spb/ultra-sharp-agent-skills Public
Ultra-Sharp Agent Skills — a research-first skill-authoring system + 72 production-ready skills for AI agents.
Python 100%
1<!--2Author: Simon-Pierre Boucher3Contact: contact@spboucher.ai4-->56<div align="center">78# ⚡ Ultra-Sharp Agent Skills910### A research-first skill-authoring system + 72 production-ready skills for AI agents1112[](#-the-collections)13[](#-the-collections)14[](#-quality-gate)15[](https://agentskills.io)1617[](RESEARCH-SYNTHESIS.md)18[](VALIDATION-REPORT.md)19[](tools/validate_skills.py)20[](https://code.claude.com)21[](mailto:contact@spboucher.ai)2223*Every skill: a trigger-optimized description, one default per decision, a validation-loop workflow,*24*and pairwise-exclusive boundaries so no request ever fires two skills.*2526</div>2728---2930## 🧭 What is this?3132**Skills** are folders of instructions (`SKILL.md` + resources) that AI agents load on demand.33This repository was built in two phases, per [CLAUDE.md](CLAUDE.md):34351. 🔬 **Research** — 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.362. 🗡️ **Build** — 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)).3738## 🚀 Quickstart3940```bash41# install any skill into Claude Code (personal scope)42cp -r doc-skills/processing-pdf ~/.claude/skills/4344# or project scope45cp -r backend-skills/designing-rest-apis .claude/skills/4647# verify the whole repo (stdlib only, no dependencies)48python3 tools/validate_skills.py .49# checked 72 skill(s)50# all checks passed51```5253---5455## 📚 The Collections5657### 📄 doc-skills — Document Processing 5859Create / read / modify every major document type. One default library per operation, re-parse validation after every write.6061| Skill | What it does |62|---|---|63| 📊 [`processing-xlsx`](doc-skills/processing-xlsx/) | Excel workbooks with openpyxl — values, formulas, formatting, multi-sheet |64| 📝 [`processing-docx`](doc-skills/processing-docx/) | Word documents with python-docx — paragraphs, tables, styles + pandoc reading |65| 🎞️ [`processing-pptx`](doc-skills/processing-pptx/) | PowerPoint decks with python-pptx — slides, layouts, tables, charts |66| 📕 [`processing-pdf`](doc-skills/processing-pdf/) | Extract text/tables, create, merge, split, watermark, encrypt, fill forms |67| 🧾 [`processing-json`](doc-skills/processing-json/) | Create, modify, validate, and query JSON / JSON Lines |68| 🗂️ [`processing-csv`](doc-skills/processing-csv/) | CSV/TSV create, edit, convert to/from JSON |69| 🏷️ [`processing-xml`](doc-skills/processing-xml/) | XML create, edit, validate, XPath queries — namespace-safe |70| ⚙️ [`processing-yaml`](doc-skills/processing-yaml/) | YAML configs — safe_load discipline, round-trip edits, Norway-problem proof |71| ✍️ [`processing-markdown`](doc-skills/processing-markdown/) | Markdown create, restructure, convert via pandoc |72| 🌐 [`processing-html`](doc-skills/processing-html/) | Local HTML — extract text/tables/links, edit with BeautifulSoup |7374### 🎨 frontend-skills — Frontend Design 7576Grounded in Anthropic's `frontend-design` skill + 2026 standards (WCAG 2.2 AA · LCP ≤2.5s · INP ≤200ms · CLS ≤0.1).7778| Skill | What it does |79|---|---|80| 🏗️ [`structuring-semantic-html`](frontend-skills/structuring-semantic-html/) | Landmarks, heading hierarchy, meaning-bearing markup, SEO/OG meta |81| 📐 [`designing-responsive-layouts`](frontend-skills/designing-responsive-layouts/) | Mobile-first flexbox/grid, container queries, clamp() fluid sizing |82| 🎨 [`theming-design-tokens`](frontend-skills/theming-design-tokens/) | Token tiers, dark mode, spacing scales, contrast-safe palettes |83| 🔤 [`choosing-typography`](frontend-skills/choosing-typography/) | Typeface