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lesson-md Skill

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The lesson-md skill is a free, open package that teaches an AI assistant the LESSON.md format. With it installed, you can ask Claude (or another AI agent) to write a lesson, build a scored assessment, or turn rough material into a complete course, and get back files that import straight into Slate.

It is built on the open agent skills format: a SKILL.md instruction file plus reference docs, templates, and validation scripts, all in one folder. Any AI tool that supports skills can use it.

What it produces

Section titled “What it produces”

The skill knows the full LESSON.md v1.6 format and produces three things, ready to import into Slate:

  • A single lesson as a .md file, to drop into a course section
  • A scored assessment as an ASSESSMENT.md file
  • A full course as a .zip bundle, to create a new course in one step

Because the format knowledge is built in, the AI does not need the template pasted in, picks block types deliberately instead of generically, and checks its own output against the format before handing it over.

What you can ask for

Section titled “What you can ask for”

Once the skill is installed, plain requests are enough. The skill activates automatically when you mention courses, lessons, assessments, or LESSON.md. For example:

Make a course about onboarding new retail employees. Keep it to about 20 minutes.

Turn this outline into a Slate course. [paste your outline]

Write a 10-question assessment on workplace fire safety, with a 75% passing score.

Convert these meeting notes into a lesson with a knowledge check at the end.

The skill will clarify the topic, audience, and format if a request is vague, plan the structure, write the content, and deliver a finished file.

Install it in the Claude app

Section titled “Install it in the Claude app”

The simplest way to use the skill is in the Claude desktop app:

  1. Download the latest lesson-md skill package (a .zip file) from lesson.md.
  2. In Claude, open Customize and select Skills.
  3. Click the + button, choose Create skill, then Upload a skill.
  4. Select the .zip file you downloaded.

The skill appears under your personal skills and activates on its own whenever you ask for course content. There is nothing else to configure.

Other AI tools

Section titled “Other AI tools”

The skill is plain Markdown and standard Python, so it is not tied to one assistant:

  • Claude Code - place the skill folder in your skills/ directory and it is discovered automatically.
  • Codex and other agents - point the agent at the skill’s SKILL.md file, or reference it from the project’s agent-instructions file.

Download the skill package from lesson.md.

Review before importing

Section titled “Review before importing”

The skill validates its output against the LESSON.md format, but it cannot judge whether the content is correct. AI-generated lessons and assessments should always be reviewed for accuracy before you import and publish them, the same as any other AI-generated content.

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