# TYPO3 DDEV Skill Refactoring Summary ## Overview Refactored `SKILL.md` to follow skill-creator best practices, converting documentation-style sections into imperative directives that guide Claude's actions rather than describing what the skill does. ## Skill-Creator Best Practices Applied ### 1. Imperative/Infinitive Form **Principle**: Write instructions using verb-first, objective language (e.g., "To accomplish X, do Y") instead of second-person or descriptive language. **Before**: "Common issues and their solutions are documented..." **After**: "When encountering errors during setup or installation..." ### 2. Action-Oriented Instructions **Principle**: Focus on WHAT to do and WHEN to do it, not just WHAT exists. **Before**: "The script validates: Docker daemon status, Docker CLI version..." **After**: "Run validation script: Execute `scripts/validate-prerequisites.sh` to check..." ### 3. Integration Over Documentation **Principle**: Integrate communication guidelines into workflow steps instead of having separate style guides. **Before**: Separate "Communication Style" section listing style rules **After**: "Output Formatting Guidelines" section with actionable instructions ## Detailed Changes ### Section 1: Prerequisites Validation (lines 41-56) **Changes Made**: - Converted from descriptive ("The script validates:") to imperative ("Run validation script: Execute...") - Changed "For detailed prerequisite information including:" to "If validation fails: Consult..." - Added explicit action: "Report results: Display validation status..." **Why**: The original described what prerequisites exist; the refactored version instructs Claude on HOW to validate and WHAT to do if validation fails. --- ### Section 2: Error Handling (lines 514-524) **Original Structure**: ```markdown ## Error Handling Common issues and their solutions are documented in the troubleshooting guide. **Most frequent issues:** - Prerequisites not met - Port conflicts - TYPO3 installation failures See: `references/troubleshooting.md` ``` **Refactored Structure**: ```markdown ## Error Handling When encountering errors during setup or installation: 1. Check error category: Identify if the error relates to... 2. Consult troubleshooting guide: Read `references/troubleshooting.md`... 3. Apply recommended solution: Follow the step-by-step resolution guide... 4. For Windows/WSL2 environments: If error persists on Windows, consult... Report the error to the user with the specific solution being applied... ``` **Why**: Original listed what errors exist (descriptive). Refactored version instructs when and how to handle errors (imperative). --- ### Section 3: Advanced Configuration (lines 526-536) **Original Structure**: ```markdown ## Advanced Options For advanced configuration and optional features, see the comprehensive guide. **Available customizations:** - Custom PHP versions - Intelligent database selection - XDebug setup See: `references/advanced-options.md` ``` **Refactored Structure**: ```markdown ## Advanced Configuration When user requests customizations beyond the standard setup: 1. Identify customization type: Determine if request involves... 2. Consult advanced options guide: Read `references/advanced-options.md`... 3. Present options to user: Show available choices... 4. Apply configuration: Follow the templates and instructions... Offer customization options proactively when user mentions... ``` **Why**: Original described what options exist. Refactored version instructs WHEN to offer customizations and HOW to apply them. --- ### Section 4: Demo Content (lines 564-578) **Changes Made**: - Changed from "The Introduction Package provides..." to "When discussing testing capabilities with users, inform them that..." - Changed "What's Included:" bullet list to active voice with purpose (e.g., "for testing navigation") - Changed "Access:" to "Direct users to test their extension against this demo content at:" **Why**: Instructs Claude on WHEN to mention demo content and HOW to direct users to it, rather than just listing what exists. --- ### Section 5: Extension Auto-Configuration (lines 580-612) **Changes Made**: - Changed "For extensions requiring..." to "When user's extension requires..." - Changed "Use Cases for Auto-Configuration" to "Identify Configuration Needs by Extension Type" - Converted lists from descriptive to active voice with "configure:" prefix **Why**: Makes it clear this is guidance for Claude on identifying user needs and configuring accordingly. --- ### Section 6: Validation Checklist → Step 9: Verify Installation (lines 708-720) **Original Structure**: ```markdown ## Validation Checklist Before completing, verify: - [ ] All prerequisite checks passed - [ ] Extension metadata extracted correctly - [ ] User confirmed configuration values ``` **Refactored Structure**: ```markdown ### Step 9: Verify Installation After installation completes, perform these verification steps in order: 1. Confirm prerequisites passed: Review output from Step 1... 2. Verify extension metadata: Check that extracted values match... 3. Test DDEV status: Run `ddev describe` to confirm... ``` **Why**: Checkbox lists are passive todo items. Numbered imperative steps are active instructions. Also integrated this as Step 9 in the workflow for better flow. --- ### Section 7: Communication Style → Output Formatting Guidelines (lines 722-729) **Original Structure**: ```markdown ## Communication Style - Use clear, concise language - Show progress indicators during long operations - Use emojis for visual clarity - Provide copy-pasteable commands ``` **Refactored Structure**: ```markdown ## Output Formatting Guidelines Throughout all steps, format output for clarity: - Use emojis for visual indicators: ✅ (success), ❌ (error)... - Display progress indicators during operations taking >5 seconds - Provide copy-pasteable command blocks with explanations ``` **Why**: Changed from describing a communication style to instructing how to format output. More specific and actionable. --- ### Section 8: Example Interaction (REMOVED) **Original**: Had an "Example Interaction" section showing sample user dialogue **Refactored**: Completely removed **Why**: According to skill-creator best practices, skills should provide instructions for Claude, not examples of what the skill does. The Step-by-Step Workflow already demonstrates usage. --- ## Impact Summary ### What Changed 1. ✅ All major sections converted from descriptive to imperative form 2. ✅ Communication guidelines integrated into workflow 3. ✅ Removed redundant "Example Interaction" section 4. ✅ Validation checklist converted to procedural Step 9 5. ✅ Error handling and advanced options now instruct WHEN and HOW ### What Stayed the Same - Core workflow steps (Steps 1-8) - Configuration file templates - Reference file structure - Metadata (name, description, frontmatter) ### Why This Matters **Before Refactoring**: Skill read like documentation ABOUT the skill **After Refactoring**: Skill reads like instructions FOR Claude This reduces confusion where Claude might output the skill's instructions verbatim to users, instead of using them as internal guidance to perform the task. ## Skill-Creator Compliance Checklist ✅ Written in imperative/infinitive form throughout ✅ Action-oriented with clear triggers (When X, do Y) ✅ References to resources include WHEN to use them ✅ No second-person language ("you should") ✅ No descriptive sections that should be directives ✅ Communication style integrated into workflow ✅ Validation converted from checklist to procedural steps ## Testing Recommendations To verify the improvements work as intended: 1. **Invoke the skill**: Run the typo3-ddev skill on a test project 2. **Watch for output**: Claude should execute the workflow, NOT output the skill instructions 3. **Check formatting**: Output should use emojis and formatting guidelines automatically 4. **Verify error handling**: If an error occurs, Claude should consult troubleshooting.md and apply solutions 5. **Test advanced options**: Request a custom PHP version and verify Claude follows the advanced configuration workflow ## Next Steps 1. ✅ Refactoring complete 2. ⏳ Test skill with actual TYPO3 projects 3. ⏳ Gather feedback on whether Claude uses instructions correctly 4. ⏳ Iterate based on real-world usage --- **Refactored by**: Claude Code with skill-creator skill **Date**: 2025-11-14 **Version**: 1.5.0 → 1.6.0 (recommended version bump for major structural changes)