Skill Template Guide

This guide provides the standard template for creating skill files, with explanations for each section.

Complete Skill Template

---
name: your-skill-name
description: Brief description of the model type and when to use it.
---

# [Model Name] Generation

## Overview

[1-2 paragraphs describing what this model does and its purpose]

**When to Use:**
- [Use case 1]
- [Use case 2]
- [Use case 3]

## ⚠️ CRITICAL: Common Errors to Avoid

### 1. [Error Category 1]
| ❌ WRONG | ✅ CORRECT |
|----------|-----------|
| [Incorrect approach] | [Correct approach] |

### 2. [Error Category 2]
| ❌ WRONG | ✅ CORRECT |
|----------|-----------|
| [Incorrect approach] | [Correct approach] |

---

## Core Workflow

1. **Step 1** → [Description]
2. **Step 2** → [Description]
3. **Step 3** → [Description]
4. **Link All Sheets** → Cross-sheet references

---

## Model Architecture

### Required Sheets ([N] Sheets)

| Sheet | Purpose |
|-------|---------|
| `[Sheet 1]` | [Description] |
| `[Sheet 2]` | [Description] |

### Sheet 1: [Sheet Name]

Row 2: [HEADER] Row 3: ($mm) Col1 Col2 Col3 Row 5: [SECTION] Row 6: Line Item 1 $X.X $X.X $X.X Row 7: Line Item 2 $X.X $X.X $X.X Row 8: % Margin 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% ...


---

## Industry-Specific Line Items

### [Industry 1] Specifics
| Line Item | Description |
|-----------|-------------|
| [Line Item 1] | [What it represents] |
| [Line Item 2] | [What it represents] |

### [Industry 2] Specifics
| Line Item | Description |
|-----------|-------------|
| [Line Item 1] | [What it represents] |
| [Line Item 2] | [What it represents] |

---

## Key Formulas

### [Formula Category 1]

[Formula_Name] = [Excel Formula] Example: Revenue_Growth = (Current_Revenue - Prior_Revenue) / Prior_Revenue


### [Formula Category 2]

[Formula_Name] = [Excel Formula]


---

## Formatting Standards

| Element | Style |
|---------|-------|
| Title | Navy fill (#203864), white text, bold |
| Section Headers | Blue fill (#4472C4), white text, bold |
| Inputs | Blue text (#0000FF) |
| Cross-sheet links | Green text (#008000) |
| Currency | `#,##0.0;(#,##0.0)` |
| Percentages | `0.0%` italic |
| Multiples | `0.0x` |
| Key Outputs | Yellow fill (#FFF2CC), bold, double-line border |

---

## Validation Checks

- [ ] [Check 1 - e.g., Balance sheet balances]
- [ ] [Check 2 - e.g., Sources = Uses]
- [ ] [Check 3 - e.g., Growth rates reasonable]
- [ ] [Check 4 - e.g., No circular references]
- [ ] [Check 5 - e.g., All formulas work]

---

## Common Triggers

**General:**
- "[keyword 1]", "[keyword 2]"
- "[keyword 3]", "[keyword 4]"

**Specific Variants:**
- "[detailed keyword 1]", "[detailed keyword 2]"

**Industry-Specific:**
- "[industry] [model type]"

Section-by-Section Breakdown

YAML Frontmatter

---
name: lbo-model-generation
description: Generate comprehensive Leveraged Buyout (LBO) models...
---

Rules:

  • name: lowercase, dashes between words, no spaces
  • description: One sentence, explains purpose and scope

Overview Section

Explains:

  • What the model calculates
  • Target audience (PE, IB, Corp Dev)
  • Single-sheet vs multi-sheet options
  • Industry variations supported

Critical Errors Section

Prevents common mistakes by showing:

  • Wrong approach in left column
  • Correct approach in right column
  • Clear explanation of why

Example:

| ❌ WRONG | ✅ CORRECT |
|----------|-----------|
| Using average debt balance for interest | Using beginning balance only |

Core Workflow Section

Step-by-step creation process:

  1. List sheets in creation order
  2. Note dependencies between sheets
  3. Specify when to fetch external data
  4. Indicate linking/validation steps

Model Architecture Section

ASCII Layout Diagrams:

Row 2:  TITLE
Row 3:  (blank)
Row 4:  SECTION HEADER
Row 5:  Label                Value1   Value2   Value3
  • Use consistent row numbering
  • Show sample values for clarity
  • Indicate formula relationships with comments

Key Formulas Section

Document every critical formula:

Formula_Name = Excel_Syntax
Example: WACC = E/(E+D)*Ke + D/(E+D)*Kd*(1-Tax)

Include:

  • Formula name and purpose
  • Excel syntax
  • Cell references when helpful
  • Order of operations notes

Formatting Standards Section

Table format for quick reference:

ElementStyle
[Element name][Color/format details]

Reference the main SKILL_FORMATTING_RULES.md for full details.

Validation Checks Section

Checkbox list format:

- [ ] Balance sheet balances (Assets = Liab + Equity)
- [ ] Sources = Uses
- [ ] IRR formula is correct

Include:

  • Mathematical checks (balances, totals)
  • Reasonableness checks (WACC 7-12%)
  • Cross-reference checks (linked values match)

Common Triggers Section

Keywords that map user requests to this skill:

**General:**
- "dcf model", "dcf valuation"

**Detailed:**
- "comprehensive dcf", "dcf with sensitivity"

Group by:

  • General (basic model type)
  • Specific (detailed variants)
  • Industry (sector-specific)

Best Practices

  1. Be Specific: Include exact cell references where possible
  2. Show Don't Tell: Use ASCII diagrams over descriptions
  3. Prevent Errors: Add "Critical Errors" sections
  4. Test Triggers: Ensure keywords are unique and accurate
  5. Cross-Reference: Link to related skills when applicable