pairing per brief, modular scales, font loading |84| ♿ [`ensuring-accessibility`](frontend-skills/ensuring-accessibility/) | WCAG 2.2 AA audits — keyboard, focus, ARIA, contrast, targets |85| ✨ [`crafting-ui-animations`](frontend-skills/crafting-ui-animations/) | Purposeful motion, transform/opacity only, reduced-motion always |86| 🧾 [`designing-forms`](frontend-skills/designing-forms/) | Labels, validation timing, error states, multi-step patterns |87| ⚛️ [`building-react-components`](frontend-skills/building-react-components/) | Props APIs, composition, state placement, hooks |88| 🚀 [`optimizing-web-performance`](frontend-skills/optimizing-web-performance/) | Core Web Vitals budgets — images, fonts, splitting, measurement |89| 🎯 [`creating-landing-pages`](frontend-skills/creating-landing-pages/) | Hero thesis, CTA rhythm, one signature element, benefit-first copy |9091### 🗄️ db-skills — Database Management 9293PostgreSQL-first with MySQL/SQLite deviations noted. Measure before changing anything.9495| Skill | What it does |96|---|---|97| 🔍 [`writing-sql-queries`](db-skills/writing-sql-queries/) | Correct, readable, injection-safe SQL — CTEs, window functions, NULL traps |98| 📋 [`designing-database-schemas`](db-skills/designing-database-schemas/) | 3NF-first modeling, keys, types, constraints, naming |99| ⚡ [`optimizing-sql-performance`](db-skills/optimizing-sql-performance/) | EXPLAIN ANALYZE, indexing strategy, N+1, keyset pagination |100| 🔀 [`managing-database-migrations`](db-skills/managing-database-migrations/) | Versioned, immutable, reversible; zero-downtime expand→contract |101| 💾 [`backing-up-databases`](db-skills/backing-up-databases/) | Scheduled backups, PITR, 3-2-1 rule, restore drills |102| 🔐 [`securing-databases`](db-skills/securing-databases/) | Least-privilege roles, parameterized-only queries, TLS, RLS, auditing |103| 🐘 [`administering-postgresql`](db-skills/administering-postgresql/) | Roles, config knobs with starting values, autovacuum, monitoring |104| 🪶 [`managing-sqlite`](db-skills/managing-sqlite/) | WAL mode, pragmas, bulk-insert transactions, safe backups |105| 📦 [`modeling-nosql-data`](db-skills/modeling-nosql-data/) | Access-pattern-first design, embed vs reference, Redis key design |106| 🚨 [`troubleshooting-databases`](db-skills/troubleshooting-databases/) | 5-stage incident triage runbook with the exact query per stage |107108### 🔧 backend-skills — Backend Development 109110| Skill | What it does |111|---|---|112| 🛣️ [`designing-rest-apis`](backend-skills/designing-rest-apis/) | Resources, status codes, pagination, versioning, problem+json, OpenAPI |113| 🕸️ [`designing-graphql-apis`](backend-skills/designing-graphql-apis/) | Schema-first, DataLoader vs N+1, cursor connections, complexity limits |114| 📡 [`designing-webhooks`](backend-skills/designing-webhooks/) | HMAC signing, backoff retries, idempotent delivery, DLQ |115| 📤 [`handling-file-uploads`](backend-skills/handling-file-uploads/) | Presigned URLs, magic-byte validation, streaming, resumable uploads |116| 🔑 [`implementing-authentication`](backend-skills/implementing-authentication/) | argon2id, sessions vs JWT, OAuth2/OIDC + PKCE, MFA, safe resets |117| 🛂 [`implementing-authorization`](backend-skills/implementing-authorization/) | RBAC/ABAC, deny-by-default, IDOR prevention, tenant isolation |118| 🧰 [`validating-input`](backend-skills/validating-input/) | Boundary schemas, allowlists, canonicalization, structured 422s |119| 🛡️ [`securing-backend-services`](backend-skills/securing-backend-services/) | Security headers, TLS, secrets, SSRF/CSRF defenses, safe errors |120| 💥 [`handling-errors`](backend-skills/handling-errors/) | Error taxonomy, problem+json, retries with jitter, circuit breakers |121| 🔭 [`instrumenting-observability`](backend-skills/instrumenting-observability/) | Structured logs, correlation IDs, RED metrics, OpenTelemetry |122| 🧪 [`testing-backend-services`](backend-skills/testing-backend-services/) | Test pyramid, testcontainers, contract tests, zero flake |123| 🎛️ [`managing-configuration`](backend-skills/managing-configuration/) | 12-factor env config, typed startup validation, secret separation |124| ⏳ [`writing-background-jobs`](backend-skills/writing-background-jobs/) | Idempotent jobs, backoff, DLQ, timeouts, queue observability |125| 📨 [`handling-async-messaging`](backend-skills/handling-async-messaging/) | Transactional outbox, idempotent consumers, schema versioning |126| 🗃️ [`caching-strategies`](backend-skills/caching-strategies/) | Cache-aside, TTL discipline, invalidation, stampede protection |127| 🚦 [`limiting-request-rates`](backend-skills/limiting-request-rates/) | Token bucket, 429 + Retry-After, tiered limits, load shedding |128| 🐳 [`containerizing-services`](backend-skills/containerizing-services/) | Multi-stage builds, non-root, pinned images, healthchecks |129| 🚢 [`shipping-with-ci-cd`](backend-skills/shipping-with-ci-cd/) | Build-once promotion, canary/blue-green, automated rollback |130| 🧩 [`architecting-service-boundaries`](backend-skills/architecting-service-boundaries/) | Modular monolith default, data ownership, sagas, strangler |131| 📈 [`scaling-backend-services`](backend-skills/scaling-backend-services/) | Statelessness, pooling, load balancing, autoscaling on the right metric |132133### ✒️ writing-skills — Writing 134135Stylistic skills: every rule ships with a ✅/❌ pair; every workflow ends in a self-review pass.136137| Skill | What it does |138|---|---|139| 📖 [`writing-technical-documentation`](writing-skills/writing-technical-documentation/) | READMEs, architecture docs, runbooks — quickstart first, scannable |140| 🔌 [`writing-api-documentation`](writing-skills/writing-api-documentation/) | Endpoint reference with runnable examples, errors documented like successes |141| 🧑🏫 [`writing-tutorials`](writing-skills/writing-tutorials/) | Step-by-step guides — every step has a verifiable checkpoint |142| 📰 [`writing-blog-posts`](writing-skills/writing-blog-posts/) | One specific claim, a real hook, real code and numbers |143| 🤖 [`writing-agent-skills`](writing-skills/writing-agent-skills/) | **The meta-skill** — author SKILL.md files with the Sharp Skill method |144| 📧 [`writing-professional-emails`](writing-skills/writing-professional-emails/) | Ask-first structure, decision-ready subject lines |145| 📊 [`writing-executive-summaries`](writing-skills/writing-executive-summaries/) | BLUF, one page, numbers over adjectives, a clear pick |146| 🤝 [`writing-proposals`](writing-skills/writing-proposals/) | Their problem first, scope exclusions, tiered pricing |147| 🗒️ [`writing-meeting-notes`](writing-skills/writing-meeting-notes/) | Decisions & actions first, every action has owner + deadline |148| 🪄 [`editing-and-proofreading`](writing-skills/editing-and-proofreading/) | Four fixed passes: structure → paragraphs → sentences → mechanics |149150### 💰 finance-skills — US/Canada Tax & Accounting 151152🇺🇸 🇨🇦 Tax-year-2026 figures with official verification sources. **Educational, legal planning only** — every skill refuses evasion and refers complex cases to a CPA.153154| Skill | What it does |155|---|---|156| 🧾 [`preparing-us-personal-tax-returns`](finance-skills/preparing-us-personal-tax-returns/) | Form 1040 — documents, schedules, deadlines, safe