# โก Ultra-Sharp Agent Skills
### A research-first skill-authoring system + 72 production-ready skills for AI agents
[](#-the-collections)
[](#-the-collections)
[](#-quality-gate)
[](https://agentskills.io)
[](RESEARCH-SYNTHESIS.md)
[](VALIDATION-REPORT.md)
[](tools/validate_skills.py)
[](https://code.claude.com)
[](mailto:contact@spboucher.ai)
*Every skill: a trigger-optimized description, one default per decision, a validation-loop workflow,*
*and pairwise-exclusive boundaries so no request ever fires two skills.*
---
## ๐งญ What is this?
**Skills** are folders of instructions (`SKILL.md` + resources) that AI agents load on demand.
This repository was built in two phases, per [CLAUDE.md](CLAUDE.md):
1. ๐ฌ **Research** โ 20+ primary-source searches & fetches (Anthropic docs, `anthropics/skills`, engineering blogs, eval guides) distilled into **[RESEARCH-SYNTHESIS.md](RESEARCH-SYNTHESIS.md)**: 15 core principles, the **Sharp Skill Checklist**, and the ideal SKILL.md template.
2. ๐ก๏ธ **Build** โ 72 skills across 7 collections, each mechanically verified by a custom linter and validated with positive **and negative** trigger tests ([VALIDATION-REPORT.md](VALIDATION-REPORT.md)).
## ๐ Quickstart
```bash
# install any skill into Claude Code (personal scope)
cp -r doc-skills/processing-pdf ~/.claude/skills/
# or project scope
cp -r backend-skills/designing-rest-apis .claude/skills/
# verify the whole repo (stdlib only, no dependencies)
python3 tools/validate_skills.py .
# checked 72 skill(s)
# all checks passed
```
---
## ๐ The Collections
### ๐ doc-skills โ Document Processing 
Create / read / modify every major document type. One default library per operation, re-parse validation after every write.
| Skill | What it does |
|---|---|
| ๐ [`processing-xlsx`](doc-skills/processing-xlsx/) | Excel workbooks with openpyxl โ values, formulas, formatting, multi-sheet |
| ๐ [`processing-docx`](doc-skills/processing-docx/) | Word documents with python-docx โ paragraphs, tables, styles + pandoc reading |
| ๐๏ธ [`processing-pptx`](doc-skills/processing-pptx/) | PowerPoint decks with python-pptx โ slides, layouts, tables, charts |
| ๐ [`processing-pdf`](doc-skills/processing-pdf/) | Extract text/tables, create, merge, split, watermark, encrypt, fill forms |
| ๐งพ [`processing-json`](doc-skills/processing-json/) | Create, modify, validate, and query JSON / JSON Lines |
| ๐๏ธ [`processing-csv`](doc-skills/processing-csv/) | CSV/TSV create, edit, convert to/from JSON |
| ๐ท๏ธ [`processing-xml`](doc-skills/processing-xml/) | XML create, edit, validate, XPath queries โ namespace-safe |
| โ๏ธ [`processing-yaml`](doc-skills/processing-yaml/) | YAML configs โ safe_load discipline, round-trip edits, Norway-problem proof |
| โ๏ธ [`processing-markdown`](doc-skills/processing-markdown/) | Markdown create, restructure, convert via pandoc |
| ๐ [`processing-html`](doc-skills/processing-html/) | Local HTML โ extract text/tables/links, edit with BeautifulSoup |
### ๐จ frontend-skills โ Frontend Design 
Grounded in Anthropic's `frontend-design` skill + 2026 standards (WCAG 2.2 AA ยท LCP โค2.5s ยท INP โค200ms ยท CLS โค0.1).
| Skill | What it does |
|---|---|
| ๐๏ธ [`structuring-semantic-html`](frontend-skills/structuring-semantic-html/) | Landmarks, heading hierarchy, meaning-bearing markup, SEO/OG meta |
| ๐ [`designing-responsive-layouts`](frontend-skills/designing-responsive-layouts/) | Mobile-first flexbox/grid, container queries, clamp() fluid sizing |
| ๐จ [`theming-design-tokens`](frontend-skills/theming-design-tokens/) | Token tiers, dark mode, spacing scales, contrast-safe palettes |
| ๐ค [`choosing-typography`](frontend-skills/choosing-typography/) | Typeface pairing per brief, modular scales, font loading |
| โฟ [`ensuring-accessibility`](frontend-skills/ensuring-accessibility/) | WCAG 2.2 AA audits โ keyboard, focus, ARIA, contrast, targets |
| โจ [`crafting-ui-animations`](frontend-skills/crafting-ui-animations/) | Purposeful motion, transform/opacity only, reduced-motion always |
| ๐งพ [`designing-forms`](frontend-skills/designing-forms/) | Labels, validation timing, error states, multi-step patterns |
| โ๏ธ [`building-react-components`](frontend-skills/building-react-components/) | Props APIs, composition, state placement, hooks |
| ๐ [`optimizing-web-performance`](frontend-skills/optimizing-web-performance/) | Core Web Vitals budgets โ images, fonts, splitting, measurement |
| ๐ฏ [`creating-landing-pages`](frontend-skills/creating-landing-pages/) | Hero thesis, CTA rhythm, one signature element, benefit-first copy |
### ๐๏ธ db-skills โ Database Management 
PostgreSQL-first with MySQL/SQLite deviations noted. Measure before changing anything.
| Skill | What it does |
|---|---|
| ๐ [`writing-sql-queries`](db-skills/writing-sql-queries/) | Correct, readable, injection-safe SQL โ CTEs, window functions, NULL traps |
| ๐ [`designing-database-schemas`](db-skills/designing-database-schemas/) | 3NF-first modeling, keys, types, constraints, naming |
| โก [`optimizing-sql-performance`](db-skills/optimizing-sql-performance/) | EXPLAIN ANALYZE, indexing strategy, N+1, keyset pagination |
| ๐ [`managing-database-migrations`](db-skills/managing-database-migrations/) | Versioned, immutable, reversible; zero-downtime expandโcontract |
| ๐พ [`backing-up-databases`](db-skills/backing-up-databases/) | Scheduled backups, PITR, 3-2-1 rule, restore drills |
| ๐ [`securing-databases`](db-skills/securing-databases/) | Least-privilege roles, parameterized-only queries, TLS, RLS, auditing |
| ๐ [`administering-postgresql`](db-skills/administering-postgresql/) | Roles, config knobs with starting values, autovacuum, monitoring |
| ๐ชถ [`managing-sqlite`](db-skills/managing-sqlite/) | WAL mode, pragmas, bulk-insert transactions, safe backups |
| ๐ฆ [`modeling-nosql-data`](db-skills/modeling-nosql-data/) | Access-pattern-first design, embed vs reference, Redis key design |
| ๐จ [`troubleshooting-databases`](db-skills/troubleshooting-databases/) | 5-stage incident triage runbook with the exact query per stage |
### ๐ง backend-skills โ Backend Development 
| Skill | What it does |
|---|---|
| ๐ฃ๏ธ [`designing-rest-apis`](backend-skills/designing-rest-apis/) | Resources, status codes, pagination, versioning, problem+json, OpenAPI |
| ๐ธ๏ธ [`designing-graphql-apis`](backend-skills/designing-graphql-apis/) | Schema-first, DataLoader vs N+1, cursor connections, complexity limits |
| ๐ก [`designing-webhooks`](backend-skills/designing-webhooks/) | HMAC signing, backoff retries, idempotent delivery, DLQ |
| ๐ค [`handling-file-uploads`](backend-skills/handling-file-uploads/) | Presigned URLs, magic-byte validation, streaming, resumable uploads |
| ๐ [`implementing-authentication`](backend-skills/implementing-authentication/) | argon2id, sessions vs JWT, OAuth2/OIDC + PKCE, MFA, safe resets |
| ๐ [`implementing-authorization`](backend-skills/implementing-authorization/) | RBAC/ABAC, deny-by-default, IDOR prevention, tenant isolation |
