079 Output Patterns 530e14f2

# Output Patterns

Use these patterns when skills need to produce consistent, high-quality output.

**NOTE:** These patterns are examples. Skills support string substitutions (`$ARGUMENTS`, `$N`, `${CLAUDE_SESSION_ID}`) and dynamic context injection (\`\!\`command\`\`) for even more powerful output customization. See main SKILL.md for details.

**SOURCE:** Based on Anthropic skill-creator examples (commit 69c0b1a) and skill design best practices.

## Template Pattern

Provide templates for output format. Match the level of strictness to your needs.

**For strict requirements (like API responses or data formats):**

```markdown
## Report structure

ALWAYS use this exact template structure:

# [Analysis Title]

## Executive summary
[One-paragraph overview of key findings]

## Key findings
- Finding 1 with supporting data
- Finding 2 with supporting data
- Finding 3 with supporting data

## Recommendations
1. Specific actionable recommendation
2. Specific actionable recommendation
```

**For flexible guidance (when adaptation is useful):**

```markdown
## Report structure

Here is a sensible default format, but use your best judgment:

# [Analysis Title]

## Executive summary
[Overview]

## Key findings
[Adapt sections based on what you discover]

## Recommendations
[Tailor to the specific context]

Adjust sections as needed for the specific analysis type.
```

## Examples Pattern

For skills where output quality depends on seeing examples, provide input/output pairs:

```markdown
## Commit message format

Generate commit messages following these examples:

**Example 1:**
Input: Added user authentication with JWT tokens
Output:
```

feat(auth): implement JWT-based authentication

Add login endpoint and token validation middleware

```

**Example 2:**
Input: Fixed bug where dates displayed incorrectly in reports
Output:
```

fix(reports): correct date formatting in timezone conversion

Use UTC timestamps consistently across report generation

```

Follow this style: type(scope): brief description, then detailed explanation.
```

Examples help Claude understand the desired style and level of detail more clearly than descriptions alone.