hermes / tools /skill_manager_tool.py
lenson78's picture
initial upload: v2026.3.23 with HF Spaces deployment
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#!/usr/bin/env python3
"""
Skill Manager Tool -- Agent-Managed Skill Creation & Editing
Allows the agent to create, update, and delete skills, turning successful
approaches into reusable procedural knowledge. New skills are created in
~/.hermes/skills/. Existing skills (bundled, hub-installed, or user-created)
can be modified or deleted wherever they live.
Skills are the agent's procedural memory: they capture *how to do a specific
type of task* based on proven experience. General memory (MEMORY.md, USER.md) is
broad and declarative. Skills are narrow and actionable.
Actions:
create -- Create a new skill (SKILL.md + directory structure)
edit -- Replace the SKILL.md content of a user skill (full rewrite)
patch -- Targeted find-and-replace within SKILL.md or any supporting file
delete -- Remove a user skill entirely
write_file -- Add/overwrite a supporting file (reference, template, script, asset)
remove_file-- Remove a supporting file from a user skill
Directory layout for user skills:
~/.hermes/skills/
β”œβ”€β”€ my-skill/
β”‚ β”œβ”€β”€ SKILL.md
β”‚ β”œβ”€β”€ references/
β”‚ β”œβ”€β”€ templates/
β”‚ β”œβ”€β”€ scripts/
β”‚ └── assets/
└── category-name/
└── another-skill/
└── SKILL.md
"""
import json
import logging
import os
import re
import shutil
import tempfile
from pathlib import Path
from typing import Dict, Any, Optional
logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
# Import security scanner β€” agent-created skills get the same scrutiny as
# community hub installs.
try:
from tools.skills_guard import scan_skill, should_allow_install, format_scan_report
_GUARD_AVAILABLE = True
except ImportError:
_GUARD_AVAILABLE = False
def _security_scan_skill(skill_dir: Path) -> Optional[str]:
"""Scan a skill directory after write. Returns error string if blocked, else None."""
if not _GUARD_AVAILABLE:
return None
try:
result = scan_skill(skill_dir, source="agent-created")
allowed, reason = should_allow_install(result)
if allowed is False:
report = format_scan_report(result)
return f"Security scan blocked this skill ({reason}):\n{report}"
if allowed is None:
# "ask" β€” allow but include the warning so the user sees the findings
report = format_scan_report(result)
logger.warning("Agent-created skill has security findings: %s", reason)
# Don't block β€” return None to allow, but log the warning
return None
except Exception as e:
logger.warning("Security scan failed for %s: %s", skill_dir, e, exc_info=True)
return None
import yaml
# All skills live in ~/.hermes/skills/ (single source of truth)
HERMES_HOME = Path(os.getenv("HERMES_HOME", Path.home() / ".hermes"))
SKILLS_DIR = HERMES_HOME / "skills"
MAX_NAME_LENGTH = 64
MAX_DESCRIPTION_LENGTH = 1024
# Characters allowed in skill names (filesystem-safe, URL-friendly)
VALID_NAME_RE = re.compile(r'^[a-z0-9][a-z0-9._-]*$')
# Subdirectories allowed for write_file/remove_file
ALLOWED_SUBDIRS = {"references", "templates", "scripts", "assets"}
def check_skill_manage_requirements() -> bool:
"""Skill management has no external requirements -- always available."""
return True
# =============================================================================
# Validation helpers
# =============================================================================
def _validate_name(name: str) -> Optional[str]:
"""Validate a skill name. Returns error message or None if valid."""
if not name:
return "Skill name is required."
if len(name) > MAX_NAME_LENGTH:
return f"Skill name exceeds {MAX_NAME_LENGTH} characters."
if not VALID_NAME_RE.match(name):
return (
f"Invalid skill name '{name}'. Use lowercase letters, numbers, "
f"hyphens, dots, and underscores. Must start with a letter or digit."
)
return None
def _validate_frontmatter(content: str) -> Optional[str]:
"""
Validate that SKILL.md content has proper frontmatter with required fields.
Returns error message or None if valid.