| ๐งฐ [`validating-input`](backend-skills/validating-input/) | Boundary schemas, allowlists, canonicalization, structured 422s |
| ๐ก๏ธ [`securing-backend-services`](backend-skills/securing-backend-services/) | Security headers, TLS, secrets, SSRF/CSRF defenses, safe errors |
| ๐ฅ [`handling-errors`](backend-skills/handling-errors/) | Error taxonomy, problem+json, retries with jitter, circuit breakers |
| ๐ญ [`instrumenting-observability`](backend-skills/instrumenting-observability/) | Structured logs, correlation IDs, RED metrics, OpenTelemetry |
| ๐งช [`testing-backend-services`](backend-skills/testing-backend-services/) | Test pyramid, testcontainers, contract tests, zero flake |
| ๐๏ธ [`managing-configuration`](backend-skills/managing-configuration/) | 12-factor env config, typed startup validation, secret separation |
| โณ [`writing-background-jobs`](backend-skills/writing-background-jobs/) | Idempotent jobs, backoff, DLQ, timeouts, queue observability |
| ๐จ [`handling-async-messaging`](backend-skills/handling-async-messaging/) | Transactional outbox, idempotent consumers, schema versioning |
| ๐๏ธ [`caching-strategies`](backend-skills/caching-strategies/) | Cache-aside, TTL discipline, invalidation, stampede protection |
| ๐ฆ [`limiting-request-rates`](backend-skills/limiting-request-rates/) | Token bucket, 429 + Retry-After, tiered limits, load shedding |
| ๐ณ [`containerizing-services`](backend-skills/containerizing-services/) | Multi-stage builds, non-root, pinned images, healthchecks |
| ๐ข [`shipping-with-ci-cd`](backend-skills/shipping-with-ci-cd/) | Build-once promotion, canary/blue-green, automated rollback |
| ๐งฉ [`architecting-service-boundaries`](backend-skills/architecting-service-boundaries/) | Modular monolith default, data ownership, sagas, strangler |
| ๐ [`scaling-backend-services`](backend-skills/scaling-backend-services/) | Statelessness, pooling, load balancing, autoscaling on the right metric |
### โ๏ธ writing-skills โ Writing 
Stylistic skills: every rule ships with a โ
/โ pair; every workflow ends in a self-review pass.
| Skill | What it does |
|---|---|
| ๐ [`writing-technical-documentation`](writing-skills/writing-technical-documentation/) | READMEs, architecture docs, runbooks โ quickstart first, scannable |
| ๐ [`writing-api-documentation`](writing-skills/writing-api-documentation/) | Endpoint reference with runnable examples, errors documented like successes |
| ๐งโ๐ซ [`writing-tutorials`](writing-skills/writing-tutorials/) | Step-by-step guides โ every step has a verifiable checkpoint |
| ๐ฐ [`writing-blog-posts`](writing-skills/writing-blog-posts/) | One specific claim, a real hook, real code and numbers |
| ๐ค [`writing-agent-skills`](writing-skills/writing-agent-skills/) | **The meta-skill** โ author SKILL.md files with the Sharp Skill method |
| ๐ง [`writing-professional-emails`](writing-skills/writing-professional-emails/) | Ask-first structure, decision-ready subject lines |
| ๐ [`writing-executive-summaries`](writing-skills/writing-executive-summaries/) | BLUF, one page, numbers over adjectives, a clear pick |
| ๐ค [`writing-proposals`](writing-skills/writing-proposals/) | Their problem first, scope exclusions, tiered pricing |
| ๐๏ธ [`writing-meeting-notes`](writing-skills/writing-meeting-notes/) | Decisions & actions first, every action has owner + deadline |
| ๐ช [`editing-and-proofreading`](writing-skills/editing-and-proofreading/) | Four fixed passes: structure โ paragraphs โ sentences โ mechanics |
### ๐ฐ finance-skills โ US/Canada Tax & Accounting 
๐บ๐ธ ๐จ๐ฆ Tax-year-2026 figures with official verification sources. **Educational, legal planning only** โ every skill refuses evasion and refers complex cases to a CPA.
