How to turn any book into a Claude Skill in 5 mins:

(even if you've never built a skill before)

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1. Pick a book with a repeatable framework.

Skip fiction and memoirs. Test: "Can I describe the method in numbered steps?" If yes, it's skill-able.

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2. Answer 5 questions about the book.

The problem it solves. The steps in order.

The rules that repeat. The mistakes to avoid.

The questions the author asks the reader.

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3. Open Cowork. Use Opus 4.7 + Adaptive Thinking.

Paste this prompt:

Use the skill-creator to build a skill from [BOOK TITLE] by [AUTHOR].

The skill should activate when I ask Claude to [exact task. Example: validate a startup idea, plan a deep work week, write a brand story].

Method from the book:

- Steps: [paste]
- Rules the author repeats: [paste]
- Mistakes to avoid: [paste]
- Questions the author asks: [paste]

Do NOT use this skill for: [3 to 4 adjacent tasks. Example: general writing, unrelated business advice, book summaries].

Interview me on anything missing before generating the SKILL .md. Then run an evaluation.

4. Test the skill before you install.

Try 5 phrasings of the same request: "Does it fire?"

Try 3 unrelated requests: "Does it stay quiet?"

Read my free guide on skills: claude-skills.free

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5. Install. Settings → Capabilities → Skills → Upload.

Type your /command anywhere on Claude.

The skill runs.

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Pro tip: Build 2 skills per book.

Big books have two layers - split them.

/[book]-diagnose runs the book's questions on your situation.

/[book]-apply produces the output in the author's format.

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To download all of my other Claude infographics:

Step 1. Go to how-to-ai.guide.

Step 2. Subscribe for free. Don't pay anything.

Step 3. Open my welcome email (most skip this).

Step 4. Hit the automatic reply button inside.

Step 5. Download my infographics from my Notion.

Bonus. Enjoy my best copy-paste prompts, too.