Skill Sync - Cross-Tool Knowledge Sharing

You are an expert at syncing Claude Skills with other AI coding assistants (Cursor, GitHub Copilot, Codeium, etc.) to create a unified knowledge base. This skill helps maximize the value of documented knowledge across your entire development toolchain.

What is Skill Sync?

Skill Sync enables:

• Sharing skill knowledge with other AI tools
• Creating cross-references in tool configs
• Maintaining unified project context
• Reducing duplicate documentation
• Ensuring consistent guidance across tools

When to Use This Skill

Invoke this skill when the user:

• Wants to share skills with Cursor, Copilot, or other tools
• Asks to create .cursorrules or similar configs
• Needs unified AI context across multiple assistants
• Wants to reference skills in other tools
• Asks about cross-tool integration
• Needs to sync project knowledge between AI assistants

Supported Tools

1. Cursor

Configuration Method: .cursorrules file

Cursor reads .cursorrules in the project root for context and instructions.

Capabilities:

• Markdown-based instructions
• Project-specific context
• Code style guidelines
• Framework preferences

2. GitHub Copilot

Configuration Method: Inline comments and project structure

Copilot learns from:

• Existing code patterns
• Comments and docstrings
• File organization
• README and documentation

Limitations:

• No dedicated config file (as of 2025)
• Context comes from open files
• Less explicit guidance than Cursor

3. Codeium

Configuration Method: Project documentation

Codeium uses:

• README.md and docs/
• Code comments
• Existing patterns

4. Continue.dev

Configuration Method: .continuerc.json or config.json

Continue supports:

• Custom context providers
• Documentation references
• Project-specific prompts

5. Tabnine

Configuration Method: Inline patterns

Tabnine learns from:

• Codebase patterns
• Team standards (enterprise)

Sync Strategies

Strategy 1: Reference-Based (Recommended)

Concept: Other tools reference Claude Skills without duplicating content.

Benefits:

• Single source of truth (Claude Skills)
• Easy to maintain
• No duplication
• Clear ownership

Implementation:

# .cursorrules

This project uses Claude Skills for detailed technical guidance.

## Framework Guidance

For Textual TUI development patterns, see:
- `.claude/skills/textual/SKILL.md` - Core concepts and patterns
- `.claude/skills/textual/quick-reference.md` - Quick lookups

When suggesting Textual code:
1. Follow patterns in `.claude/skills/textual/`
2. Use semantic color variables ($primary, $error, etc.)
3. Prefer composition over inheritance
4. Use reactive attributes for state

## Git Hook Management

For git hook configuration with hk, see:
- `.claude/skills/hk/SKILL.md` - Setup and patterns
- `.claude/skills/hk/reference.md` - Detailed options

## Testing Patterns

For pytest conventions, see:
- `.claude/skills/pytest-patterns/` (if exists)

Strategy 2: Summary-Based

Concept: Create condensed summaries of skills for other tools.

Benefits:

• Self-contained for each tool
• No file path dependencies
• Works with limited context windows

Implementation:

# .cursorrules

## Textual TUI Framework

This project uses Textual for building terminal UIs.

### Key Patterns
- Use reactive attributes for state: `count = reactive(0)`
- Follow "attributes down, messages up" for widget communication
- Use external CSS files for styling
- Always await async operations: `await self.mount(widget)`

### Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Don't modify reactives in __init__ (use on_mount)
- Always use `await pilot.pause()` in tests
- Don't block the event loop (use @work decorator)

For comprehensive guidance: `.claude/skills/textual/`

[More condensed summaries...]

Strategy 3: Shared Documentation

Concept: Create a central docs/ directory that all tools reference.

Benefits:

• Clear documentation structure
• Easy for humans to read
• Tools can reference same files
• Good for team onboarding

Structure:

docs/
├── frameworks/
│   ├── textual.md          # Extracted from Claude Skill
│   └── pytest.md
├── patterns/
│   ├── testing.md
│   └── async.md
└── conventions/
    ├── code-style.md
    └── git-workflow.md

.cursorrules                 # References docs/*
.claude/skills/              # Detailed skills

Implementation Guides

Creating .cursorrules

Basic Template:

# Project: [Project Name]

## Overview

[Brief project description]

## Tech Stack

- **Framework**: Textual (TUI framework)
- **Testing**: pytest with async support
- **Tools**: hk (git hooks), ruff (linting)

## AI Guidance Sources

This project maintains detailed knowledge in Claude Skills (`.claude/skills/`).

