intent-layer

Name: intent-layer - Agent Skill
Rating: 3.1 (30 reviews)
Author: crafter-station

Set up hierarchical Intent Layer (AGENTS.md files) for codebases. Use when initializing a new project, adding context infrastructure to an existing repo, user asks to set up AGENTS.md, add intent layer, make agents understand the codebase, or scaffolding AI-friendly project documentation.

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CLI Install

Recommended

Use the skills CLI to install this skill with one command. Auto-detects all installed AI assistants.

Method 1 - skills CLI

npx skills i crafter-station/skills/context-engineering/intent-layer

Method 2 - openskills (supports sync & update)

npx openskills install crafter-station/skills

Auto-detects Claude Code, Cursor, Codex CLI, Gemini CLI, and more. One install, works everywhere.

Installation Path

Download and extract to one of the following locations:

~/.claude/skills/intent-layer/

SKILL.md

references

scripts

Skill Instructions

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Claude Sonnet 4.5

$0.20/task

Best for coding tasks

Environment setup included

Intent Layer

Hierarchical AGENTS.md infrastructure so agents navigate codebases like senior engineers.

Core Principle

Only ONE root context file. CLAUDE.md and AGENTS.md should NOT coexist at project root. Child AGENTS.md in subdirectories are encouraged for complex subsystems.

Workflow

1. Detect state
   scripts/detect_state.sh /path/to/project
   → Returns: none | partial | complete

2. Route
   none/partial → Initial setup (steps 3-5)
   complete     → Maintenance (step 6)

3. Measure [gate - show table first]
   scripts/analyze_structure.sh /path/to/project
   scripts/estimate_tokens.sh /path/to/each/source/dir

4. Decide
   No root file  → Ask: CLAUDE.md or AGENTS.md?
   Has root file → Add Intent Layer section + child nodes if needed

5. Execute
   Use references/templates.md for structure
   Use references/node-examples.md for real-world patterns
   Validate: one root, READ-FIRST directive, <4k tokens per node

6. Maintenance mode (when state=complete)
   Ask user:
   a) Audit nodes     → Use references/capture-protocol.md for SME questions
   b) Find candidates → Re-measure tokens, suggest new nodes
   c) Both

When to Create Child Nodes

Signal	Action
>20k tokens in directory	Create AGENTS.md
Responsibility shift	Create AGENTS.md
Hidden contracts/invariants	Document in nearest ancestor
Cross-cutting concern	Place at LCA

Do NOT create for: every directory, simple utilities, test folders (unless complex).

Capture Questions

When documenting existing code, ask:

What does this area own? What's out of scope?
What invariants must never be violated?
What repeatedly confuses new engineers?
What patterns should always be followed?

Resources

Scripts:

scripts/detect_state.sh - Check Intent Layer state (none/partial/complete)
scripts/analyze_structure.sh - Find semantic boundaries
scripts/estimate_tokens.sh - Measure directory complexity

References:

references/templates.md - Root and child node templates
references/node-examples.md - Real-world examples
references/capture-protocol.md - SME interview protocol