Documentation for the Auto-Skill plugin - automatic workflow pattern detection, skill generation, and dynamic loading
Resources
1Install
npx skillscat add matrixy/auto-skill/auto-skill-guide Install via the SkillsCat registry.
The Auto-Skill plugin monitors coding agent sessions to detect repeated workflow patterns, then generates reusable skill files that can be loaded mid-session. It solves the problem of manually capturing and reusing recurring agent behaviors by automating pattern detection after three or more similar occurrences. Developers should use it when they want to convert repeated multi-step workflows into persistent, loadable skills without restarting sessions.
Auto-Skill Plugin
This plugin automatically detects workflow patterns from your coding agent sessions, generates reusable skills, and can load them dynamically mid-session.
CLI Tool Installation
The agent skills are now installed, but to use CLI commands like auto-skill init, auto-skill discover, etc., you need to install the npm package.
Quick Install:
# Option 1: Run the included install script
bash ~/.agents/skills/auto-skill-guide/install-cli.sh
# Option 2: Install globally via npm
npm install -g @matrixy/auto-skill
# Option 3: Use without installing (via npx)
npx @matrixy/auto-skill initVerify: auto-skill version
How It Works
Session 1: Grep → Read → Edit ─┐
Session 2: Grep → Read → Edit ├──▶ Pattern Detected → SKILL.md
Session 3: Grep → Read → Edit ─┘- Observation: Every tool call is recorded via PostToolUse hook
- Detection: Patterns are analyzed for repetition (3+ occurrences)
- Generation: Approved patterns become SKILL.md files with proper frontmatter
- Discovery: Claude proactively offers relevant skills for your tasks
- Loading: Skills can be loaded mid-session without restart
Commands
/auto-skill:review
Review and approve detected patterns:
/auto-skill:review # List all detected patterns
/auto-skill:review preview ID # Preview a pattern as a skill
/auto-skill:review approve ID # Generate skill from pattern
/auto-skill:review reject ID # Dismiss a pattern/auto-skill:load
Load a generated skill into the current session:
/auto-skill:load # List available skills
/auto-skill:load <name> # Load specific skill immediatelySkills loaded this way become active immediately without requiring a session restart.
/auto-skill:status
Show system diagnostics:
/auto-skill:status # Display stats, patterns, and configPattern Detection
Patterns are detected when:
- Same tool sequence appears 3+ times across sessions
- Sequence is 2-10 tools long
- Pattern has occurred within the last 7 days
Confidence Scoring
| Factor | Weight | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Occurrences | 40% | More occurrences = higher confidence |
| Length | 20% | 3-5 tools is ideal |
| Success Rate | 25% | Successful patterns score higher |
| Recency | 15% | Recent patterns are prioritized |
Example Patterns
Grep → Read → Edit # Search, read context, make changes
Glob → Read → Write # Find files, read, create new file
Read → Edit → Bash # Read file, edit, run testsDynamic Skill Loading
Unlike standard Claude Code skills (loaded at session start), auto-generated skills can be loaded mid-session using a registry system.
How It Works
- A lightweight registry indexes all skills (~metadata only)
- Scripts retrieve and format skill content on demand
- Output uses clear delimiters that signal active instructions:
======================================================================
SKILL LOADED: <name>
Confidence: <score>
Allowed tools: <tools>
======================================================================
<skill instructions>
======================================================================
END OF SKILL - INSTRUCTIONS ARE NOW ACTIVE
======================================================================Proactive Discovery
Claude can automatically discover relevant skills using the skill-discovery skill:
- User requests a multi-step task
- Claude searches for matching skills
- If found, Claude asks: "Would you like me to load this skill?"
- User approves → skill is loaded and followed
CLI Commands
auto-skill discover # Discover skill patterns
auto-skill stats # Show adoption statistics
auto-skill graduate # Manage skill graduation
auto-skill agents list # List known agents
auto-skill agents detect # Detect installed agentsTo search for community skills, use Skills CLI:
npx skills find "query" # Interactive search
npx skills add owner/repo # Install skillExecution Contexts
Generated skills automatically get appropriate execution settings:
| Pattern Type | Context | Agent | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
Grep → Read |
Inline | Explore | Read-only, safe |
Read → Edit → Bash |
Fork | general-purpose | Has side effects |
Inline: Runs in current conversation context.
Fork (context: fork): Runs in isolated subagent. Use for:
- Tasks with side effects (deployments, builds)
- Workflows that shouldn't pollute conversation history
- Long-running operations
Tool Restrictions
Generated skills include allowed-tools based on the pattern:
allowed-tools: Grep, Read, EditThis prevents scope creep and ensures predictable behavior.
Generated Skills
Auto-generated skills are saved to:
~/.claude/skills/auto/<skill-name>/SKILL.mdEach skill includes:
- YAML frontmatter with metadata
auto-generated: trueflagcontext: forkif appropriateallowed-toolsrestrictions- Confidence score and source sessions
- Procedural steps derived from the pattern
Configuration
Detection thresholds (in ~/.claude/auto-skill.local.md):
---
detection:
min_occurrences: 3 # Minimum pattern repetitions
min_sequence_length: 2 # Shortest pattern
max_sequence_length: 10 # Longest pattern
lookback_days: 7 # Analysis window
min_confidence: 0.7 # Suggestion threshold
---Data Storage
| Data | Location |
|---|---|
| Events | ~/.claude/auto-skill/events.db |
| Skills | ~/.claude/skills/auto/ |
| Tracking | ~/.claude/auto-skill/skills_tracking.db |
Privacy
- All data is stored locally
- No data is sent to external services
- Anonymous telemetry can be disabled via
AUTO_SKILL_NO_TELEMETRY=1orDO_NOT_TRACK=1
Troubleshooting
No patterns detected?
- Need 3+ occurrences of the same sequence
- Check the lookback period (default: 7 days)
- Run
/auto-skill:statusto see event counts
Skill not loading?
- Run
auto-skill discoverto refresh - Check the skill exists in
~/.claude/skills/auto/
Hooks not working?
- Verify plugin is installed correctly
- Check
hooks/hooks.jsonconfiguration - Ensure Node.js 18+ is available
Want to reset?
- Delete
~/.claude/auto-skill/events.db - Remove skills from
~/.claude/skills/auto/