For comprehensive guidance on:
- **Textual framework**: `.claude/skills/textual/`
- **Git hooks (hk)**: `.claude/skills/hk/`
- **[Other skills]**: `.claude/skills/[name]/`

## Key Patterns

### Textual Development

1. **Widget Structure**
   ```python
   class MyWidget(Widget):
       count = reactive(0)

       def compose(self) -> ComposeResult:
           yield ChildWidget()

2. Testing Pattern

   async with app.run_test() as pilot:
       await pilot.click("#button")
       await pilot.pause()  # Critical!
   

3. CSS Styling

   • Use semantic colors: $primary, $error, $success
   • FR units for flexible sizing: width: 1fr;
   • Dock for fixed elements: dock: top;

Code Quality

• Run hk check before committing
• All tests must pass
• Type hints required
• Use ruff for formatting

Common Mistakes

• ❌ Don't modify reactives in __init__
• ❌ Don't forget await pilot.pause() in tests
• ❌ Don't block the event loop
• ✅ Use @work decorator for async operations
• ✅ Use set_reactive() for init-time values

Project Structure

src/
├── app.py              # Main app
├── screens/            # Screen classes
├── widgets/            # Custom widgets
└── business_logic/     # Separate from UI

Additional Context

For detailed explanations, examples, and troubleshooting:

1. Check relevant skill in .claude/skills/
2. Refer to framework documentation
3. See examples in existing codebase

### Integrating with Cursor AI

**Step 1: Create .cursorrules**

```bash
# Generate .cursorrules from skills
cat > .cursorrules << 'EOF'
# [Content from template above]
EOF

Step 2: Test Integration

1. Open project in Cursor
2. Ask Cursor: "How should I create a Textual widget?"
3. Verify it references patterns from .cursorrules

Step 3: Maintain Sync

When updating skills:

# Update .cursorrules with key changes
# Keep it concise - full details stay in .claude/skills/

Integrating with GitHub Copilot

Copilot learns from context, so:

Step 1: Add Context Comments

# This project uses Textual TUI framework
# Follow patterns in .claude/skills/textual/
# Key principle: "attributes down, messages up"

from textual.app import App
from textual.widget import Widget

Step 2: Create Documentation File

# docs/COPILOT_CONTEXT.md

## Development Context for AI Assistants

This file provides context for GitHub Copilot and similar tools.

### Framework: Textual

We use Textual for building terminal UIs. Key patterns:

[Include condensed patterns from skills]

For full details: `.claude/skills/textual/`

Step 3: Reference in README

# README.md

## For AI Assistants

Development guidance is available in:
- `.claude/skills/` - Comprehensive Claude Skills
- `docs/COPILOT_CONTEXT.md` - Quick reference for all AI tools

Integrating with Continue.dev

Step 1: Create Context Provider

// .continue/config.json
{
  "contextProviders": [
    {
      "name": "skills",
      "type": "file",
      "params": {
        "patterns": [
          ".claude/skills/*/SKILL.md",
          ".claude/skills/*/quick-reference.md"
        ]
      }
    }
  ]
}

Step 2: Configure Custom Commands

{
  "customCommands": [
    {
      "name": "textual-help",
      "prompt": "Refer to .claude/skills/textual/ and help with: {input}",
      "description": "Get Textual framework help"
    }
  ]
}

Sync Maintenance Workflow

When Creating a New Skill

1. Create Claude Skill (primary source)

   mkdir -p .claude/skills/new-skill
   # Create SKILL.md, etc.
   

2. Update .cursorrules (if needed)

   ## New Skill Topic
   
   Brief summary...
   
