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update-instructions

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Update CLAUDE.md and AGENTS.md instruction files with smart merge. Preserves user customizations while updating SpecWeave sections. Use after plugin refresh, version upgrade, or when instruction files need sync. Activates for: update instructions, refresh claude.md, merge agents.md, sync instruction files, upgrade specweave config.

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Marketplace

specweave

anton-abyzov/specweave

Plugin

sw

development

Repository

anton-abyzov/specweave
27stars

plugins/specweave/skills/update-instructions/SKILL.md

Last Verified

January 25, 2026

Install Skill

Select agents to install to:

Scope:
npx add-skill https://github.com/anton-abyzov/specweave/blob/main/plugins/specweave/skills/update-instructions/SKILL.md -a claude-code --skill update-instructions

Installation paths:

Claude
.claude/skills/update-instructions/
Powered by add-skill CLI

Instructions

# Update Instructions Skill

Smart merge for CLAUDE.md and AGENTS.md instruction files.

## What It Does

1. **Reads existing instruction files** (if present)
2. **Parses SW-managed sections** (marked with `<!-- SW:SECTION:X -->`)
3. **Preserves user content** (anything between or after SW sections)
4. **Updates SW sections** with latest template content
5. **Writes merged result** back to file

## When to Use

- After running `specweave refresh-marketplace`
- After upgrading SpecWeave version (`npm update -g specweave`)
- When CLAUDE.md or AGENTS.md seem outdated
- To sync instruction files with latest framework features

## Usage

```
/sw:update-instructions
```

Or via CLI:
```bash
npx specweave update-instructions
```

## How Merge Works

### Fresh Install (no existing file)
Creates new file with all SW sections + meta header

### Legacy File (no SW markers)
Prepends new SW content, preserves original below separator

### Marked File (has SW markers)
Updates SW sections in-place, preserves user content between sections

## Section Format

Template sections (in `.template` files):
```markdown
<!-- SECTION:rules required -->
## Rules
Content here...
<!-- /SECTION -->
```

Generated sections (in output files):
```markdown
<!-- SW:META template="claude" version="1.0.0" sections="header,rules,..." -->

<!-- SW:SECTION:header version="1.0.0" -->
Content...
<!-- SW:END:header -->
```

## User Customization

Add custom content **between** SW sections or **after** the last section:
```markdown
<!-- SW:END:docs -->

## My Custom Section

This will be preserved during updates!
```

## Files Affected

- `CLAUDE.md` - Claude Code instruction file
- `AGENTS.md` - Generic AI tool instruction file

Validation Details

Front Matter
Required Fields
Valid Name Format
Valid Description
Has Sections
Allowed Tools
Instruction Length:
1692 chars