"""
if not content.strip():
return "Content cannot be empty."
if not content.startswith("---"):
return "SKILL.md must start with YAML frontmatter (---). See existing skills for format."
end_match = re.search(r'\n---\s*\n', content[3:])
if not end_match:
return "SKILL.md frontmatter is not closed. Ensure you have a closing '---' line."
yaml_content = content[3:end_match.start() + 3]
try:
parsed = yaml.safe_load(yaml_content)
except yaml.YAMLError as e:
return f"YAML frontmatter parse error: {e}"
if not isinstance(parsed, dict):
return "Frontmatter must be a YAML mapping (key: value pairs)."
if "name" not in parsed:
return "Frontmatter must include 'name' field."
if "description" not in parsed:
return "Frontmatter must include 'description' field."
if len(str(parsed["description"])) > MAX_DESCRIPTION_LENGTH:
return f"Description exceeds {MAX_DESCRIPTION_LENGTH} characters."
body = content[end_match.end() + 3:].strip()
if not body:
return "SKILL.md must have content after the frontmatter (instructions, procedures, etc.)."
return None
def _resolve_skill_dir(name: str, category: str = None) -> Path:
"""Build the directory path for a new skill, optionally under a category."""
if category:
return SKILLS_DIR / category / name
return SKILLS_DIR / name
def _find_skill(name: str) -> Optional[Dict[str, Any]]:
"""
Find a skill by name in ~/.hermes/skills/.
Returns {"path": Path} or None.
"""
if not SKILLS_DIR.exists():
return None
for skill_md in SKILLS_DIR.rglob("SKILL.md"):
if skill_md.parent.name == name:
return {"path": skill_md.parent}
return None
def _validate_file_path(file_path: str) -> Optional[str]:
"""
Validate a file path for write_file/remove_file.
Must be under an allowed subdirectory and not escape the skill dir.
"""
if not file_path:
return "file_path is required."
normalized = Path(file_path)
# Prevent path traversal
if ".." in normalized.parts:
return "Path traversal ('..') is not allowed."
# Must be under an allowed subdirectory
if not normalized.parts or normalized.parts[0] not in ALLOWED_SUBDIRS:
allowed = ", ".join(sorted(ALLOWED_SUBDIRS))
return f"File must be under one of: {allowed}. Got: '{file_path}'"
# Must have a filename (not just a directory)
if len(normalized.parts) < 2:
return f"Provide a file path, not just a directory. Example: '{normalized.parts[0]}/myfile.md'"
return None
def _atomic_write_text(file_path: Path, content: str, encoding: str = "utf-8") -> None:
"""
Atomically write text content to a file.
Uses a temporary file in the same directory and os.replace() to ensure
the target file is never left in a partially-written state if the process
crashes or is interrupted.
Args:
file_path: Target file path
content: Content to write
encoding: Text encoding (default: utf-8)
"""
file_path.parent.mkdir(parents=True, exist_ok=True)
fd, temp_path = tempfile.mkstemp(
dir=str(file_path.parent),
prefix=f".{file_path.name}.tmp.",
suffix="",
)
try:
with os.fdopen(fd, "w", encoding=encoding) as f:
f.write(content)
os.replace(temp_path, file_path)
except Exception:
# Clean up temp file on error
try:
os.unlink(temp_path)
except OSError:
logger.error("Failed to remove temporary file %s during atomic write", temp_path, exc_info=True)
raise
# =============================================================================
# Core actions
# =============================================================================
def _create_skill(name: str, content: str, category: str = None) -> Dict[str, Any]:
"""Create a new user skill with SKILL.md content."""
# Validate name
err = _validate_name(name)
if err:
return {"success": False, "error": err}
# Validate content
err = _validate_frontmatter(content)
if err:
return {"success": False, "error": err}
# Check for name collisions across all directories
existing = _find_skill(name)
if existing:
return {
"success": False,
"error": f"A skill named '{name}' already exists at {existing['path']}."
}
# Create the skill directory
skill_dir = _resolve_skill_dir(name, category)
skill_dir.mkdir(parents=True, exist_ok=True)
# Write SKILL.md atomically
skill_md = skill_dir / "SKILL.md"
_atomic_write_text(skill_md, content)
# Security scan β€” roll back on block
scan_error = _security_scan_skill(skill_dir)
if scan_error:
shutil.rmtree(skill_dir, ignore_errors=True)
return {"success": False, "error": scan_error}
result = {
"success": True,
"message": f"Skill '{name}' created.",
"path": str(skill_dir.relative_to(SKILLS_DIR)),
"skill_md": str(skill_md),
}
if category:
result["category"] = category
result["hint"] = (
"To add reference files, templates, or scripts, use "
"skill_manage(action='write_file', name='{}', file_path='references/example.md', file_content='...')".format(name)
)
return result
def _edit_skill(name: str, content: str) -> Dict[str, Any]:
"""Replace the SKILL.md of any existing skill (full rewrite)."""
