Microsoft Skill Creator

Microsoft Skill Creator

Create hybrid skills for Microsoft technologies that store essential knowledge locally while enabling dynamic Learn MCP lookups for deeper details.

About Skills

Skills are modular packages that extend agent capabilities with specialized knowledge and workflows. A skill transforms a general-purpose agent into a specialized one for a specific domain.

Skill Structure

skill-name/ ├── SKILL.md (required) # Frontmatter (name, description) + instructions ├── references/ # Documentation loaded into context as needed ├── sample_codes/ # Working code examples └── assets/ # Files used in output (templates, etc.)

Key Principles

Frontmatter is critical: name and description determine when the skill triggers—be clear and comprehensive Concise is key: Only include what agents don't already know; context window is shared No duplication: Information lives in SKILL.md OR reference files, not both

Learn MCP Tools

ToolPurposeWhen to Usemicrosoft_docs_searchSearch official docsFirst pass discovery, finding topicsmicrosoft_docs_fetchGet full page contentDeep dive into important pagesmicrosoft_code_sample_searchFind code examplesGet implementation patterns

CLI Alternative

If the Learn MCP server is not available, use the mslearn CLI from the command line instead: # Run directly (no install needed) npx @microsoft/learn-cli search "semantic kernel overview" # Or install globally, then run npm install -g @microsoft/learn-cli mslearn search "semantic kernel overview" MCP ToolCLI Commandmicrosoft_docs_search(query: "...")mslearn search "..."microsoft_code_sample_search(query: "...", language: "...")mslearn code-search "..." --language ...microsoft_docs_fetch(url: "...")mslearn fetch "..." Generated skills should include this same CLI fallback table so agents can use either path.

Step 1: Investigate the Topic

Build deep understanding using Learn MCP tools in three phases: Phase 1 - Scope Discovery: microsoft_docs_search(query="{technology} overview what is") microsoft_docs_search(query="{technology} concepts architecture") microsoft_docs_search(query="{technology} getting started tutorial") Phase 2 - Core Content: microsoft_docs_fetch(url="...") # Fetch pages from Phase 1 microsoft_code_sample_search(query="{technology}", language="{lang}") Phase 3 - Depth: microsoft_docs_search(query="{technology} best practices") microsoft_docs_search(query="{technology} troubleshooting errors") Investigation Checklist After investigating, verify: Can explain what the technology does in one paragraph Identified 3-5 key concepts Have working code for basic usage Know the most common API patterns Have search queries for deeper topics

Step 2: Clarify with User

Present findings and ask: "I found these key areas: [list]. Which are most important?" "What tasks will agents primarily perform with this skill?" "Which programming language should code samples prioritize?"

Step 3: Generate the Skill

Use the appropriate template from skill-templates.md: Technology TypeTemplateClient library, NuGet/npm packageSDK/LibraryAzure resourceAzure ServiceApp development frameworkFramework/PlatformREST API, protocolAPI/Protocol Generated Skill Structure {skill-name}/ ├── SKILL.md # Core knowledge + Learn MCP guidance ├── references/ # Detailed local documentation (if needed) └── sample_codes/ # Working code examples ├── getting-started/ └── common-patterns/

Step 4: Balance Local vs Dynamic Content

Store locally when: Foundational (needed for any task) Frequently accessed Stable (won't change) Hard to find via search Keep dynamic when: Exhaustive reference (too large) Version-specific Situational (specific tasks only) Well-indexed (easy to search) Content Guidelines Content TypeLocalDynamicCore concepts (3-5)✅ FullHello world code✅ FullCommon patterns (3-5)✅ FullTop API methodsSignature + exampleFull docs via fetchBest practicesTop 5 bulletsSearch for moreTroubleshootingSearch queriesFull API referenceDoc links

Step 5: Validate

Review: Is local content sufficient for common tasks? Test: Do suggested search queries return useful results? Verify: Do code samples run without errors?

For SDKs/Libraries

"{name} overview" → purpose, architecture "{name} getting started quickstart" → setup steps "{name} API reference" → core classes/methods "{name} samples examples" → code patterns "{name} best practices performance" → optimization

For Azure Services

"{service} overview features" → capabilities "{service} quickstart {language}" → setup code "{service} REST API reference" → endpoints "{service} SDK {language}" → client library "{service} pricing limits quotas" → constraints

For Frameworks/Platforms

"{framework} architecture concepts" → mental model "{framework} project structure" → conventions "{framework} tutorial walkthrough" → end-to-end flow "{framework} configuration options" → customization

Investigation

microsoft_docs_search(query="semantic kernel overview") microsoft_docs_search(query="semantic kernel plugins functions") microsoft_code_sample_search(query="semantic kernel", language="csharp") microsoft_docs_fetch(url="https://learn.microsoft.com/semantic-kernel/overview/")

Generated Skill

semantic-kernel/ ├── SKILL.md └── sample_codes/ ├── getting-started/ │ └── hello-kernel.cs └── common-patterns/ ├── chat-completion.cs └── function-calling.cs

Generated SKILL.md

• ---
• name: semantic-kernel
• description: Build AI agents with Microsoft Semantic Kernel. Use for LLM-powered apps with plugins, planners, and memory in .NET or Python.
• ---
• # Semantic Kernel
• Orchestration SDK for integrating LLMs into applications with plugins, planners, and memory.
• ## Key Concepts
• **Kernel**: Central orchestrator managing AI services and plugins
• **Plugins**: Collections of functions the AI can call
• **Planner**: Sequences plugin functions to achieve goals
• **Memory**: Vector store integration for RAG patterns
• ## Quick Start
• See [getting-started/hello-kernel.cs](sample_codes/getting-started/hello-kernel.cs)
• ## Learn More
• | Topic | How to Find |
• |-------|-------------|
• | Plugin development | `microsoft_docs_search(query="semantic kernel plugins custom functions")` |
• | Planners | `microsoft_docs_search(query="semantic kernel planner")` |
• | Memory | `microsoft_docs_fetch(url="https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/semantic-kernel/frameworks/agent/agent-memory")` |
• ## CLI Alternative
• If the Learn MCP server is not available, use the `mslearn` CLI instead:
• | MCP Tool | CLI Command |
• |----------|-------------|
• | `microsoft_docs_search(query: "...")` | `mslearn search "..."` |
• | `microsoft_code_sample_search(query: "...", language: "...")` | `mslearn code-search "..." --language ...` |
• | `microsoft_docs_fetch(url: "...")` | `mslearn fetch "..."` |
• Run directly with `npx @microsoft/learn-cli <command>` or install globally with `npm install -g @microsoft/learn-cli`.