jdrhyne/command-creator

Command Creator

This skill guides the creation of Claude Code slash commands - reusable workflows that can be invoked with /command-name in Claude Code conversations.

About Slash Commands

Slash commands are markdown files stored in .claude/commands/ (project-level) or ~/.claude/commands/ (global/user-level) that get expanded into prompts when invoked. They're ideal for:

• Repetitive workflows (code review, PR submission, CI fixing)
• Multi-step processes that need consistency
• Agent delegation patterns
• Project-specific automation

When to Use This Skill

Invoke this skill when users:

• Ask to "create a command" or "make a slash command"
• Want to automate a repetitive workflow
• Need to document a consistent process for reuse
• Say "I keep doing X, can we make a command for it?"
• Want to create project-specific or global commands

Bundled Resources

This skill includes reference documentation for detailed guidance:

• patterns.md in this skill's references folder - Command patterns (workflow automation, iterative fixing, agent delegation, simple execution)
• examples.md in this skill's references folder - Real command examples with full source (submit-stack, ensure-ci, create-implementation-plan)
• best-practices.md in this skill's references folder - Quality checklist, common pitfalls, writing guidelines, template structure

Load these references as needed when creating commands to understand patterns, see examples, or ensure quality.

Safety Boundaries

• Do not create or overwrite commands outside the user-chosen project or global commands directory.
• Do not include destructive steps, hidden network calls, or irreversible operations unless the user asked for them explicitly.
• Do not assume a command should be global when the project directory is the safer default.
• Do not read unrelated files for context when the command can be built from the request and this skill's bundled guides.

Command Structure Overview

Every slash command is a markdown file with:

---
description: Brief description shown in /help (required)
argument-hint: <placeholder> (optional, if command takes arguments)
---

# Command Title

[Detailed instructions for the agent to execute autonomously]

Command Creation Workflow

Step 1: Determine Location

Auto-detect the appropriate location:

1. Check git repository status: git rev-parse --is-inside-work-tree 2>/dev/null
2. Default location:
   • If in git repo → Project-level: .claude/commands/
   • If not in git repo → Global: ~/.claude/commands/
3. Allow user override:
   • If user explicitly mentions "global" or "user-level" → Use ~/.claude/commands/
   • If user explicitly mentions "project" or "project-level" → Use .claude/commands/

Report the chosen location to the user before proceeding.

Step 2: Show Command Patterns

Help the user understand different command types. Load patterns.md from this skill's references folder to see available patterns:

• Workflow Automation - Analyze → Act → Report (e.g., submit-stack)
• Iterative Fixing - Run → Parse → Fix → Repeat (e.g., ensure-ci)
• Agent Delegation - Context → Delegate → Iterate (e.g., create-implementation-plan)
• Simple Execution - Run command with args (e.g., codex-review)

Ask the user: "Which pattern is closest to what you want to create?" This helps frame the conversation.

Step 3: Gather Command Information

Ask the user for key information:

A. Command Name and Purpose

Ask:

• "What should the command be called?" (for filename)
• "What does this command do?" (for description field)

Guidelines:

• Command names MUST be kebab-case (hyphens, NOT underscores)
  • ✅ CORRECT: submit-stack, ensure-ci, create-from-plan
  • ❌ WRONG: submit_stack, ensure_ci, create_from_plan
• File names match command names: my-command.md → invoked as /my-command
• Description should be concise, action-oriented (appears in /help output)

B. Arguments

Ask:

• "Does this command take any arguments?"
• "Are arguments required or optional?"
• "What should arguments represent?"

If command takes arguments:

• Add argument-hint: <placeholder> to frontmatter
• Use <angle-brackets> for required arguments
• Use [square-brackets] for optional arguments

C. Workflow Steps

Ask:

• "What are the specific steps this command should follow?"
• "What order should they happen in?"
• "What tools or commands should be used?"

Gather details about:

• Initial analysis or checks to perform
• Main actions to take
• How to handle results
• Success criteria
• Error handling approach

D. Tool Restrictions and Guidance

Ask:

• "Should this command use any specific agents or tools?"
• "Are there any tools or operations it should avoid?"
• "Should it read any specific files for context?"

Step 4: Generate Optimized Command

Create the command file with agent-ready instructions. Load best-practices.md from this skill's references folder for:

• Template structure
• Best practices for agent execution
• Writing style guidelines
• Quality checklist

Key principles:

• Use imperative/infinitive form (verb-first instructions)
• Be explicit and specific
• Include expected outcomes
• Provide concrete examples
• Define clear error handling

Step 5: Create the Command File

1. Determine full file path:

   • Project: .claude/commands/[command-name].md
   • Global: ~/.claude/commands/[command-name].md

2. Ensure directory exists:

   mkdir -p [directory-path]
   

3. Write the command file using the Write tool

4. Confirm with user:

   • Report the file location
   • Summarize what the command does
   • Explain how to use it: /command-name [arguments]

Step 6: Test and Iterate (Optional)

If the user wants to test:

1. Suggest testing: You can test this command by running: /command-name [arguments]
2. Be ready to iterate based on feedback
3. Update the file with improvements as needed

Quick Tips

For detailed guidance, load the bundled references:

• Load patterns.md from this skill's references folder when designing the command workflow
• Load examples.md from this skill's references folder to see how existing commands are structured
• Load best-practices.md from this skill's references folder before finalizing to ensure quality

Common patterns to remember:

• Use Bash tool for pytest, pyright, ruff, prettier, make, gt commands
• Use Task tool to invoke subagents for specialized tasks
• Check for specific files first (e.g., .PLAN.md) before proceeding
• Mark todos complete immediately, not in batches
• Include explicit error handling instructions
• Define clear success criteria

Summary

When creating a command:

1. Detect location (project vs global)
2. Show patterns to frame the conversation
3. Gather information (name, purpose, arguments, steps, tools)
4. Generate optimized command with agent-executable instructions
5. Create file at appropriate location
6. Confirm and iterate as needed

Focus on creating commands that agents can execute autonomously, with clear steps, explicit tool usage, and proper error handling.