Skill Catalog
AGEN includes 36 modular skills that can be mixed and matched across agents. Skills are reusable capabilities that extend agent functionality.
How Skills Work
Each skill is a folder containing:
SKILL.md- Main skill definition with YAML frontmatterscripts/(optional) - Verification scripts for the skill
Skills are referenced by agents in their skills: frontmatter field.
Development Skills
clean-code
Pragmatic coding standards - concise, direct, no over-engineering. Core principles: SRP, DRY, KISS, YAGNI.
Used by: All agents
code-review-checklist
Standards and checklists for reviewing code. Covers correctness, security, performance, and maintainability.
Used by: Backend Specialist, Frontend Specialist
lint-and-validate
Code quality tools and linting configuration. Integrates with ESLint, Prettier, and language-specific linters.
Scripts: lint_runner.py, type_coverage.py
tdd-workflow
Test-Driven Development workflow. Red-green-refactor cycle, test-first approach.
Used by: Test Engineer
testing-patterns
Unit testing, integration testing, and E2E testing patterns. Test organization and mock strategies.
Scripts: test_runner.py
systematic-debugging
Systematic approach to debugging. Root cause analysis, hypothesis testing, and isolation techniques.
Used by: Debugger
parallel-agents
Patterns for working with multiple agents simultaneously. Coordination and context sharing.
Used by: Orchestrator
intelligent-routing
Smart task routing to appropriate specialist agents based on context analysis.
Used by: Orchestrator
Language & Framework Skills
nextjs-react-expert
Next.js and React best practices. App Router, Server Components, hooks, and performance.
Used by: Frontend Specialist
tailwind-patterns
Utility-first CSS patterns with Tailwind. Design tokens, responsive design, dark mode.
Used by: Frontend Specialist
nodejs-best-practices
Node.js patterns and best practices. Error handling, async patterns, security.
Used by: Backend Specialist
python-patterns
Pythonic code patterns. Type hints, virtual environments, packaging.
bash-linux
Shell scripting and Linux administration. Automation, system management.
Used by: DevOps Engineer
powershell-windows
Windows scripting with PowerShell. System administration and automation.
Architecture & Design Skills
api-patterns
REST and GraphQL API design patterns. Versioning, error handling, documentation.
Scripts: api_validator.py
Used by: Backend Specialist
architecture
Software architecture patterns. Microservices, monoliths, event-driven, CQRS.
database-design
Database schema design, normalization, indexing, and query optimization.
Scripts: schema_validator.py
Used by: Database Architect
frontend-design
UI/UX principles and frontend architecture. Component design, state management.
Scripts: ux_audit.py, accessibility_checker.py
Used by: Frontend Specialist
mobile-design
Mobile-specific UX patterns. Touch targets, navigation, platform conventions.
Scripts: mobile_audit.py
Used by: Mobile Developer
web-design-guidelines
Modern web design principles. Typography, color, layout, accessibility.
Used by: Frontend Specialist
game-development
Game loop patterns. Physics, rendering, input handling, game state.
Used by: Game Developer
Infrastructure & DevOps Skills
deployment-procedures
Release checklists and deployment strategies. Blue-green, canary, rollback.
Used by: DevOps Engineer
server-management
Linux server operations. Configuration, monitoring, security hardening.
Used by: DevOps Engineer
mcp-builder
Model Context Protocol configuration. MCP server setup and integration.
Security Skills
vulnerability-scanner
Security scanning tools and patterns. OWASP checks, dependency auditing.
Scripts: security_scan.py
Used by: Security Auditor, Penetration Tester
red-team-tactics
Offensive security techniques. Penetration testing methodologies.
Used by: Penetration Tester
Documentation & Content Skills
documentation-templates
Standard documentation formats. README templates, API documentation, guides.
Used by: Documentation Writer
plan-writing
Structured planning documents. PLAN.md format, milestones, deliverables.
Used by: Project Planner, Product Manager
brainstorming
Ideation and brainstorming techniques. Mind mapping, problem decomposition.
Used by: Project Planner, Product Manager, Product Owner
Specialized Skills
seo-fundamentals
Search engine optimization. Meta tags, schema markup, content optimization.
Scripts: seo_checker.py
Used by: SEO Specialist
geo-fundamentals
Geospatial data handling. Location services, mapping, coordinates.
Scripts: geo_checker.py
Used by: SEO Specialist
i18n-localization
Internationalization and localization. Translation workflows, locale handling.
Scripts: i18n_checker.py
performance-profiling
Performance analysis techniques. Profiling, benchmarking, optimization.
Scripts: lighthouse_audit.py
Used by: Performance Optimizer
webapp-testing
Web application testing. Browser automation, Playwright, visual testing.
Scripts: playwright_runner.py
Used by: QA Automation Engineer
app-builder
Application scaffolding patterns. Project structure, configuration.
behavioral-modes
Agent behavioral modes. Planning, execution, verification phases.
Usage
Selecting Skills During Init
# Install specific skills
agen init --skills clean-code,testing-patterns,api-patterns
# Skills are automatically included with agents
agen init --agents backend-specialist # Includes api-patterns, etc.
Skill Files Location
After installation, skills are located at: