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How to build your first AI skill in 10 minutes

by Mack 3 min read guideskillsbeginner

What you are building

A skill file is a markdown document that gives Claude Code a set of standing instructions. Instead of typing the same prompt over and over, you write it once, save it as SKILL.md, and Claude loads it every time you run that skill.

One file. One capability. Reusable forever.

This guide builds a simple research skill: you give it a topic, it returns a structured brief with key findings, sources, and a summary. Useful for competitive research, quick topic dives, or client prep work.

What you need

  • Claude Code installed (get it here)
  • A text editor
  • 10 minutes

That is it. No API keys, no configuration files, no dependencies.

The anatomy of SKILL.md

Every skill file has three sections:

1. Identity — what this skill is and when to use it

2. Instructions — the exact steps Claude should follow

3. Output format — what the result should look like

Here is the full structure:

# Skill: [Name]

## What this does
[One paragraph. What the skill produces and when to use it.]

## Instructions
[Numbered steps. Be specific. Claude follows these exactly.]

## Output format
[Describe the structure of the result. Use headings, bullets, tables.]

The format matters. Vague instructions produce vague results. Specific instructions produce specific results.

The research skill

Create a folder called skills/ wherever you keep your work files. Inside it, create a file called research-brief.md. Paste this in:

# Skill: Research Brief

## What this does
Takes a topic and returns a structured research brief: background context,
3-5 key findings, open questions, and recommended sources. Use this before
any meeting, pitch, or new project.

## Instructions
1. Read the topic provided by the user.
2. Research the topic using your training knowledge and any available context.
3. Identify the 3-5 most important facts, trends, or findings.
4. Note 2-3 open questions that need external research.
5. Suggest 3 source types the user should check for current data.
6. Write the output using the format below.

## Output format
**Topic:** [topic name]

**Background:** 2-3 sentences of essential context.

**Key findings:**
- Finding 1
- Finding 2
- Finding 3

**Open questions:**
- Question 1
- Question 2

**Recommended sources:**
- Source type 1 (why it matters)
- Source type 2 (why it matters)
- Source type 3 (why it matters)

How to install it

In Claude Code, open a project or start a new session. Run this command:

/add-skill skills/research-brief.md

Claude will confirm it loaded the skill. From now on, that skill is available in this session.

How to run it

Type this in the chat:

Run the research brief skill on: [your topic]

For example:

Run the research brief skill on: AI agent frameworks for solo developers

Claude will follow the instructions in your SKILL.md and return a structured brief. Every time. No reprompting.

What to do next

The research brief is the simplest possible skill. Once you understand the structure, you can build anything:

  • A writing skill that matches your voice
  • A code review skill that checks for specific patterns
  • A client onboarding skill that generates intake documents
  • An analysis skill that formats data the way you need it

The pattern is always the same: identity, instructions, output format.

Where to go from here: Read What is a Claude Code skill and why should you care for a deeper look at how skills compose into systems.

All of our tools are free on GitHub. The full system is $497 lifetime at realityresearch.studio.