How to use the Copy Editing agent skill (copy-editing)

What is an agent skill and what does this one do?

An agent skill is a folder of instructions that an AI agent loads when a task matches the skill's description. This one is defined in a SKILL.md file and supporting reference files.

When it triggers, the agent diagnoses your text first. It treats blank or generic text as a rebuild, real writing with a clear voice as a restoration, and a request about one line as a point edit. For full edits it runs seven sequential passes: Clarity, Voice and Tone, So What, Prove It, Specificity, Heightened Emotion and Zero Risk. After each pass it loops back to make sure earlier passes still hold.

• Removes common AI tells such as 'it's not X, it's Y' reveals and 'no X, no Y, no Z' lists.
• Flags claims that lack proof and suggests adding evidence or softening the claim.
• Changes only the requested line when you ask for a point edit.
• Uses your product marketing context file, if one exists, for brand voice and customer language.

How do you install the Copy Editing skill?

Download the ZIP for this skill from this page and unzip it. Then place the resulting folder in one of these locations, depending on how you use your agent.

In Claude apps you can instead upload the skill under Settings → Capabilities → Skills.

• Personal install: unzip into ~/.claude/skills/ so it is available across your projects.
• Project install: unzip into the .claude/skills/ folder inside a specific project.
• Claude apps: upload the skill under Settings → Capabilities → Skills.

How do you trigger the skill with natural requests?

You do not need a special command. Describe what you want in plain language and paste the copy. The skill is matched by the kinds of requests it describes, so phrases like the ones below are good starting points.

For a single line, say so. The agent will change only that line and return it with a reason, rather than sweeping the whole page.

• 'Review my copy and tell me what to fix.'
• 'Tighten this up, it's too wordy.'
• 'This reads awkwardly, can you clean up this text?'
• 'De-slop this and make it sound human.'
• 'Refresh this content, it's outdated.'
• 'Fix this headline.' (point edit)

What does a typical edit look like?

Suppose you paste a landing page headline and two paragraphs. The agent first decides which mode applies, then runs the sweeps and explains each change. Its aim is to keep your core message and your vocabulary where they work.

Specificity is a common fix. The skill's own examples show vague lines being made concrete, for instance replacing 'Fast results' with 'Results in 14 days' and 'Great support' with 'Response within 2 hours'. The agent only makes these changes if the facts are in your copy; it should not invent numbers.

What does the skill need and what are the safety notes?

The skill requires nothing beyond the agent itself. It does not run scripts and does not use the network, so it works only with the text you provide and the files it ships with.

Because it checks style and proof gaps but cannot verify facts, do not rely on it for legal, medical or other regulated claims that need expert review.

• Requires: nothing listed.
• Runs scripts: no.
• Uses network: no.
• Reads an optional product marketing context file if your setup has one.

What tips get the best results?

Give the agent context. Mention the audience and the goal, and include any product marketing context file so the edits match your brand voice.

For refreshes, tell the agent what has changed. The skill's refresh guidance covers freshness, accuracy and voice passes, and notes that stats more than 12 months old are a common trigger.

• Ask for a point edit when you only need one line changed.
• Paste the full page when you want a sweep across sections.
• Keep the original file so you can compare the changes.
• For new copy written from scratch, use the separate copywriting skill that this one references.