md) | | 2, "hook", "hooks" | Read [reference/hooks.md](reference/hooks.md) | | 3, "command", "slash" | Read [reference/commands.md](reference/commands.md) | | 4, "subagent", "agent" | Read [reference/subagents.md](reference/subagents.md) | | 5, "guidance", "help" | Use decision tree below |

After reading the reference, follow its workflow exactly.

**Which extension type should I use?**

Is it triggered by specific Claude Code events?
  (tool use, session start/end, user prompt submit)
    YES --> Hook

Is it a reusable prompt the user invokes with /command-name?
    YES --> Slash Command

Is it an isolated task that runs autonomously without user interaction?
    YES --> Subagent

Is it domain knowledge or workflow guidance Claude loads on demand?
    YES --> Skill

Quick decision matrix:

Need	Extension Type
Validate commands before execution	Hook (PreToolUse)
Auto-format code after edits	Hook (PostToolUse)
Desktop notification when input needed	Hook (Notification)
Reusable git commit workflow	Slash Command
Code review checklist	Slash Command
Delegated research task	Subagent
Autonomous test writing	Subagent
API integration knowledge	Skill
Multi-step workflow guidance	Skill
</decision_tree>

These principles apply to ALL Claude Code extension types: **Use pure XML structure. Remove ALL markdown headings from body content.**

<objective>What it does</objective>
<workflow>How to do it</workflow>
<success_criteria>How to know it worked</success_criteria>

Keep markdown formatting WITHIN content (bold, lists, code blocks).

Why XML?

• Semantic meaning for Claude (not just visual formatting)
• Unambiguous section boundaries
• Token efficient (~15 tokens vs ~20 for markdown headings)
• Reliable parsing and progressive disclosure</xml_structure>

All extensions require YAML frontmatter:

---
name: extension-name       # lowercase-with-hyphens
description: What it does and when to use it (third person)
---

Name conventions: create-*, manage-*, setup-*, generate-*

Description rules:

• Third person (never "I" or "you")
• Include WHAT it does AND WHEN to use it
• Maximum 1024 characters</yaml_frontmatter>

Context window is shared. Only add what Claude doesn't already know.

• Assume Claude is smart
• Challenge every piece of content: "Does this justify its token cost?"
• Provide default approach with escape hatch, not a list of options
• Keep main files under 500 lines, split to reference files

Every extension should define clear completion criteria:

<success_criteria>
- Specific measurable outcome 1
- Specific measurable outcome 2
- How to verify it worked
</success_criteria>

</success_criteria> </shared_principles> **File locations:**

Extension	Project Location	User Location
Skill	.claude/skills/	~/.claude/skills/
Hook	.claude/hooks.json	~/.claude/hooks.json
Slash Command	.claude/commands/	~/.claude/commands/
Subagent	.claude/agents/	~/.claude/agents/

Minimal examples:

```markdown --- name: process-pdfs description: Extract text from PDF files. Use when working with PDFs. ---

Extract text from PDF files using pdfplumber.

```python import pdfplumber with pdfplumber.open("file.pdf") as pdf: text = pdf.pages[0].extract_text() ``` </quick_start>

Text extracted without errors.</success_criteria>

</skill_example>

<hook_example>
```json
{
  "hooks": {
    "Notification": [
      {
        "hooks": [
          {
            "type": "command",
            "command": "osascript -e 'display notification \"Claude needs input\" with title \"Claude Code\"'"
          }
        ]
      }
    ]
  }
}

</hook_example> ```markdown --- description: Create a git commit allowed-tools: Bash(git add:*), Bash(git status:*), Bash(git commit:*) ---

Create a git commit for current changes.

Current status: ! `git status` Changes: ! `git diff HEAD` 1. Review changes 2. Stage relevant files 3. Create commit following repository conventions

Commit created successfully.</success_criteria>

</command_example>

<subagent_example>
```markdown
---
name: code-reviewer
description: Reviews code for quality and security. Use after code changes.
tools: Read, Grep, Glob, Bash
model: sonnet
---

<role>
You are a senior code reviewer focused on quality and security.
</role>

<workflow>
1. Read modified files
2. Identify issues
3. Provide specific feedback with file:line references
</workflow>

<constraints>
- NEVER modify code, only review
- ALWAYS provide actionable feedback
</constraints>

</subagent_example> </quick_reference> **Detailed guides:**

Reference	Content
reference/skills.md	SKILL.md structure, router pattern, progressive disclosure
reference/hooks.md	Hook types, matchers, input/output schemas, examples
reference/commands.md	Slash command YAML, arguments, dynamic context
reference/subagents.md	Agent configuration, execution model, orchestration
</reference_index>

**Common mistakes across all extension types:** ```markdown ## Bad - Using markdown headings ```

<good>Using XML tags instead</good>

```yaml description: Helps with stuff # Bad description: Extract text from PDF files. Use when processing documents. # Good ``` ```yaml description: I help you process files # Bad - first person description: Processes files for analysis # Good - third person ``` Provide ONE default approach with escape hatch, not a menu of alternatives. </anti_patterns> A well-authored Claude Code extension has:

• Valid YAML frontmatter with descriptive name and description
• Pure XML structure (no markdown headings in body)
• Clear objective/purpose statement
• Defined success criteria or completion verification
• Appropriate level of detail (not over-engineered)
• Real-world testing and iteration
• Documentation in third person</success_criteria>