What it means
A SKILL.md file documents when to use a capability, required inputs, output format, and guardrails so agents follow the same workflow every time.
Why designers should care
Skills turn one-off prompt hacks into durable product behavior: critique rubrics, accessibility checks, handoff specs, and brand rules that survive team turnover.
Example
A team installs a Frontend Design SKILL.md; Cursor applies layout, typography, and component rules on every UI task without the designer rewriting instructions.
Common mistakes
- Skills that are too vague to change agent behavior measurably.
- Duplicating the same rules across five skills with no single source of truth.
- No version note when a skill update changes output format designers depend on.
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Frequently asked questions
What is SKILL.md?
SKILL.md is a markdown file that teaches coding agents (Cursor, Claude Code, Codex) how to behave on repeatable tasks: rules, steps, and quality bars teams install once.
Why should designers care about SKILL.md?
Skills turn one-off prompt hacks into durable product behavior: critique rubrics, accessibility checks, handoff specs, and brand rules that survive team turnover.
What are common mistakes with SKILL.md?
Skills that are too vague to change agent behavior measurably; Duplicating the same rules across five skills with no single source of truth; No version note when a skill update changes output format designers depend on.