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A skill is a markdown instruction module that agents load into context. Skills provide reusable instructions, checklists, and workflows that any agent can follow.

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Format

Every skill is a directory containing a SKILL.md file with YAML frontmatter and a markdown body: 
---
name: code-review
description: "Code review checklist and structured review output"
metadata:
  strawpot:
    dependencies:
      - security-baseline
      - git-workflow>=1.0.0
    tools:
      gh:
        description: GitHub CLI
        install:
          macos: brew install gh
          linux: apt install gh
          windows: winget install GitHub.cli
---

# Code Review

Step-by-step instructions for the agent...

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Required Fields

FieldDescription
namePackage slug (unique identifier, used for install/publish)
descriptionOne-line summary

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Optional Fields

FieldDescription
metadata.strawpot.dependenciesList of skill dependencies with optional version constraints
metadata.strawpot.toolsSystem tool requirements with OS-specific install commands

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Dependencies

Skills can depend on other skills. Dependencies are declared as a flat list: 
metadata:
  strawpot:
    dependencies:
      - security-baseline          # latest version
      - git-workflow>=1.0.0        # minimum version
      - python-testing^2.0.0       # compatible version
      - code-style==1.5.0          # exact version
See Dependencies for version specifier details.

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System Tools

Skills can declare system tool requirements. During installation, the CLI checks if each tool is available on PATH and runs the install command for the current OS if missing. 
metadata:
  strawpot:
    tools:
      gh:
        description: GitHub CLI
        install:
          macos: brew install gh
          linux: apt install gh
          windows: winget install GitHub.cli
      docker:
        description: Docker
        install:
          macos: brew install docker
          linux: apt install docker.io
          windows: winget install Docker.DockerDesktop
Supported OS keys: macos, linux, windows. Use --skip-tools during install to opt out, or run strawhub install-tools later to re-check.

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Supporting Files

A skill directory can contain additional files alongside SKILL.md:
  • Scripts, references, examples
  • Allowed extensions: .md, .txt, .json, .yaml, .yml, .toml
  • Max 20 files, 512 KB each

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How Agents Use Skills

When StrawPot spawns an agent with a role, the role’s skill dependencies are staged into the agent’s workspace: 
<agent-workspace>/
└── skills/
    ├── git-workflow/SKILL.md
    ├── code-review/SKILL.md
    └── security-baseline/SKILL.md
The skill markdown body is included in the agent’s system prompt, giving it the instructions defined by the skill author.