---
name: example-skill
description: Performs one bounded, repeatable workflow. Use when the requested task matches the workflow described in this Skill.
metadata:
  version: "0.1.0"
---

# SKILL.md

> Package one bounded, repeatable workflow with a discoverable trigger, explicit inputs and outputs, ordered instructions, edge-case handling, and validation. Keep supporting references and scripts inspectable.

**Decision rule:** Create a Skill when the same specialized workflow should activate on demand across tasks or projects. Keep durable repository rules in AGENTS.md and one-off work in the task itself.

## How to use this template

- Replace every angle-bracket placeholder with project-specific evidence.
- Remove sections that do not apply instead of leaving ambiguous boilerplate.
- Link decisions to their specifications, tasks, tests, traces, and owners.
- Re-review this file when the workflow, authority boundary, or primary source changes.

## Trigger and outcome

> Make it easy for an agent to decide when the Skill applies and what successful completion means.

- **Use when:** <List the user phrases, file types, or task conditions that should activate this Skill>
- **Do not use when:** <Name nearby tasks that require a different workflow or human judgment>
- **Outcome:** <Describe the verifiable artifact or state this Skill produces>

## Inputs and outputs

> Declare required context and a stable return contract before the procedure.

- **Required inputs:** <List files, parameters, credentials, and assumptions the workflow needs>
- **Output contract:** <Define files, structured fields, messages, or evidence returned>
- **Dependencies:** <List optional scripts, references, assets, tools, and environment requirements>

## Procedure

> Write ordered steps with decision points, checkpoints, and the smallest safe tool scope.

- **Prepare:** <Describe read-only discovery and precondition checks>
- **Execute:** <List the ordered implementation steps and allowed tools>
- **Verify:** <State the checks that must pass before returning the result>

## Failures and progressive disclosure

> Keep the main file focused while making recovery and deeper material discoverable.

- **Edge cases:** <List ambiguous, malformed, missing, or unsafe inputs and the required response>
- **Recovery:** <Explain retry limits, cleanup, rollback, and escalation>
- **References:** <Link focused files under references, scripts, or assets using relative paths>

## Related AgentAtlas field guides

- [Skills](https://agentatlas.dev/topics/skills)
- [Tasks](https://agentatlas.dev/topics/tasks)
- [Tools and MCP](https://agentatlas.dev/topics/tools-mcp)

## Primary references

- [Agent Skills specification](https://agentskills.io/specification) — The portable Skill directory structure, required SKILL.md metadata, progressive disclosure, and optional resource folders.
- [Build skills for ChatGPT and Codex](https://learn.chatgpt.com/docs/build-skills) — How Skills are authored, discovered, loaded, and used across OpenAI agent surfaces.
- [Agentic SDD workflow](https://github.github.com/spec-kit/reference/agentic-sdd.html) — Generating and analyzing implementation tasks after specification and planning quality gates.
- [A2A protocol specification](https://a2a-protocol.org/latest/specification/) — Task identity, lifecycle, messages, status, artifacts, cancellation, and communication across agent boundaries.
- [MCP specification](https://modelcontextprotocol.io/specification/) — The protocol model, capability negotiation, tools, resources, prompts, transports, authorization, and security considerations.
- [Connect Codex to MCP servers](https://learn.chatgpt.com/docs/extend/mcp) — How Codex discovers, configures, authenticates, and uses MCP servers and their capabilities.

---

- Template version: 1.0.0
- Reviewed: 2026-07-26

Generated deterministically from reviewed AgentAtlas records.