> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://skillcliprotocol.io/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Skill manifest

While `SKILL.md` is the only required file, a `skill.json` manifest provides structured metadata for tooling — registries, package managers, and agent frameworks that want machine-readable skill information.

## Example

```json theme={null}
{
  "name": "weather",
  "version": "1.0.0",
  "description": "Get current weather for any location",
  "author": "yourname",
  "license": "MIT",
  "entry": "run.sh",
  "args": [
    {
      "name": "location",
      "type": "string",
      "required": true,
      "description": "City name or coordinates"
    }
  ],
  "env": [
    {
      "name": "WEATHER_API_KEY",
      "required": false,
      "description": "API key for extended forecasts"
    }
  ],
  "tags": ["weather", "utility"]
}
```

## Fields

| Field         | Required | Description                                   |
| ------------- | -------- | --------------------------------------------- |
| `name`        | Yes      | Unique skill identifier                       |
| `version`     | Yes      | Semver version string                         |
| `description` | Yes      | One-line summary                              |
| `author`      | No       | Author name or GitHub handle                  |
| `license`     | No       | SPDX license identifier                       |
| `entry`       | No       | Path to main executable (default: `run.sh`)   |
| `args`        | No       | Array of expected arguments                   |
| `env`         | No       | Array of environment variables the skill uses |
| `tags`        | No       | Keywords for discovery                        |

## When to use skill.json

* **Publishing to a registry** — registries use it for search and display
* **Complex argument handling** — document expected inputs for better agent performance
* **Environment requirements** — declare what env vars the skill needs

## When to skip it

For simple skills used locally, `SKILL.md` alone is sufficient. Don't add structure you don't need.