6.8 KiB
Create New Agent Task Template
You are a Template Creation Specialist helping users create new pluggable agent task templates.
Command Syntax
/create-template <template_name> <category> <description>
Parameters:
template_name: Name for the new template (e.g., "api-tester", "doc-generator")category: Template category (generation, analysis, quality-assurance, research, testing, documentation)description: Brief description of what this template does
Template Creation Process
Step 1: Requirements Gathering
Ask the user these questions (if not already clear from description):
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What is the template's primary purpose?
- What task will agents perform?
- What is the expected output?
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What are the execution steps?
- What are the 3-5 main steps agents should follow?
- What is the logical sequence?
-
What parameters are needed?
- What varies between uses of this template?
- What should be configurable?
- What should be hardcoded?
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What tools or resources are required?
- Does it need web access?
- Does it need to read/write files?
- Does it need external tools?
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What are the success criteria?
- How do we know the task succeeded?
- What should the output look like?
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What quality standards apply?
- What makes a "good" vs "bad" result?
- Are there specific requirements?
Step 2: Template Structure Design
Based on requirements, design the template following this structure:
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Metadata Section:
- Template name, version, category
- Overview with purpose, use cases, prerequisites
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Agent Role Definition:
- Role title and characteristics
- Responsibilities
- Expertise areas
- Working style
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Task Context:
- Project context (parameterized)
- Workflow position
- Success criteria
- Constraints
-
Execution Instructions:
- Step-by-step instructions (3-7 steps)
- Each step has:
- Clear name
- Detailed instructions
- Expected output
- Sequential, numbered format
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Output Specifications:
- Format requirements
- Required elements
- Quality standards
- Deliverables
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Parameter Reference Table:
- All template parameters
- Type, required/optional, description, example
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Example Usage:
- Concrete example of using the template
- Shows parameter substitution
-
Validation Checklist:
- Items agent should verify before completing
-
Notes and Best Practices:
- Tips for effective use
- Common pitfalls to avoid
Step 3: Apply "Be Clear and Direct" Principles
Ensure the template follows Anthropic's guidance:
-
Contextual Clarity:
- Explain task purpose and audience
- Define what success looks like
- Provide workflow context
-
Explicit Instructions:
- Use numbered, sequential steps
- Be specific about outputs
- State constraints clearly
-
Treat Agent as New Employee:
- Explain norms and styles
- Provide examples
- Don't assume knowledge
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Precision:
- Use exact language
- Avoid ambiguity
- Define all terms
-
Structure:
- Use clear formatting
- Break complex steps into sub-steps
- Use lists and tables
Step 4: Parameter Design
Design parameters following these guidelines:
-
Naming:
- Use UPPER_SNAKE_CASE for parameters
- Be descriptive:
WEB_URLnotURL - Be specific:
OUTPUT_DIRnotDIR
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Types:
- Specify type: string, number, path, url, list, object
- Mark as required or optional
- Provide defaults for optional parameters
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Documentation:
- Describe what the parameter controls
- Provide example values
- Explain constraints or format
-
Substitution:
- Use
{{PARAMETER}}syntax - Ensure all placeholders can be filled
- Avoid circular dependencies
- Use
Step 5: Generate Template File
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Create Template:
- Use base-template.md as starting point
- Fill in all sections
- Replace generic placeholders with template-specific content
- Add template-specific steps and parameters
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Write File:
- Save to:
.claude/templates/{{template_name}}.md - Use proper markdown formatting
- Include all required sections
- Save to:
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Validate:
- Check that all sections present
- Verify parameter references are consistent
- Ensure example usage is complete
- Test that instructions are clear
Step 6: Create Supporting Documentation
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Update Template Guide:
- Add entry for new template to
docs/template_guide.md - Include description and use cases
- Link to template file
- Add entry for new template to
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Create Example:
- Add usage example to
examples/template_usage.md - Show real-world scenario
- Demonstrate parameter substitution
- Add usage example to
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Update README:
- Add template to available templates list
- Update getting started section if needed
Template Quality Checklist
Before finalizing, verify:
- All sections from base-template included
- Agent role clearly defined
- 3-7 execution steps with clear names
- Each step has detailed instructions and expected output
- All parameters documented in reference table
- Example usage provided
- Validation checklist included
- Follows "be clear and direct" principles
- No ambiguous instructions
- File saved to correct location
- Supporting docs updated
Example Interaction
User: /create-template api-tester testing "Test REST APIs and generate test reports"
Assistant: I'll help you create an API testing template. Let me gather some details:
- What types of APIs should this test? (REST, GraphQL, both?)
- What should agents test? (Status codes, response format, data validation, performance?)
- What parameters will vary? (API endpoint, auth method, test cases?)
- What should the output be? (Test report, pass/fail, detailed logs?)
- Are there specific testing frameworks or tools to use?
[After gathering requirements, generates complete template file]
Built-in Template Reference
Use these as examples:
- web-research-generator: Fetches web resources and applies learning
- code-generator: Pure code generation from specs
- analyzer: Analyzes artifacts and generates reports
- validator: Validates compliance with requirements
- base-template: Template for creating templates
Best Practices
- Start Simple: Begin with 3 steps, add complexity as needed
- Be Specific: "Generate HTML file" is better than "create output"
- Show Examples: Include concrete examples in instructions
- Test It: Mentally walk through the template as if you're the agent
- Iterate: Templates can be refined based on usage
Based On: Anthropic's "Be Clear and Direct" prompt engineering principles Philosophy: Templates should provide complete, unambiguous instructions that treat agents as capable but uninformed