   For details: `.claude/skills/new-skill/`
   

3. Update docs/ (if using shared docs)

   # Extract key points to docs/
   # Keep synchronized
   

4. Test cross-tool

   • Ask Claude and Cursor same question
   • Verify consistent guidance

When Updating an Existing Skill

1. Update Claude Skill first

   # Edit .claude/skills/skill-name/SKILL.md
   

2. Review impact on other tools

   • Check if .cursorrules needs updates
   • Update summary content
   • Sync shared docs

3. Test changes

   • Verify updated guidance works
   • Check for contradictions

Regular Sync Checks

Monthly:

• Review .cursorrules for accuracy
• Check shared docs are current
• Test sample queries across tools

Quarterly:

• Full audit of cross-tool consistency
• Update summaries with new patterns
• Refactor if needed

File Organization

Recommended Structure

project/
├── .cursorrules                    # Cursor AI context
├── .claude/
│   ├── skills/                     # Primary knowledge base
│   │   ├── textual/
│   │   ├── hk/
│   │   └── ...
│   └── settings.local.json
├── docs/
│   ├── COPILOT_CONTEXT.md         # Context for Copilot
│   ├── AI_GUIDANCE.md             # General AI context
│   └── frameworks/                # Shared framework docs
├── README.md                       # References AI guidance
└── CONTRIBUTING.md                 # Development guidelines

File Responsibilities

File	Purpose	Audience	Detail Level
.claude/skills/	Comprehensive skills	Claude Code	High
.cursorrules	Cursor context	Cursor AI	Medium
docs/COPILOT_CONTEXT.md	Copilot context	GitHub Copilot	Medium
docs/AI_GUIDANCE.md	General AI context	All AI tools	Low-Medium
README.md	Project overview	Humans & AI	Low

Advanced Patterns

Dynamic Context Generation

Create scripts to generate tool configs from skills:

# scripts/generate_cursorrules.py

"""Generate .cursorrules from Claude Skills."""

import re
from pathlib import Path

def extract_key_concepts(skill_md: str) -> str:
    """Extract core concepts from SKILL.md."""
    # Parse markdown, extract key sections
    # Create condensed summary
    pass

def generate_cursorrules():
    """Generate .cursorrules from all skills."""
    skills_dir = Path(".claude/skills")

    output = ["# Project AI Context\n"]
    output.append("Generated from Claude Skills\n\n")

    for skill_dir in skills_dir.iterdir():
        if skill_dir.is_dir():
            skill_md = skill_dir / "SKILL.md"
            if skill_md.exists():
                concepts = extract_key_concepts(skill_md.read_text())
                output.append(f"## {skill_dir.name}\n")
                output.append(concepts)
                output.append(f"\nDetails: `.claude/skills/{skill_dir.name}/`\n\n")

    Path(".cursorrules").write_text("".join(output))

if __name__ == "__main__":
    generate_cursorrules()

Usage:

# Regenerate .cursorrules from skills
python scripts/generate_cursorrules.py

# Add to git hooks
cat >> hk.pkl << 'EOF'
["sync-cursorrules"] {
  glob = ".claude/skills/**/*.md"
  fix = "python scripts/generate_cursorrules.py"
  stage = ".cursorrules"
}
EOF

Version-Aware Syncing

Track which skill versions are synced:

# .cursorrules

<!-- Generated from Claude Skills -->
<!-- Last updated: 2025-01-09 -->
<!-- Sources:
  - textual: v2.0 (2025-01-09)
  - hk: v1.0 (2024-11-08)
-->

[Content...]

Tool-Specific Sections

Different tools have different capabilities:

# .cursorrules

## Core Patterns
[Universal guidance for all tools]

## Cursor-Specific
[Advanced features only Cursor supports]

## Copilot Context
If using GitHub Copilot, note:
- [Copilot-specific guidance]

## Continue.dev Context
If using Continue:
- Use @skills context provider
- Run `textual-help` custom command

Best Practices

Do's

• ✅ Keep .claude/skills/ as the source of truth
• ✅ Use references rather than duplication
• ✅ Maintain consistent terminology across tools
• ✅ Test guidance with actual queries
• ✅ Update all synced files together
• ✅ Document sync strategy in README
• ✅ Automate sync when possible

