Specifying Inputs and Outputs

In this episode, I walk through a beginner-friendly, step-by-step way to set up Claude Skills so you can get more consistent, higher-value output over time. I show where to enable Skills (it’s not on by default), how to create a new skill using Claude’s “create a skill together” flow, and why Skills are different from Projects for ongoing, reusable workflows. Then I demo a real example: building a conversion-focused copywriting review skill for an agency workflow, installing it, and testing it on app store screenshots + website copy. I close with how to level up Skills by iterating them over time, using a 10-step process I reference from a “Boring Marketer” tweet.

Timestamps:

00:00 – Intro

00:40 – Enable Skills (Settings → Capabilities → Skills Preview)

01:21 – Creating a new skill

06:34 – Why Skills are important Projects for “always-on” workflows

07:49 – Reviewing the skill

10:34 – Installing the skill (copy to skills / upload in Skills)

11:28 – Testing the Skill 16:14 – How to improve skill over time

Key Points

• Skills make Claude’s output more consistent because you bake in reusable context and workflows.

• Skills aren’t enabled by default—turn them on in Settings → Capabilities.

• The easiest path for most people is “Create a skill together,” then answer Claude’s scoping questions.

• A strong skill includes frameworks, scoring, and an output template—not vague advice.

• The real power comes from iterating: test on real scenarios, critique, refine, and keep improving the skill over time.

Numbered Section Summaries

1. Why Skills Matter For Beginners I open by explaining that Skills help you get more consistent, higher-value output from Claude over time, especially if you’re a beginner and want repeatable results.

2. Turn On Skills First Skills aren’t enabled by default, so I show the exact path: Settings → Capabilities → enable the Skills preview feature.

3. Create A Skill (Three Paths) I walk through the three options: create with Claude, write skill instructions, or upload an existing skill

4. Build A Real Skill: Conversion Copy Review I describe the skill I want: a conversion-focused copywriting reviewer for apps and websites, built like a specialist “employee” that can critique headlines, CTAs, value props, pricing pages, and more.

5. Skills vs Projects (And Why Skills Win For Ongoing Work) I explain why I prefer Skills for ongoing workflows: Projects can be context-specific to a campaign, while Skills are meant to work across day-to-day work regardless of the project timeline.

6. What Claude Generates (And Why Markdown Is Great) I show Claude generating the skill structure and markdown files (like skill md and framework docs), and I call out why markdown is practical and easy for non-technical folks to edit.

7. Install + Test The Skill On A Real Example I install the skill (copy to Skills / upload) and test it on real assets—app store screenshots and website copy—to see if it actually follows the skill workflow.

8. Make The Skill Better Over Time (The Improvement Loop) I share the idea that Skills shouldn’t stay static. I reference a 10-step process (understand the problem, explore failures, research, synthesize, draft, self-critique, iterate, test, finalize) and emphasize ongoing iteration based on real outputs.

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