Skill Creator

Table of Contents

• [Workflow](#workflow)

- [Step 1: Inspectional Reading](#step-1-inspectional-reading) - [Step 2: Structural Analysis](#step-2-structural-analysis) - [Step 3: Component Extraction](#step-3-component-extraction) - [Step 4: Synthesis and Application](#step-4-synthesis-and-application) - [Step 5: Skill Construction](#step-5-skill-construction) - [Step 6: Validation and Refinement](#step-6-validation-and-refinement)

This skill applies Mortimer Adler's systematic reading methodology ("How to Read a Book") through a six-step progressive approach: inspectional reading, structural analysis, component extraction, synthesis, skill construction, and validation. The process is collaborative -- at decision points, options and trade-offs are presented for the user to choose.

Methodology composition. All five extractable steps are now backed by domain-neutral standalone skills, reusable beyond skill creation. The orchestration is owned by the [skill-creator agent](../../agents/skill-creator.md); this skill-file remains as documentation of the methodology and as a way to apply the methodology without the agent's session-workspace overhead.

Workflow

COPY THIS CHECKLIST and work through each step:

Skill Creation Workflow
- [ ] Step 0: Initialize session workspace
- [ ] Step 1: Inspectional Reading
- [ ] Step 2: Structural Analysis
- [ ] Step 3: Component Extraction
- [ ] Step 4: Synthesis and Application
- [ ] Step 5: Skill Construction
- [ ] Step 6: Validation and Refinement

Step 0: Initialize Session Workspace

Create working directory and global context file. See [resources/inspectional-reading.md#session-initialization](resources/inspectional-reading.md#session-initialization) for setup commands.

Step 1: Inspectional Reading

Skim document systematically, classify type, assess skill-worthiness. Writes to step-1-output.md. See [resources/inspectional-reading.md#why-systematic-skimming](resources/inspectional-reading.md#why-systematic-skimming) for skim approach, [resources/inspectional-reading.md#why-document-type-matters](resources/inspectional-reading.md#why-document-type-matters) for classification, [resources/inspectional-reading.md#why-skill-worthiness-check](resources/inspectional-reading.md#why-skill-worthiness-check) for assessment criteria.

Step 2: Structural Analysis

Reads global-context.md + step-1-output.md. Classify content, state unity, enumerate parts, define problems. Writes to step-2-output.md. See [resources/structural-analysis.md#why-classify-content](resources/structural-analysis.md#why-classify-content), [resources/structural-analysis.md#why-state-unity](resources/structural-analysis.md#why-state-unity), [resources/structural-analysis.md#why-enumerate-parts](resources/structural-analysis.md#why-enumerate-parts), [resources/structural-analysis.md#why-define-problems](resources/structural-analysis.md#why-define-problems).

Step 3: Component Extraction

Reads global-context.md + step-2-output.md. Choose reading strategy, extract terms/propositions/arguments/solutions section-by-section. Writes to step-3-output.md. See [resources/component-extraction.md#why-reading-strategy](resources/component-extraction.md#why-reading-strategy) for strategy selection, [resources/component-extraction.md#section-based-extraction](resources/component-extraction.md#section-based-extraction) for programmatic approach, [resources/component-extraction.md#why-extract-terms](resources/component-extraction.md#why-extract-terms) through [resources/component-extraction.md#why-extract-solutions](resources/component-extraction.md#why-extract-solutions) for what to extract.

Step 4: Synthesis and Application

Reads global-context.md + step-3-output.md. Evaluate completeness, identify applications, transform to actionable steps, define triggers. Writes to step-4-output.md. See [resources/synthesis-application.md#why-evaluate-completeness](resources/synthesis-application.md#why-evaluate-completeness), [resources/synthesis-application.md#why-identify-applications](resources/synthesis-application.md#why-identify-applications), [resources/synthesis-application.md#why-transform-to-actions](resources/synthesis-application.md#why-transform-to-actions), [resources/synthesis-application.md#why-define-triggers](resources/synthesis-application.md#why-define-triggers).

Step 5: Skill Construction

Reads global-context.md + step-4-output.md. Determine complexity, plan resources, create SKILL.md and resource files, create rubric. Writes to step-5-output.md. See [resources/skill-construction.md#why-complexity-level](resources/skill-construction.md#why-complexity-level), [resources/skill-construction.md#why-plan-resources](resources/skill-construction.md#why-plan-resources), [resources/skill-construction.md#why-skill-md-structure](resources/skill-construction.md#why-skill-md-structure), [resources/skill-construction.md#why-resource-structure](resources/skill-construction.md#why-resource-structure), [resources/skill-construction.md#why-evaluation-rubric](resources/skill-construction.md#why-evaluation-rubric).

Step 6: Validation and Refinement

Reads global-context.md + step-5-output.md + actual skill files. Score using rubric, present analysis, refine based on user decision. Writes to step-6-output.md. See [resources/evaluation-rubric.json](resources/evaluation-rubric.json) for criteria.

Notes

• File-Based Context: Each step writes output files to avoid context overflow
• Global Context: All steps read global-context.md for continuity
• Sequential Dependencies: Each step reads previous step's output
• User Collaboration: Always present findings and get approval at decision points
• Quality Standards: Use evaluation rubric (threshold ≥ 3.5) before delivery