SkillsAdd

smithery.ai

skill-frontmatter-optimizer

Analyze and optimize skill frontmatter for reliable automatic invocation. Use this skill when: (1) improving an existing skill's description for better triggering, (2) diagnosing why a skill isn't being invoked, (3) rewriting frontmatter to match production patterns, (4) validating description quality against best practices, or any task involving skill metadata optimization (examples: \"optimize frontmatter\", \"fix skill triggering\", \"improve skill description\", \"why isn't my skill invoked…

First seen Apr 9, 2026

Installation

$ npx skills add https://smithery.ai
View on skills.sh ↗ Website ↗

Summary

  • Analyze and optimize skill frontmatter for reliable automatic invocation.
  • Use this skill when: (1) improving an existing skill's description for better triggering, (2) diagnosing why a skill isn't being invoked, (3) rewriting frontmatter to match production patterns, (4) validating description quality against best practices, or any task involving skill metadata optimization (examples: \"optimize frontmatter\", \"fix skill triggering\", \"improve skill description\", \"why isn't my skill invoked\").

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Also in this package

Other skills from smithery.ai · top by installs.

npx skills add https://smithery.ai
smithery-ai-cli 7.8K frontend-design 6.2K skill-creator 2.5K ck:ui-ux-pro-max 1.3K pdf 1.2K xlsx 966 pptx 894 docx 884 webapp-testing 1 web-design-reviewer 657

Browse all from smithery.ai

More details

Agent compatibility

Declared targets from SKILL.md / docs. Unmarked agents are not listed — the skill may still install via the CLI.

Claude Code Declared
Cursor Not declared
Codex Not declared
GitHub Copilot Not declared
Windsurf Not declared
Gemini CLI Not declared
Cline Not declared
OpenCode Not declared

Skill metadata

Parsed from SKILL.md frontmatter.

Declared agents claude-code

Package contents

Files included with this skill beyond the listing page.

  • skill md SKILL.md 2,780 B
  • docs SUMMARY.md 530 B

History

  1. First seen on skills.sh
  2. First recorded snapshot · 1 installs

SKILL.md

Skill Frontmatter Optimizer

Optimize skill frontmatter descriptions for reliable automatic invocation by Claude Code.

Core Problem

The description field is the sole triggering mechanism for skills. Claude only sees name + description (~100 words) until a skill triggers. The SKILL.md body is invisible until after the decision. Poor descriptions = unreliable invocation.

Optimization Workflow

Step 1: Analyze the Existing Skill

Run the analysis script to extract key information:

python scripts/analyze_skill.py /path/to/skill-folder

This extracts:

  • Current frontmatter
  • Key capabilities from the body
  • File types handled
  • Workflow steps mentioned
  • Potential trigger phrases

Step 2: Generate Optimized Description

Run the generator with analysis output:

python scripts/generate_description.py /path/to/skill-folder

Or manually construct using the pattern in references/patterns.md.

Step 3: Validate

python /mnt/skills/examples/skill-creator/scripts/quick_validate.py /path/to/skill-folder

Quick Manual Optimization

If not using scripts, apply this template:

description: "[CAPABILITY_VERBS] [DOMAIN/FORMAT] [FEATURE_LIST]. Use this skill when [USER_INTENT] for: (1) [SCENARIO_1], (2) [SCENARIO_2], (3) [SCENARIO_3], or [CATCH_ALL]. (examples include [CONCRETE_TRIGGERS])"

Checklist

  • Starts with action verbs and key capabilities
  • File extensions explicit: (.docx files), (.pdf, .xlsx)
  • Contains "Use this skill when..." or "When Claude needs to..."
  • Scenarios enumerated: (1), (2), (3)...
  • Catch-all phrase for edge cases
  • Concrete example triggers in parentheses
  • Under 1024 characters
  • No angle brackets < or >

Common Fixes

Problem Fix
Too vague Add specific file types, actions, domains
No trigger signal Add "Use this skill when..." phrase
Missing scenarios Enumerate with (1), (2), (3)...
Body has "When to Use" Move entirely to description
Over 1024 chars Prioritize triggers over features

Reference

See references/patterns.md for production-tested patterns from Anthropic's own skills.