| Skill | What it does |
|---|---|
| ๐งพ [`preparing-us-personal-tax-returns`](finance-skills/preparing-us-personal-tax-returns/) | Form 1040 โ documents, schedules, deadlines, safe harbors |
| ๐ [`preparing-canadian-personal-tax-returns`](finance-skills/preparing-canadian-personal-tax-returns/) | T1 โ slips, deductions vs credits, NETFILE, instalments |
| ๐ธ [`optimizing-us-personal-taxes`](finance-skills/optimizing-us-personal-taxes/) | 401(k)/IRA/HSA priority, Roth decisions, loss harvesting, bunching |
| ๐จ๐ฆ [`optimizing-canadian-personal-taxes`](finance-skills/optimizing-canadian-personal-taxes/) | RRSP vs TFSA vs FHSA, legal splitting, superficial-loss rule |
| ๐ [`handling-cross-border-taxation`](finance-skills/handling-cross-border-taxation/) | Residency tests, treaty tie-breakers, FBAR/8938, TFSA-for-US-persons trap |
| ๐ [`bookkeeping-for-small-businesses`](finance-skills/bookkeeping-for-small-businesses/) | Double-entry, chart of accounts, monthly close, reconciliation |
| ๐ [`preparing-financial-statements`](finance-skills/preparing-financial-statements/) | Income statement, balance sheet, cash flow โ with cross-statement ties |
| ๐ข [`filing-us-business-taxes`](finance-skills/filing-us-business-taxes/) | Schedule C / 1065 / 1120-S / 1120, estimated taxes, payroll, 1099s |
| ๐ฌ [`filing-canadian-business-taxes`](finance-skills/filing-canadian-business-taxes/) | T2125, T2, GST/HST, payroll remittances, T4/T5 |
| ๐งฎ [`optimizing-business-taxes`](finance-skills/optimizing-business-taxes/) | S-corp analysis (US) ยท SBD protection, salary vs dividends (Canada) |
### ๐
The founding examples 
| Skill | What it does |
|---|---|
| ๐ฌ [`skill-1-profiling-csv-data`](skill-1-profiling-csv-data/) | Deterministic domain โ CSV data-quality reports via a bundled stdlib script (executed & verified) |
| ๐ฃ [`skill-2-writing-release-notes`](skill-2-writing-release-notes/) | Stylistic domain โ benefit-first release notes with do/never examples |
---
## โ
Quality Gate
[`tools/validate_skills.py`](tools/validate_skills.py) (stdlib-only) mechanically enforces the Sharp Skill Checklist on every skill: valid frontmatter ยท name rules (โค64 chars, charset, reserved words, folder match) ยท description rules (โค1024 chars, literal "Use when โฆ" trigger clause, "Do not use โฆ" boundary, third person, no XML tags) ยท author header in every file ยท body โค500 lines ยท zero broken reference links ยท forward-slash paths only.
## ๐งฌ Design invariants (all 72 skills)
1. ๐ฏ **Description = trigger** โ WHAT + literal "Use when โฆ" phrases + "Do not use โฆ" boundary
2. ๐งฑ **Pairwise-exclusive boundaries** per collection โ no request can plausibly fire two skills
3. 1๏ธโฃ **One default per decision**, escape hatch named with its install command
4. ๐ **Every workflow ends with a validation step** โ malformed input is reported, never guessed around
5. ๐ช **Progressive disclosure** โ lean SKILL.md, depth one level deep in `references/` with a TOC
## ๐ Repository map
```text
.
โโโ RESEARCH-SYNTHESIS.md # the method: 15 principles + Sharp Skill Checklist + template
โโโ VALIDATION-REPORT.md # trigger tests, execution evidence, checklist results
โโโ skill-1-profiling-csv-data/ skill-2-writing-release-notes/
โโโ doc-skills/ (10) โโโ frontend-skills/ (10) โโโ db-skills/ (10)
โโโ backend-skills/ (20) โโโ writing-skills/ (10) โโโ finance-skills/ (10)
โโโ tools/validate_skills.py # the quality gate
โโโ validation/ # fixtures + real outputs
```
**Author:** Simon-Pierre Boucher ยท **Contact:** [contact@spboucher.ai](mailto:contact@spboucher.ai)
*Built research-first with [Claude Code](https://claude.com/claude-code) โ every figure sourced, every skill linted, every trigger tested.*