/update-skill

Load an existing skill, make improvements, and validate.

Usage

/update-skill <path>

Arguments:

• path — Path to skill directory (relative or absolute)

Examples

/update-skill ai/skills/realtime/websocket-hub-patterns
/update-skill ai/skills/design-systems/distinctive-design-systems
/update-skill ai/skills/my-custom-skill

When to Use

• After using a skill and finding gaps or issues
• When a better approach is discovered
• To add missing sections (NEVER Do, Related, examples)
• When patterns or best practices change
• During periodic skill maintenance

What It Does

1. Reads the current SKILL.md content
2. Validates current structure (checks for required sections)
3. Identifies gaps (missing When to Use, NEVER Do, Related, examples)
4. Prompts for specific updates:
   • What needs to change?
   • New patterns to add?
   • Anti-patterns discovered?
5. Updates the skill with changes
6. Re-validates against quality criteria
7. Reports what was changed

Required Sections Check

The command verifies these sections exist:

• Frontmatter with name and description
• When to Use section
• Code examples
• NEVER Do section
• Related section (if applicable)

Quality Re-validation

After updates:

• Description still has WHAT, WHEN, KEYWORDS
• Still <300 lines (max 500)
• Still project-agnostic
• New content follows existing style

Output Locations

• Updated skill → [path]/SKILL.md
• No new files created

Related

• Create new: /create-skill (for new skills)
• Validate: /validate-skill (check without updating)
• Archive old: /archive-skill (deprecate skills)