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Skill-Building Playbook

Everything you need to build, modify, and maintain Hermes skills. Full reference at /root/hermes-dashboard/public/SKILL_PLAYBOOK.md

Open Full Playbook

Key File Locations

What	Path
All skills	/root/.hermes/skills/
SOUL.md (routing)	/root/.hermes/SOUL.md
config.yaml	/root/.hermes/config.yaml
CRM database	/root/.hermes/crm.db
Pe-brand template	/root/.hermes/skills/productivity/pe-brand/templates/base_document.py
Generated documents	/root/.hermes/plans/
LOI generator	/root/.hermes/skills/pe-os/pe-acquisition-loi/generate_loi.py
Deal screener	/root/.hermes/skills/pe-os/deal-screener/SKILL.md
Agent memories	/root/.hermes/memories/
Dashboard public files	/root/hermes-dashboard/public/

Critical Technical Rules

Breaking these causes failures — some silent, some cryptic.

Rule	Correct	Wrong
Python env for docx	~/pptxenv/bin/python3	python3
Calling helpers	add_header_bar(doc, ...)	doc.add_header_bar(...)
Color to sf()	sf(180, 140, 30) — RGB tuple	sf('C8A84B') — hex string
Color to set_cell_bg()	set_cell_bg(cell, 'C8A84B') — no #	set_cell_bg(cell, '#C8A84B')
File delivery	MEDIA:/absolute/path/file.docx	Any other method
Document creation	doc.save() in Python script	write_file tool
Delegation	Agent runs script directly	Delegate doc creation to subagent
Script retry limit	Max 2 retries on same error	Endless retry loop

Type A — Instruction Skills

Pure markdown instructions. Agent reads and behaves accordingly. Best for behavioral guidance, context, and reference info.

Examples

pe-os/pe-investment-thesis

creative/stop-slop

pe-os/pe-buy-box

pe-os/pe-100-day-playbook

Agent re-invents approach each session. Good for reference info, not repeatable workflows.

Type B — Script-Backed Skills

SKILL.md tells agent to run a Python script on disk. Far more reliable — deterministic output, specific errors, easy to test.

Examples

pe-os/pe-acquisition-loi → generate_loi.py

pe-os/deal-screener → extract.py + post.py

productivity/pe-brand → base_document.py

Code fixed on disk. Errors specific and fixable. Output deterministic. Preferred for all document generation.

How to Build a New Script-Backed Skill

Create the directory

mkdir -p /root/.hermes/skills/pe-os/my-new-skill

Write the Python generator script

Copy helpers from base_document.py. Use ~/pptxenv/bin/python3 always. Target: runs in <5s, output >30KB.

~/pptxenv/bin/python3 /root/.hermes/skills/pe-os/my-new-skill/generate_X.py --deal-id 2

Write the SKILL.md

Frontmatter with name, description, version, tags, trigger. Body: 4-step workflow — (1) identify target, (2) run script via execute_code, (3) verify size >30KB, (4) deliver with MEDIA:

Add routing to SOUL.md

Edit /root/.hermes/SOUL.md. Add routing section BEFORE "CRM Queries". Include exact trigger phrases.

Test in Hermes Slack

Say the trigger phrase. Confirm the document is delivered in-thread. Verify the file opens correctly.

SOUL.md Routing Priority

Skills are matched top-to-bottom. First match wins. Insert new skills above CRM Queries.

HIGHEST

Deal Screening

screen, screening, protocol, analyze this deal, deal PDF

LOI Generation

LOI, letter of intent, draft LOI, generate LOI

Documents (General)

any .docx, report, brief, plan, showcase request

↓ NEW

Insert your new skill here

Add before CRM Queries to prevent catch-all from intercepting

CATCH-ALL

CRM Queries

deals, pipeline, investors, operators, contacts

SKILL.md Frontmatter Reference

---
name: skill-name          # must match folder name exactly
description: >-           # one sentence — what it does
  Short description here.
version: 1.0.0            # increment on meaningful changes
tags: [tag1, tag2, tag3]  # free-form tags
trigger: Trigger phrase   # when agent should auto-load this skill
---

name: Must exactly match the folder name. Mismatches cause skill_view failures.

trigger: Must also be echoed in SOUL.md routing. Keep both in sync.

version: Patch = bug fix, Minor = new feature, Major = architecture change.