Guide · Agent skill
How to use the Example Command Skill agent skill
Updated · written with AI from the project's own documentation and checked against our catalogue data
The example-command skill is a sample agent skill from Anthropic's claude-plugins-official repository. It is a template that shows how a skill is laid out: a SKILL.md file with frontmatter settings followed by plain-language instructions. This guide explains what a skill is, how to install this one, how to trigger it, and how to use it as a starting point for your own skills.
Example Command Skillanthropics/claude-plugins-official · Apache-2.0 Download the skill Quick start
- 1Download the ZIP. Download the example-command ZIP from this page. It contains SKILL.md.
- 2Unzip into a skills folder. Place the example-command folder in ~/.claude/skills/ for personal use or .claude/skills/ inside a project.
- 3Or upload in the Claude apps. In the Claude apps, go to Settings → Capabilities → Skills and upload the skill there instead.
- 4Invoke the slash command. Type /example-command followed by your argument, for example /example-command my-argument.
- 5Check the result. Read the agent's report to see how it parsed your arguments and which tools it used.
- 6Copy and edit for your own skill. Duplicate the folder, rename it, and update the frontmatter and instructions to match your task.
What an agent skill is and what this one does
An agent skill is a folder containing a SKILL.md file. The file holds settings at the top (the frontmatter) and instructions for the agent below. When a skill is user-invoked, you call it with a slash command and the agent follows the instructions in the file.
The example-command skill is a demonstration rather than a working tool. Once installed and invoked, the agent parses the arguments you give it, performs the requested action using the tools the skill lists, and reports results back. The task itself is generic and exists only to illustrate the format.
Install the example-command skill
Download the ZIP file from this page. It contains a single file, SKILL.md. Unzip it so that the example-command folder sits inside one of the following locations:
- Personal skills: ~/.claude/skills/
- Project skills: .claude/skills/ inside your project folder
- Claude apps: upload the skill under Settings → Capabilities → Skills
Trigger the skill with a request
Because this is a user-invoked skill, you trigger it with the slash command /example-command followed by your arguments. The skill's frontmatter gives the hint <required-arg> [optional-arg], so the first argument is required and the second is optional.
The skill's description is shown in /help, which is a quick way to confirm it is loaded.
/example-command my-argument
/example-command arg1 arg2Examples of what happens when you invoke it
The skill passes your text to the agent as $ARGUMENTS. The agent then follows three steps: parse the arguments, perform the requested action using allowed tools, and report results back. Because the task is generic, the output shows the flow rather than solving a real problem.
- Run /example-command my-argument to see the agent accept one required argument.
- Run /example-command arg1 arg2 to see it handle two arguments.
- Check /help to confirm the skill's description appears.
What the skill needs and what it can access
The source lists no requirements. The skill declares pre-approved tools (Read, Glob, Grep, Bash) in allowed-tools, which reduces permission prompts while the skill runs. It does not run scripts and does not use the network, according to its listing.
- Requires: nothing listed
- Runs scripts: no
- Uses network: no
- Pre-approved tools: Read, Glob, Grep, Bash
Use it as a template for your own skills
The most practical use is copying the folder and editing it. The frontmatter reference lists the fields a skill can use: name (matches the directory name), description, argument-hint, allowed-tools, and an optional model override such as haiku, sonnet, or opus.
The source notes that this layout and the legacy commands/example-command.md format are loaded the same way; only the file layout differs.
- Rename the folder and set name to match it.
- Rewrite description so it appears clearly in /help.
- Replace the generic instructions with your own steps.
- Limit allowed-tools to what your skill actually needs.
What people use it for
- Learning the SKILL.md frontmatter fields before writing a first skill
- Creating a starting folder for a new user-invoked slash command
- Showing a team how skill arguments and allowed-tools are declared
- Testing that your skills folder is picked up by the agent
Frequently asked questions
Is the example-command skill free to use?
The source lists the licence as Apache-2.0, which is the licence for this repository. The source does not mention prices, so check the repository's terms before you rely on it commercially.
What do I need to run the example-command skill?
The listing states no requirements. It does not run scripts and does not use the network. You need an agent setup that supports skills, such as Claude, to invoke it.
Where do I put the example-command skill folder?
Place it in ~/.claude/skills/ for personal use or in .claude/skills/ inside a project. In the Claude apps, you can instead upload it under Settings → Capabilities → Skills.
Why does /example-command not solve a real problem?
It is a template. Its instructions are generic: parse the arguments, perform the requested action with allowed tools, and report results. It contains no domain logic and is meant to be copied and edited.
What is the difference between a skill and a slash command here?
The source says the skills/<name>/SKILL.md layout is functionally identical to the legacy commands/example-command.md format. Both load the same way; only the file layout differs.
Can I use this skill to learn how to write my own?
Yes. It is aimed at developers learning the format and plugin authors who want a starting layout. If you do not write skills, it adds little value beyond understanding the format.
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Our verdict
Use this skill if you are a developer or plugin author learning how to write a SKILL.md file with frontmatter, or you want a starting folder to copy. Skip it if you expect a ready-made capability, since it performs only generic illustrative steps and adds little outside of learning the format.
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