err = _validate_frontmatter(content)
if err:
return {"success": False, "error": err}
existing = _find_skill(name)
if not existing:
return {"success": False, "error": f"Skill '{name}' not found. Use skills_list() to see available skills."}
skill_md = existing["path"] / "SKILL.md"
# Back up original content for rollback
original_content = skill_md.read_text(encoding="utf-8") if skill_md.exists() else None
_atomic_write_text(skill_md, content)
# Security scan β€” roll back on block
scan_error = _security_scan_skill(existing["path"])
if scan_error:
if original_content is not None:
_atomic_write_text(skill_md, original_content)
return {"success": False, "error": scan_error}
return {
"success": True,
"message": f"Skill '{name}' updated.",
"path": str(existing["path"]),
}
def _patch_skill(
name: str,
old_string: str,
new_string: str,
file_path: str = None,
replace_all: bool = False,
) -> Dict[str, Any]:
"""Targeted find-and-replace within a skill file.
Defaults to SKILL.md. Use file_path to patch a supporting file instead.
Requires a unique match unless replace_all is True.
"""
if not old_string:
return {"success": False, "error": "old_string is required for 'patch'."}
if new_string is None:
return {"success": False, "error": "new_string is required for 'patch'. Use an empty string to delete matched text."}
existing = _find_skill(name)
if not existing:
return {"success": False, "error": f"Skill '{name}' not found."}
skill_dir = existing["path"]
if file_path:
# Patching a supporting file
err = _validate_file_path(file_path)
if err:
return {"success": False, "error": err}
target = skill_dir / file_path
else:
# Patching SKILL.md
target = skill_dir / "SKILL.md"
if not target.exists():
return {"success": False, "error": f"File not found: {target.relative_to(skill_dir)}"}
content = target.read_text(encoding="utf-8")
count = content.count(old_string)
if count == 0:
# Show a short preview of the file so the model can self-correct
preview = content[:500] + ("..." if len(content) > 500 else "")
return {
"success": False,
"error": "old_string not found in the file.",
"file_preview": preview,
}
if count > 1 and not replace_all:
return {
"success": False,
"error": (
f"old_string matched {count} times. Provide more surrounding context "
f"to make the match unique, or set replace_all=true to replace all occurrences."
),
"match_count": count,
}
new_content = content.replace(old_string, new_string) if replace_all else content.replace(old_string, new_string, 1)
# If patching SKILL.md, validate frontmatter is still intact
if not file_path:
err = _validate_frontmatter(new_content)
if err:
return {
"success": False,
"error": f"Patch would break SKILL.md structure: {err}",
}
original_content = content # for rollback
_atomic_write_text(target, new_content)
# Security scan β€” roll back on block
scan_error = _security_scan_skill(skill_dir)
if scan_error:
_atomic_write_text(target, original_content)
return {"success": False, "error": scan_error}
replacements = count if replace_all else 1
return {
"success": True,
"message": f"Patched {'SKILL.md' if not file_path else file_path} in skill '{name}' ({replacements} replacement{'s' if replacements > 1 else ''}).",
}
def _delete_skill(name: str) -> Dict[str, Any]:
"""Delete a skill."""
existing = _find_skill(name)
if not existing:
return {"success": False, "error": f"Skill '{name}' not found."}
skill_dir = existing["path"]
shutil.rmtree(skill_dir)
# Clean up empty category directories (don't remove SKILLS_DIR itself)
parent = skill_dir.parent
if parent != SKILLS_DIR and parent.exists() and not any(parent.iterdir()):
parent.rmdir()
return {
"success": True,
"message": f"Skill '{name}' deleted.",
}
def _write_file(name: str, file_path: str, file_content: str) -> Dict[str, Any]:
"""Add or overwrite a supporting file within any skill directory."""
