Glossary

Key terms for Claude Code skills, skill files, and AI prompt engineering.

Claude Code Skill

A reusable instruction set stored as a Markdown file that teaches Claude Code how to perform a specific task. Invoked via a slash command (e.g. /review-code).

Example

A skill named review-code might instruct Claude to check for security vulnerabilities and suggest fixes.

SKILL.md

The standard filename for a Claude Code skill file. Stored at ~/.claude/skills/<skill-name>/SKILL.md. Contains YAML frontmatter and imperative instructions.

Example

~/.claude/skills/write-tests/SKILL.md

Skill File

A Markdown (.md) file with YAML frontmatter (name, description) and a body of instructions. The file format Claude Code reads when a skill is invoked.

Example

--- name: fix-bug description: Find and fix the reported bug --- Read the error message...

Slash Command

The syntax used to invoke a Claude Code skill. Typing /skill-name in Claude Code loads and executes the corresponding SKILL.md file.

Example

Typing /write-tests triggers the write-tests skill.

Prompt Engineering

The practice of crafting precise instructions to get reliable, high-quality outputs from AI models. Claude Code skills are a form of reusable prompt engineering.

Example

SkillMinter applies prompt engineering principles to transform vague descriptions into effective skill files.

Skill Generator

A tool that creates Claude Code skill files automatically. SkillMinter is a free skill generator that uses AI to apply prompt engineering best practices.

Example

SkillMinter at skillminter.com generates ready-to-use skill files from plain-language descriptions.

Claude Code

An AI coding assistant by Anthropic that runs in the terminal. It supports custom skills that extend its behavior via slash commands.

Example

Claude Code can be extended with custom /review-pr or /write-docs skills.

Frontmatter

The YAML block at the top of a skill file delimited by ---. Contains the skill's name and description, which Claude Code uses to identify and trigger the skill.

Example

--- name: write-tests description: Write unit tests for the current file ---

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