# Skills

> **Deep domain knowledge loaded on-demand.**

Skills are comprehensive knowledge modules that provide expertise in specific areas. Unlike agents (which perform actions), skills provide context and guidance.

---

## Available Skills

| Skill | Purpose | When Loaded |
|-------|---------|-------------|
| [coding-standards](./coding-standards/) | Language-specific best practices | On code writing |
| [backend-patterns](./backend-patterns/) | API design, caching, rate limiting | On backend work |
| [frontend-patterns](./frontend-patterns/) | React hooks, state management | On frontend work |
| [tdd-workflow](./tdd-workflow/) | Red-Green-Refactor methodology | On test writing |
| [security-review](./security-review/) | OWASP checklist, threat modeling | On security code |
| [verification-loop](./verification-loop/) | Pre-PR quality gates | Before commits |
| [strategic-compact](./strategic-compact/) | Context compaction strategies | On long sessions |
| [continuous-learning](./continuous-learning/) | Session pattern extraction | At session end |

---

## How Skills Work

### Automatic Loading
Skills load automatically based on context:
- Writing Python? → `coding-standards/python.md` loads
- Working on API? → `backend-patterns/` loads
- Writing tests? → `tdd-workflow/` loads

### Manual Loading
```bash
# Load specific skill
/skill coding-standards

# Load for specific language
/skill coding-standards python
```

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## Skill vs Agent

| Aspect | Skill | Agent |
|--------|-------|-------|
| Purpose | Provide knowledge | Perform actions |
| Activation | Context-loaded | Command-invoked |
| Output | Guidance | Code changes |
| Example | "How to write tests" | "Write tests for X" |

---

## Creating Custom Skills

1. Create directory: `skills/<skill-name>/`
2. Add `README.md` with skill overview
3. Add knowledge files for specific topics
4. Register in this README

### Template

```
skills/
└── my-skill/
    ├── README.md       # Overview and when to use
    ├── basics.md       # Core concepts
    ├── advanced.md     # Advanced patterns
    └── examples.md     # Code examples
```

---

## Best Practices

1. **Keep focused** - One skill = one domain
2. **Include examples** - Code > prose
3. **Link to agents** - Skills inform, agents act
4. **Update regularly** - Skills should evolve with practice
