Intro in this page language first. The official description stays in its original wording; we do not rewrite SKILL.md.
What it does
Prompt for generating an AGENTS.md file for a repository
When to use it
The official description does not include a separate “Use when”. Per the spec, agents activate this skill when the task matches keywords in that description.
How agents load it
Per Agent Skills progressive disclosure: name and description load at startup (~100 tokens); the full SKILL.md body loads when the skill activates; scripts/, references/, and assets/ load only as needed. This file's sections: Create high‑quality AGENTS.md file; What is AGENTS.md?; Key Principles; File Structure and Content Guidelines; 1. Required Setup; 2. Essential Sections to Include. It includes spec-recommended sections: step-by-step instructions, input/output examples.
File analysis
File analysis: instruction-only skill (SKILL.md). The agent loads the full body when activated.
Create high‑quality AGENTS.md fileWhat is AGENTS.md?Key PrinciplesFile Structure and Content Guidelines1. Required Setup2. Essential Sections to Include3. Optional but Recommended SectionsExample TemplateAGENTS.mdProject OverviewSetup CommandsDevelopment Workflow
Choose the target agent and installation scope, keep referenced package files, then verify the skill appears in the client's catalog.
Ask your Agent to install
Copy these instructions to a compatible agent and confirm the target directory matches your client.
Install the agent skill "create-agentsmd" into my project. The full SKILL.md and official description are at https://zicq.com/en/skills/skl-114fc37c1bc11d15-Create-Agentsmd.html
Save it as .cursor/skills/create-agentsmd/SKILL.md or .claude/skills/create-agentsmd/SKILL.md and keep the frontmatter name and description exactly as-is.
The CLI lets you choose the agent interactively. The default scope is the project; use -g for user scope. Confirm package availability with the discovery command, then use npx skills list to inspect installed skills.
Readable layout
---
name: create-agentsmd
description: 'Prompt for generating an AGENTS.md file for a repository'
---
# Create high‑quality AGENTS.md file
You are a code agent. Your task is to create a complete, accurate AGENTS.md at the root of this repository that follows the public guidance at https://agents.md/.
AGENTS.md is an open format designed to provide coding agents with the context and instructions they need to work effectively on a project.
## What is AGENTS.md?
AGENTS.md is a Markdown file that serves as a "README for agents" - a dedicated, predictable place to provide context and instructions to help AI coding agents work on your project. It complements README.md by containing detailed technical context that coding agents need but might clutter a human-focused README.
## Key Principles
- **Agent-focused**: Contains detailed technical instructions for automated tools
- **Complements README.md**: Doesn't replace human documentation but adds agent-specific context
- **Standardized location**: Placed at repository root (or subproject roots for monorepos)
- **Open format**: Uses standard Markdown with flexible structure
- **Ecosystem compatibility**: Works across 20+ different AI coding tools and agents
## File Structure and Content Guidelines
### 1. Required Setup
- Create the file as `AGENTS.md` in the repository root
- Use standard Markdown formatting
- No required fields - flexible structure based on project needs
### 2. Essential Sections to Include
#### Project Overview
- Brief description of what the project does
- Architecture overview if complex
- Key technologies and frameworks used
#### Setup Commands
- Installation instructions
- Environment setup steps
- Dependency management commands
- Database setup if applicable
#### Development Workflow
- How to start development server
- Build commands
- Watch/hot-reload setup
- Package manager specifics (npm, pnpm, yarn, etc.)
#### Testing Instructions
- How to run tests (unit, integration, e2e)
- Test file locations and naming conventions
- Coverage requirements
- Specific test patterns or frameworks used
- How to run subset of tests or focus on specific areas
#### Code Style Guidelines
- Language-specific conventions
- Linting and formatting rules
- File organization patterns
- Naming conventions
- Import/export patterns
#### Build and Deployment
- Build commands and outputs
- Environment configurations
- Deployment steps and requirements
- CI/CD pipeline information
### 3. Optional but Recommended Sections
#### Security Considerations
- Security testing requirements
- Secrets management
- Authentication patterns
- Permission models
#### Monorepo Instructions (if applicable)
- How to work with multiple packages
- Cross-package dependencies
- Selective building/testing
- Package-specific commands
#### Pull Request Guidelines
- Title format requirements
- Required checks before submission
- Review process
- Commit message conventions
#### Debugging and Troubleshooting
- Common issues and solutions
- Logging patterns
- Debug configuration
- Performance considerations
## Example Template
Use this as a starting template and customize based on the specific project:
```markdown
# AGENTS.md
## Project Overview
[Brief description of the project, its purpose, and key technologies]
## Setup Commands
- Install dependencies: `[package manager] install`
- Start development server: `[command]`
- Build for production: `[command]`
## Development Workflow
- [Development server startup instructions]
- [Hot reload/watch mode information]
- [Environment variable setup]
## Testing Instructions
- Run all tests: `[command]`
- Run unit tests: `[command]`
- Run integration tests: `[command]`
- Test coverage: `[command]`
- [Specific testing patterns or requirements]
## Code Style
- [Language and framework conventions]
- [Linting rules and commands]
- [Formatting requirements]
- [File organization patterns]
## Build and Deployment
- [Build process details]
- [Output directories]
- [Environment-specific builds]
- [Deployment commands]
## Pull Request Guidelines
- Title format: [component] Brief description
- Required checks: `[lint command]`, `[test command]`
- [Review requirements]
## Additional Notes
- [Any project-specific context]
- [Common gotchas or troubleshooting tips]
- [Performance considerations]
```
## Working Example from agents.md
Here's a real example from the agents.md website:
```markdown
# Sample AGENTS.md file
## Dev environment tips
- Use `pnpm dlx turbo run where ` to jump to a package instead of scanning with `ls`.
- Run `pnpm install --filter ` to add the package to your workspace so Vite, ESLint, and TypeScript can see it.
- Use `pnpm create vite@latest -- --template react-ts` to spin up a new React + Vite package with TypeScript checks ready.
- Check the name field inside each package's package.json to confirm the right name—skip the top-level one.
## Testing instructions
- Find the CI plan in the .github/workflows folder.
- Run `pnpm turbo run test --filter ` to run every check defined for that package.
- From the package root you can just call `pnpm test`. The commit should pass all tests before you merge.
- To focus on one step, add the Vitest pattern: `pnpm vitest run -t ""`.
- Fix any test or type errors until the whole suite is green.
- After moving files or changing imports, run `pnpm lint --filter ` to be sure ESLint and TypeScript rules still pass.
- Add or update tests for the code you change, even if nobody asked.
## PR instructions
- Title format: []