What are Claude Code Skills?

Claude Code Skills are reusable prompt templates stored as markdown files in your project's .claude/skills/ directory. They let you codify best practices and common workflows into slash commands that Claude follows consistently.

How do I create a Claude Code Skill?

Create a markdown file in .claude/skills/ with instructions for Claude. The filename becomes the command name — for example, .claude/skills/code-review.md can be invoked with /code-review during a Claude Code session.

Can I share skills with my team?

Yes. Skills stored in .claude/skills/ can be committed to version control so every team member has access to the same standardized workflows. You can also organize skills into subdirectories by category.

What is the difference between project and global skills?

Project skills (.claude/skills/) are specific to the current project and are committed to git. Global skills (~/.claude/skills/) are personal skills available across all your projects.

author-toolkit

New

2Community RegistryDevelopmentby rhavekost

Writing skills for fiction and narrative nonfiction authors

Community PluginView Source

Overview

A Claude Code plugin with specialized skills for fiction and narrative nonfiction authors.

Skills Included

Fiction Workshop

Collaborative fiction writing and editing with 5 editorial personas:

•Developmental Editor - Plot, pacing, structure, stakes
•Line Editor - Prose rhythm, word choice, "show don't tell"
•Character Consultant - Voice consistency, motivation, arc
•Continuity Tracker - Timeline, world facts, internal consistency
•Brainstorm Partner - "What if" exploration, problem-solving

Includes genre-specific guides for:

•Spy thrillers (tradecraft, tension, moral complexity)
•Hard sci-fi (technical accuracy, worldbuilding, geopolitics)

Narrative Nonfiction

For self-help and prescriptive nonfiction with storytelling elements:

•Transformation Arc - Reader journey design
•Metaphor Consistency - Extended metaphor management
•Exercise Design - Practical application sections
•Reveal Engineering - Twist/reframe setup and payoff
•Voice Editing - Tone and persona consistency

Installation

Direct from GitHub

bash

/plugin install github:rhavekost/author-toolkit

For Team Projects

Add to .claude/settings.json:

json

{
  "enabledPlugins": [
    "github:rhavekost/author-toolkit"
  ]
}

Usage

Invoke skills directly:

bash

/author-toolkit:fiction-workshop
/author-toolkit:narrative-nonfiction

Once activated, work with the editorial personas:

code

# Fiction
"As developmental editor, analyze Chapter 3"
"As line editor, polish this dialogue"
"Brainstorm mode—I need to solve [plot problem]"

# Nonfiction
"Help me design the transformation arc for my self-help book"
"Check metaphor consistency in chapters 4-8"
"Engineer the reveal for chapter 16"

Quick Reference

Need	Invoke Skill	Then Say
Fiction writing/editing	`/author-toolkit:fiction-workshop`	"Let's build a story bible" or "As developmental editor, analyze Chapter 3"
Developmental pass	`/author-toolkit:fiction-workshop`	"As developmental editor, analyze [chapter]"
Line editing	`/author-toolkit:fiction-workshop`	"As line editor, polish [scene]"
Character work	`/author-toolkit:fiction-workshop`	"As character consultant, is this in character?"
Continuity check	`/author-toolkit:fiction-workshop`	"As continuity tracker, check for inconsistencies"
Get unstuck	`/author-toolkit:fiction-workshop`	"Brainstorm mode—I need to [solve problem]"
Nonfiction writing	`/author-toolkit:narrative-nonfiction`	"Let's build a blueprint for [book]"
Reader journey	`/author-toolkit:narrative-nonfiction`	"Design the transformation arc"
Metaphor consistency	`/author-toolkit:narrative-nonfiction`	"Check metaphor consistency in chapters 4-8"
Exercise design	`/author-toolkit:narrative-nonfiction`	"Design exercises for [concept]"

License

MIT

Install & Usage

Create the skills directory

mkdir -p .claude/skills

Download the skill file

mkdir -p .claude/skills && curl -o .claude/skills/author-toolkit.md https://raw.githubusercontent.com/rhavekost/author-toolkit/main/SKILL.md

Invoke in Claude Code

/author-toolkit

View source on GitHub

Frequently Asked Questions

What is author-toolkit?

Writing skills for fiction and narrative nonfiction authors

How to install author-toolkit?

To install author-toolkit, create the .claude/skills directory in your project, then run the curl command to download the skill file. Once installed, invoke it in Claude Code with /author-toolkit.

What is author-toolkit best for?

author-toolkit is a community categorized under Development. Created by rhavekost.