harbors |157| 🍁 [`preparing-canadian-personal-tax-returns`](finance-skills/preparing-canadian-personal-tax-returns/) | T1 — slips, deductions vs credits, NETFILE, instalments |158| 💸 [`optimizing-us-personal-taxes`](finance-skills/optimizing-us-personal-taxes/) | 401(k)/IRA/HSA priority, Roth decisions, loss harvesting, bunching |159| 🇨🇦 [`optimizing-canadian-personal-taxes`](finance-skills/optimizing-canadian-personal-taxes/) | RRSP vs TFSA vs FHSA, legal splitting, superficial-loss rule |160| 🌉 [`handling-cross-border-taxation`](finance-skills/handling-cross-border-taxation/) | Residency tests, treaty tie-breakers, FBAR/8938, TFSA-for-US-persons trap |161| 📒 [`bookkeeping-for-small-businesses`](finance-skills/bookkeeping-for-small-businesses/) | Double-entry, chart of accounts, monthly close, reconciliation |162| 📑 [`preparing-financial-statements`](finance-skills/preparing-financial-statements/) | Income statement, balance sheet, cash flow — with cross-statement ties |163| 🏢 [`filing-us-business-taxes`](finance-skills/filing-us-business-taxes/) | Schedule C / 1065 / 1120-S / 1120, estimated taxes, payroll, 1099s |164| 🏬 [`filing-canadian-business-taxes`](finance-skills/filing-canadian-business-taxes/) | T2125, T2, GST/HST, payroll remittances, T4/T5 |165| 🧮 [`optimizing-business-taxes`](finance-skills/optimizing-business-taxes/) | S-corp analysis (US) · SBD protection, salary vs dividends (Canada) |166167### 🏅 The founding examples 168169| Skill | What it does |170|---|---|171| 🔬 [`skill-1-profiling-csv-data`](skill-1-profiling-csv-data/) | Deterministic domain — CSV data-quality reports via a bundled stdlib script (executed & verified) |172| 📣 [`skill-2-writing-release-notes`](skill-2-writing-release-notes/) | Stylistic domain — benefit-first release notes with do/never examples |173174---175176## ✅ Quality Gate177178179180181182183184[`tools/validate_skills.py`](tools/validate_skills.py) (stdlib-only) mechanically enforces the Sharp Skill Checklist on every skill: valid frontmatter · name rules (≤64 chars, charset, reserved words, folder match) · description rules (≤1024 chars, literal "Use when …" trigger clause, "Do not use …" boundary, third person, no XML tags) · author header in every file · body ≤500 lines · zero broken reference links · forward-slash paths only.185186## 🧬 Design invariants (all 72 skills)1871881. 🎯 **Description = trigger** — WHAT + literal "Use when …" phrases + "Do not use …" boundary1892. 🧱 **Pairwise-exclusive boundaries** per collection — no request can plausibly fire two skills1903. 1️⃣ **One default per decision**, escape hatch named with its install command1914. 🔁 **Every workflow ends with a validation step** — malformed input is reported, never guessed around1925. 🪜 **Progressive disclosure** — lean SKILL.md, depth one level deep in `references/` with a TOC193194## 📁 Repository map195196```text197.198├── RESEARCH-SYNTHESIS.md # the method: 15 principles + Sharp Skill Checklist + template199├── VALIDATION-REPORT.md # trigger tests, execution evidence, checklist results200├── skill-1-profiling-csv-data/ skill-2-writing-release-notes/201├── doc-skills/ (10) ├── frontend-skills/ (10) ├── db-skills/ (10)202├── backend-skills/ (20) ├── writing-skills/ (10) ├── finance-skills/ (10)203├── tools/validate_skills.py # the quality gate204└── validation/ # fixtures + real outputs205```206207<div align="center">208209**Author:** Simon-Pierre Boucher · **Contact:** [contact@spboucher.ai](mailto:contact@spboucher.ai)210211*Built research-first with [Claude Code](https://claude.com/claude-code) — every figure sourced, every skill linted, every trigger tested.*212213</div>214