How to use the Law Student Outline Builder agent skill

What is an agent skill and what does outline-builder do?

An agent skill is a folder containing a SKILL.md file that tells an AI agent such as Claude Code how to handle a certain kind of task. The agent reads the file and follows its workflow when a matching request comes in.

Outline-builder is designed for building or extending a course outline in your own format, from class notes, a casebook section or a syllabus. It scaffolds the outline: it builds the topic headings, sub-headings, case placeholders and spots for exceptions. It does not write the rules for you. When you paste in rules from your notes or from a source, it integrates them verbatim into the scaffold. Where your material is thin, it marks a gap instead of filling it from its own knowledge.

• Reads your syllabus, casebook excerpts, class notes or existing outline and matches your format
• Builds the topic structure with case slots and exception placeholders
• Asks Socratic questions such as what the rule is or which case the professor used
• Flags gaps with a [GAP] marker and points out thin or confused spots
• If you extend an existing outline, it matches that outline's structure exactly

Install the outline-builder skill

Download the ZIP for the skill from this page. The package contains a single file, SKILL.md. Unzip it into one of these locations:

You can install it for yourself across all projects by unzipping it into ~/.claude/skills/. Or you can install it for one project by unzipping it into that project's .claude/skills/ folder.

If you use the Claude apps instead of a terminal, you can upload the skill under Settings → Capabilities → Skills.

• Personal install: ~/.claude/skills/
• Project install: the .claude/skills/ folder inside your project
• Claude apps: Settings → Capabilities → Skills, then upload

Set up your optional preferences file

The skill can read a configuration file at ~/.claude/plugins/config/claude-for-legal/law-student/CLAUDE.md. This file is optional. It can hold your outline format preferences, depth preferences and the location of existing outlines. The skill loads this file first, then applies its workflow.

If you have no such file, the skill still works, but it cannot match a format or find existing outlines automatically. You can point it at your material in the conversation instead.

• Outline format preferences
• Depth preferences
• Location of existing outlines
• Seed materials list, if you keep one

How to trigger the skill with natural requests

The skill is meant to be triggered by plain requests. According to its description, these phrases fit: "outline [subject]", "add to my outline", "build an outline from", or pointing the agent at class materials. You can also use its argument hint, which asks for a subject or a reference to your class notes or casebook section.

Be specific about your source. The skill works from what you provide, so a request that names your notes or a casebook section gives it something to build from.

• "Outline Contracts. Start with the topic headings from my syllabus."
• "Add to my outline: the next section on consideration, using my class notes."
• "Build an outline from these casebook pages on negligence."
• Point the agent at a class notes file or casebook section and say "outline this"

Work through a session: what you do and what the skill does

Start by telling the skill what you are building from: class notes, casebook sections, case briefs, a syllabus or a partial outline you are extending. The skill then builds the scaffold first. Expect headings, sub-headings, case slots and exception placeholders, with no populated rules yet.

As you fill in each topic, the skill asks questions such as what the rule is, which case the professor used, and what exception the casebook hinted at. Paste your notes or the relevant text, and the skill places the rules you provided into the scaffold. Where a topic has no source material, you will see a [GAP] marker, and the skill will prompt you to go back to your notes.

• Scaffold first: topics, sub-topics, case slots, exception placeholders
• Socratic questions on each topic while you build
• Verbatim integration of rules you paste in
• [GAP] markers where source material is missing
• Flags on thin or confused spots

Choose an outline format the skill will match

The skill builds in your format. It describes three common styles: a traditional roman-numeral outline, a rules-only list for bar-prep style study, and a flowchart-style layout that tests elements in sequence. If you already have an outline, the skill copies its structure, headings, depth, case integration and hypos.

If you are starting fresh, tell the skill which format you prefer, or let it follow the syllabus structure.

• Traditional outline: I., A., 1., a.
• Rules-only: topic headings with rule and exception bullets
• Flowchart-adjacent: element-by-element yes/no branching

Safety notes: scripts and network access

The source describes this skill as not running scripts and not using the network. It reads files and text you provide in the session and the optional configuration file. Because it follows the instructions in SKILL.md, you should still read the file before installing any skill.

The skill does not verify rules against current law. It only uses what you provide. If the skill is missing a rule, it marks a gap rather than checking an outside source.

• Runs scripts: no
• Uses network: no
• Does not verify rules against current law
• Relies only on material you provide

Tips for getting the most out of it

Build the outline from your own notes and casebook, not from memory. The skill is designed so that the learning comes from the building. When a gap appears, go back to your source rather than asking the skill to fill it.

If you catch the skill or your draft disagreeing with your own notes, the skill is designed to quote your materials back to you and ask which is right. Use that as a check on your own work.

• Give it the syllabus first to get the structure right
• Paste the exact casebook text or notes for each topic
• Treat [GAP] markers as a to-do list for your next study session
• Keep your preferences file current so new sections match your format