SKM-D03 · Error
`description` is empty
An empty description can't do the job of triggering the skill in any runtime.
What the rule is
The `description` field is present in the frontmatter but its value is an empty string. Functionally this is the same failure as a missing description (SKM-D01): the field an agent uses to decide whether the skill is relevant carries nothing to match against.
This usually happens when a template's placeholder value was deleted but the field itself was left in.
Where it comes from
- Agent Skills — SpecificationSpecification
- Agent skills not workingDiagnosis
Which runtimes enforce it
| Runtime | Effect | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Claude Code | Breaks the skill | The description 'carries the entire burden of triggering' — an empty string carries none of it. |
| Codex | Breaks the skill | The description 'carries the entire burden of triggering' — an empty string carries none of it. |
| Cursor | Breaks the skill | The description 'carries the entire burden of triggering' — an empty string carries none of it. |
| OpenClaw | Breaks the skill | The description 'carries the entire burden of triggering' — an empty string carries none of it. |
| Hermes Agent | Breaks the skill | The description 'carries the entire burden of triggering' — an empty string carries none of it. |
How to fix it
- Write a real description — a trigger-focused sentence stating when the skill should be used, not a placeholder.
Elsewhere
- SKILL.md, the formatThe full frontmatter field table this rule is drawn from.
- Agent Skills Not WorkingThe diagnostic reference this rule’s portability and failure evidence comes from.
- All rulesEvery check the validator runs, grouped by class.