Don'ts

• ❌ Duplicate entire skills in .cursorrules
• ❌ Create contradictory guidance
• ❌ Let synced files become outdated
• ❌ Over-complicate sync process
• ❌ Ignore tool-specific limitations
• ❌ Make .cursorrules too long (> 2000 lines)

Troubleshooting

Tools Give Different Guidance

Problem: Cursor says one thing, Claude says another

Solutions:

1. Check if .cursorrules is outdated
2. Verify skill has been updated
3. Ensure consistent terminology
4. Update synced files
5. Test queries in both tools

.cursorrules Too Large

Problem: File becomes unwieldy (> 2000 lines)

Solutions:

1. Use more references, less duplication
2. Extract to docs/ directory
3. Keep only critical patterns
4. Link to full skills
5. Consider multiple .cursorrules (if tool supports)

Sync Maintenance Burden

Problem: Keeping files in sync is tedious

Solutions:

1. Automate with scripts
2. Use git hooks (via hk)
3. Add to CI checks
4. Reduce duplication
5. Only sync high-value content

Tool Not Using Context

Problem: AI tool ignores .cursorrules or docs

Solutions:

1. Verify file location (must be project root)
2. Check file format and syntax
3. Restart IDE/tool
4. Test with explicit references
5. Check tool's documentation for context handling

Integration Examples

Example 1: Textual TUI Project

Setup:

# 1. Claude Skills (detailed)
.claude/skills/textual/
├── SKILL.md               # Comprehensive guide
├── quick-reference.md     # Quick lookups
└── guide.md              # Deep dive

# 2. Cursor context (condensed)
.cursorrules              # Key patterns + reference to skills

# 3. Shared docs (optional)
docs/
└── frameworks/
    └── textual.md        # Human-readable summary

.cursorrules excerpt:

## Textual Framework

Building TUI apps with Textual.

### Core Pattern: Reactive Attributes
```python
class Counter(Widget):
    count = reactive(0)  # Auto-refreshes UI

Testing Pattern

async with app.run_test() as pilot:
    await pilot.click("#button")
    await pilot.pause()  # Essential!

Full details: .claude/skills/textual/

### Example 2: Multi-Framework Project

**Project uses:** Django + React + PostgreSQL

**Strategy:** Separate skills, unified .cursorrules

```markdown
# .cursorrules

## Backend (Django)

Patterns: `.claude/skills/django/`

Key points:
- Use class-based views
- Prefer serializers over manual JSON
- [...]

## Frontend (React)

Patterns: `.claude/skills/react/`

Key points:
- Functional components with hooks
- Use Context for global state
- [...]

## Database (PostgreSQL)

Patterns: `.claude/skills/postgres/`

Key points:
- Use migrations for schema changes
- Optimize queries with indexes
- [...]

Templates

Minimal .cursorrules Template

# [Project Name]

## Overview
[Brief description]

## AI Knowledge Base

Comprehensive guidance in `.claude/skills/`:
- **[skill-1]**: [brief description]
- **[skill-2]**: [brief description]

## Key Patterns

### [Topic 1]
[2-3 line summary]
Details: `.claude/skills/[skill-name]/`

### [Topic 2]
[2-3 line summary]
Details: `.claude/skills/[skill-name]/`

## Quick Reference

[Essential commands/patterns only]

For comprehensive help, see Claude Skills in `.claude/skills/`

Comprehensive .cursorrules Template

See full template in supporting documentation (if created).

Instructions for Using This Skill

When helping users sync skills:

1. Assess current setup: What tools are they using?
2. Choose strategy: Reference-based, summary-based, or shared docs?
3. Implement sync: Create .cursorrules or equivalent
4. Test integration: Verify tools use the context
5. Document approach: Explain sync strategy in README
6. Automate if possible: Create scripts for maintenance

Always consider:

• What tools does the team use?
• How much duplication is acceptable?
• How will sync be maintained?
• What's the right level of detail for each tool?

Additional Resources

Related skills:

• skill-manager: Creating and updating skills
• skill-analyzer: Identifying needed skills

Version Notes

This skill reflects integration patterns as of January 2025. Tool capabilities and configuration methods may evolve.