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Skills

Create a reusable skill​

Use a Skill when the same instructions, checklist, or multi-step procedure is repeatedly pasted into conversations.

Create the skill directory:

mkdir -p .claude/skills/production-readiness

Create:

.claude/skills/production-readiness/SKILL.md

Add:

---
name: production-readiness
description: Review a proposed change for production readiness
---

# Production readiness review

Review the requested change for:

1. Functional correctness
2. Input validation
3. Error handling
4. Security risks
5. Backward compatibility
6. Test coverage
7. Logging and observability
8. Configuration impact
9. Deployment risk
10. Rollback readiness

Return findings by severity.

Do not modify files unless explicitly requested.

Invoke the skill​

Inside Claude Code:

/production-readiness

Or provide a target:

/production-readiness review the current uncommitted changes

Claude may also load a skill automatically when the skill description clearly matches the task. Skills can include supporting files and can execute in the current conversation or through isolated subagent context.

When to use each option​

  • CLAUDE.md: Stable project architecture, commands, conventions, and mandatory rules
  • Rules: Guidance limited to a directory, language, or file pattern
  • Skills: Repeatable procedures, reference material, and structured workflows
  • Personal configuration: Individual preferences that should not affect the team
  • Managed settings: Enterprise-enforced controls that users cannot override

Instruction design checklist​

  • Keep each instruction specific and testable
  • Explain when the instruction applies
  • Avoid conflicting rules
  • Do not embed credentials or secrets
  • Do not store temporary task details in persistent instructions
  • Prefer examples for conventions that are easy to misunderstand
  • Review committed instructions through the normal pull-request process
  • Periodically remove obsolete guidance
Instructions and skills checkpoint

Continue after creating a concise project CLAUDE.md, reviewing the generated instructions, creating one reusable Skill, and confirming that both work correctly in a new Claude Code session.