campaign-mode

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SPEC-CM-004-A: Skill File Structure and Conventions

Field	Value
Specification ID	SPEC-CM-004-A
Parent ADR	ADR-CM-004
Version	1.0
Status	Draft
Last Updated	2026-02-14

Overview

This specification defines the structure and conventions for Campaign Mode SKILL.md files. These conventions ensure consistency with Six Animals skills and compatibility with Claude Code’s skill discovery mechanism.

YAML Frontmatter

Every SKILL.md must begin with YAML frontmatter between --- delimiters:

---
name: {agent-name}
description: {Comprehensive one-line description. Must include invocation pattern.}
license: CC-BY-SA-4.0
metadata:
  author: {Author name}
  framework: Campaign Mode
  archetype: {Archetype name}
  role: {Brief role description}
  source: {Source material attribution}
---

Required Fields

Field	Purpose	Example
`name`	Skill identifier, used for invocation	`gandalf-agent`
`description`	Shown in skill discovery and help. Must include `/name` invocation pattern	`Campaign Mode Mentor NPC. ... Invoke with /gandalf-agent [topic].`
`license`	Content license	`CC-BY-SA-4.0`

Metadata Fields

Field	Purpose	Example
`author`	Primary author	`Chris Barlow`
`framework`	Parent framework	`Campaign Mode`
`archetype`	Character archetype	`Mentor`, `Adversary`, `Gatekeeper`
`role`	Functional role description	`Quest Framer / Strategic Counsel`
`source`	Source material attribution	`quest-agent (Quest Definition Framework) + simon-agent (Guide on the Side)`

Compatibility with Six Animals

Six Animals skills use these metadata fields that Campaign Mode extends:

Six Animals Field	Campaign Mode Equivalent
`framework: Six-Animal Model`	`framework: Campaign Mode`
`archetype: Visionary/Leader`	`archetype: Mentor`
`primary-need: Achievement (nAch)`	`role: Quest Framer / Strategic Counsel`
`sdt-focus: Competence`	`source: quest-agent + simon-agent`

Campaign Mode uses archetype, role, and source instead of McClelland’s needs and SDT focus, since NPCs are not modelled on motivation theory.

Body Structure

Required Sections (in order)

Title — # {Agent Name} - The {Archetype}
Overview — What this NPC is, its core role, when to use it
Foundation — The philosophical or pedagogical grounding (equivalent to Six Animals’ “Psychological Foundation”)
Core Capabilities — 3-5 capabilities, each with Process, Key Behaviours, and optionally Example Output
Interaction Patterns — How the NPC engages in different scenarios
Integration with Animals — How this NPC works with each of the six animal agents
Integration with NPCs — Relationship to the other two NPCs
Context Isolation — Statement of isolation level and what the NPC can/cannot access (for Dragon and Guardian)
Usage Guidelines — When and how to invoke, key mindset

Progressive Disclosure

Following the Claude Skills Guide principle of progressive disclosure:

Overview should be readable in 30 seconds and tell the user whether this is the right NPC
Core Capabilities provide the “how” for users who invoke the skill
Foundation and Integration sections provide depth for users who want to understand the design
Context Isolation is operational guidance for maintaining independence

Section Depth Guidelines

Section	Target Length	Priority
Overview	5-10 lines	Essential — this is what Claude reads first
Foundation	15-30 lines	Important — grounds the NPC’s behaviour
Core Capabilities	40-80 lines	Essential — defines what the NPC does
Interaction Patterns	20-40 lines	Important — scenario-specific guidance
Integration with Animals	10-20 lines	Useful — table format recommended
Integration with NPCs	5-15 lines	Useful — table format recommended
Context Isolation	5-15 lines	Essential for Dragon/Guardian
Usage Guidelines	5-10 lines	Essential — practical invocation guidance

Naming Conventions

Element	Convention	Example
Skill name	kebab-case, ends with `-agent`	`gandalf-agent`
Directory	matches skill name	`gandalf-agent/`
File	Always `SKILL.md` (uppercase)	`SKILL.md`
Invocation	`/` + skill name	`/gandalf-agent`

Consistency with Six Animals

Six Animals	Campaign Mode
`bear-agent`	`gandalf-agent`
`cat-agent`	`dragon-agent`
`simon-agent`	`guardian-agent`

The -agent suffix is consistent across both frameworks.

Cross-Surface Compatibility

Skills should work across all Claude surfaces:

Surface	How Skills Are Used
Claude Code (CLI)	Auto-discovered from `.claude/skills/`. Invoked via `/skill-name`.
Claude.ai	Copy SKILL.md content into project knowledge or system prompt.
Claude API	Include SKILL.md content in the system prompt.

To ensure cross-surface compatibility:

Do not rely on Claude Code-specific features (file access, bash commands) in skill instructions
Write skill instructions that work as standalone behavioural guidance
Avoid references to specific tool names or features that may not exist on all surfaces

Quality Checklist

Before publishing a Campaign Mode skill:

YAML frontmatter has all required fields
description includes invocation pattern
All required sections are present in correct order
File exists in both skills/ and .claude/skills/ locations
Skill name is kebab-case and ends with -agent
Integration sections reference all six animals and both other NPCs
Context isolation section is present (for Dragon and Guardian)
No cross-surface incompatibilities (no tool-specific references)
License is CC-BY-SA-4.0

Spec ID	Title	Relationship
SPEC-CM-001-A	Skill Architecture	Directory structure and installation
SPEC-CM-002-A	Gandalf Agent	Gandalf skill design
SPEC-CM-002-B	Dragon Agent	Dragon skill design
SPEC-CM-002-C	Guardian Agent	Guardian skill design

Changelog

Version	Date	Author	Changes
1.0	2026-02-14	Chris Barlow	Initial specification