---
name: "Official Agent Skills SKILL.md spec (agentskills.io)"
description: "Use when authoring a portable SKILL.md that must validate against agentskills.io."
---

# Official Agent Skills SKILL.md spec (agentskills.io)

## When
Use when packaging a skill directory with required SKILL.md plus optional scripts/references/assets.

## Stop
Never let name in frontmatter mismatch the parent directory. Never nest reference chains.

## Steps
1. **Metadata (~100 tokens)** — `name` + `description` loaded at startup for **all** skills.
2. **Instructions (< 5000 tokens recommended)** — full `SKILL.md` body loaded when the skill activates. Keep the main file under **500 lines**.
3. **Resources (as needed)** — `scripts/`, `references/`, `assets/` loaded only when required.

## Load
SKILL.md tree. agentskills.io spec. No deploy.