create-tooluniverse-skill
Create high-quality ToolUniverse skills following test-driven, implementation-agnostic methodology.
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Install
Works with every agent the skills CLI supports.
npx skills add https://github.com/mims-harvard/tooluniverse --skill create-tooluniverse-skill- 01
Install
Run the command in your project. The CLI asks which agents to install for.
- 02
Describe the task
Ask your agent for something this skill covers. It loads create-tooluniverse-skill automatically when relevant.
- 03
Review the result
The agent follows the SKILL.md steps, scripts and references bundled with the skill.
SKILL.md
The instructions your agent reads when the skill is triggered.
Create ToolUniverse Skill
Systematic workflow for creating production-ready ToolUniverse skills.
The
devtu-*skills this one hands off to are no longer in this repository.devtu-optimize-skills,devtu-create-toolanddevtu-fix-toolmoved to the tu-harness plugin (tooluniverse/tooluniverse-harness), because they operate on this repository rather than being something a user of it calls. Install them withclaude plugin install tu-harness@tooluniverse-harness; the references below name them by skill, so they resolve once that plugin is present. This skill is maintainer-facing too -- it is not in the user-facing plugin mirror -- and belongs beside them; it has not moved yet only because nothing forced the question.
Core Principles
Build on the 10 pillars from devtu-optimize-skills:
- TEST FIRST - never document untested tools
- Verify tool contracts - don't trust function names
- Handle SOAP tools - add
operationparameter - Implementation-agnostic docs - no Python/MCP code in SKILL.md
- Foundation first - query aggregators before specialized tools
- Disambiguate carefully - resolve IDs properly
- Implement fallbacks - Primary -> Fallback -> Default
- Grade evidence - T1-T4 tiers on claims
- Quantified completeness - numeric minimums per section
- Synthesize - models and hypotheses, not just lists
See OPTIMIZE_INTEGRATION.md for detailed application of each pillar.
7-Phase Workflow
| Phase | Duration | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Domain Analysis | 15 min | Understand use cases, data types, analysis phases |
| 2. Tool Discovery | 30-45 min | Search, read configs, test tools (MANDATORY) |
| 3. Tool Creation | 0-60 min | Create missing tools via devtu-create-tool |
| 4. Implementation | 30-45 min | Write python_implementation.py with tested tools |
| 5. Documentation | 30-45 min | Write SKILL.md (agnostic) + QUICK_START.md |
| 6. Validation | 15-30 min | Run test suite, validate checklist, manual verify |
| 7. Packaging | 15 min | Create summary, update tracking |
Total: ~1.5-2 hours (without tool creation).
Phase 1: Domain Analysis
- Gather concrete use cases and expected outputs
- Identify inputs, outputs, and intermediate data types
- Break workflow into logical phases
- Review existing skills in
skills/for patterns
Phase 2: Tool Discovery and Testing
Search tools in /src/tooluniverse/data/*.json (186 tool files). For each tool, read its config to understand parameters and return schema. See PARAMETER_VERIFICATION.md for common pitfalls.
Create and run a test script using test_tools_template.py. For each tool: call with known-good params, verify response format, document corrections. See TESTING_GUIDE.md for the full test suite template and procedures.
Phase 3: Tool Creation (If Needed)
Invoke devtu-create-tool when required functionality is missing and analysis is blocked. Use devtu-fix-tool if new tools fail tests.
Phase 4: Implementation
Create skills/tooluniverse-[domain]/ with:
python_implementation.py- use only tested tools, try/except per phase, progressive report writingtest_skill.py- test each input type, combined inputs, error handling
Use templates from CODE_TEMPLATES.md.
Phase 5: Documentation
Write implementation-agnostic SKILL.md using SKILL_TEMPLATE.md. Write multi-implementation QUICK_START.md using QUICKSTART_TEMPLATE.md. Key rules: zero Python/MCP code in SKILL.md, equal treatment of both interfaces in QUICK_START.
See IMPLEMENTATION_AGNOSTIC.md for format guidelines with examples.
Phase 6: Validation
Run the comprehensive test suite (see TESTING_GUIDE.md). Validate against VALIDATION_CHECKLIST.md. Perform manual verification: load ToolUniverse fresh, copy-paste QUICK_START example, verify output works.
Phase 7: Packaging
Create summary document using PACKAGING_TEMPLATE.md. Update session tracking if creating multiple skills.
Skill Integration
| Skill | When to Use |
|---|---|
| devtu-create-tool | Critical functionality missing |
| devtu-fix-tool | Tool returns errors or unexpected format |
| devtu-optimize-skills | Evidence grading, report optimization |
Quality Indicators
High quality: 100% test coverage before docs, agnostic SKILL.md, multi-implementation QUICK_START, fallback strategies, parameter corrections table, response format docs.
Red flags: Docs before testing, Python in SKILL.md, assumed parameters, no fallbacks, SOAP tools missing operation, no test script.
Reference Files
| File | Content |
|---|---|
SKILL_TEMPLATE.md | Template for writing SKILL.md |
QUICKSTART_TEMPLATE.md | Template for writing QUICK_START.md |
TESTING_GUIDE.md | Test suite template and procedures |
VALIDATION_CHECKLIST.md | Pre-release quality checklist |
PACKAGING_TEMPLATE.md | Summary document template |
PARAMETER_VERIFICATION.md | Tool parameter verification guide |
OPTIMIZE_INTEGRATION.md | devtu-optimize-skills 10-pillar integration |
IMPLEMENTATION_AGNOSTIC.md | Implementation-agnostic format guide with examples |
CODE_TEMPLATES.md | Python implementation and test templates |
test_tools_template.py | Tool testing script template |
FAQ
What does the create-tooluniverse-skill skill do?
Create high-quality ToolUniverse skills following test-driven, implementation-agnostic methodology.
How do I install create-tooluniverse-skill?
Run npx skills add https://github.com/mims-harvard/tooluniverse --skill create-tooluniverse-skill in your project. The skills CLI detects the agents you use and copies the skill into the right folder. For Claude Code you can also place the skill folder at ~/.claude/skills/create-tooluniverse-skill/ (personal) or .claude/skills/create-tooluniverse-skill/ (project).
Which AI agents can use create-tooluniverse-skill?
Any agent that supports the open Agent Skills format (a folder with a SKILL.md file), including Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, GitHub Copilot, Gemini CLI, Windsurf, Cline, OpenCode and more.
Is create-tooluniverse-skill safe to install?
No partner security audit is available yet. Skills can run commands and scripts, so read the SKILL.md and any bundled files before installing.
Who maintains create-tooluniverse-skill?
It is published by mims-harvard in mims-harvard/tooluniverse. It has 410 recorded installs.
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