err = _validate_file_path(file_path)
if err:
return {"success": False, "error": err}
if not file_content and file_content != "":
return {"success": False, "error": "file_content is required."}
existing = _find_skill(name)
if not existing:
return {"success": False, "error": f"Skill '{name}' not found. Create it first with action='create'."}
target = existing["path"] / file_path
target.parent.mkdir(parents=True, exist_ok=True)
# Back up for rollback
original_content = target.read_text(encoding="utf-8") if target.exists() else None
_atomic_write_text(target, file_content)
# Security scan β€” roll back on block
scan_error = _security_scan_skill(existing["path"])
if scan_error:
if original_content is not None:
_atomic_write_text(target, original_content)
else:
target.unlink(missing_ok=True)
return {"success": False, "error": scan_error}
return {
"success": True,
"message": f"File '{file_path}' written to skill '{name}'.",
"path": str(target),
}
def _remove_file(name: str, file_path: str) -> Dict[str, Any]:
"""Remove a supporting file from any skill directory."""
err = _validate_file_path(file_path)
if err:
return {"success": False, "error": err}
existing = _find_skill(name)
if not existing:
return {"success": False, "error": f"Skill '{name}' not found."}
skill_dir = existing["path"]
target = skill_dir / file_path
if not target.exists():
# List what's actually there for the model to see
available = []
for subdir in ALLOWED_SUBDIRS:
d = skill_dir / subdir
if d.exists():
for f in d.rglob("*"):
if f.is_file():
available.append(str(f.relative_to(skill_dir)))
return {
"success": False,
"error": f"File '{file_path}' not found in skill '{name}'.",
"available_files": available if available else None,
}
target.unlink()
# Clean up empty subdirectories
parent = target.parent
if parent != skill_dir and parent.exists() and not any(parent.iterdir()):
parent.rmdir()
return {
"success": True,
"message": f"File '{file_path}' removed from skill '{name}'.",
}
# =============================================================================
# Main entry point
# =============================================================================
def skill_manage(
action: str,
name: str,
content: str = None,
category: str = None,
file_path: str = None,
file_content: str = None,
old_string: str = None,
new_string: str = None,
replace_all: bool = False,
) -> str:
"""
Manage user-created skills. Dispatches to the appropriate action handler.
Returns JSON string with results.
"""
if action == "create":
if not content:
return json.dumps({"success": False, "error": "content is required for 'create'. Provide the full SKILL.md text (frontmatter + body)."}, ensure_ascii=False)
result = _create_skill(name, content, category)
elif action == "edit":
if not content:
return json.dumps({"success": False, "error": "content is required for 'edit'. Provide the full updated SKILL.md text."}, ensure_ascii=False)
result = _edit_skill(name, content)
elif action == "patch":
if not old_string:
return json.dumps({"success": False, "error": "old_string is required for 'patch'. Provide the text to find."}, ensure_ascii=False)
if new_string is None:
return json.dumps({"success": False, "error": "new_string is required for 'patch'. Use empty string to delete matched text."}, ensure_ascii=False)
result = _patch_skill(name, old_string, new_string, file_path, replace_all)
elif action == "delete":
result = _delete_skill(name)
elif action == "write_file":
if not file_path:
return json.dumps({"success": False, "error": "file_path is required for 'write_file'. Example: 'references/api-guide.md'"}, ensure_ascii=False)
if file_content is None:
return json.dumps({"success": False, "error": "file_content is required for 'write_file'."}, ensure_ascii=False)
result = _write_file(name, file_path, file_content)
elif action == "remove_file":
if not file_path:
return json.dumps({"success": False, "error": "file_path is required for 'remove_file'."}, ensure_ascii=False)
result = _remove_file(name, file_path)
else:
result = {"success": False, "error": f"Unknown action '{action}'. Use: create, edit, patch, delete, write_file, remove_file"}
return json.dumps(result, ensure_ascii=False)
# =============================================================================
# OpenAI Function-Calling Schema
# =============================================================================
SKILL_MANAGE_SCHEMA = {
"name": "skill_manage",
"description": (
"Manage skills (create, update, delete). Skills are your procedural "
"memory β€” reusable approaches for recurring task types. "
"New skills go to ~/.hermes/skills/; existing skills can be modified wherever they live.\n\n"
"Actions: create (full SKILL.md + optional category), "
"patch (old_string/new_string β€” preferred for fixes), "
"edit (full SKILL.md rewrite β€” major overhauls only), "
"delete, write_file, remove_file.\n\n"
"Create when: complex task succeeded (5+ calls), errors overcome, "
"user-corrected approach worked, non-trivial workflow discovered, "
"or user asks you to remember a procedure.\n"
"Update when: instructions stale/wrong, OS-specific failures, "
"missing steps or pitfalls found during use. "
"If you used a skill and hit issues not covered by it, patch it immediately.\n\n"
"After difficult/iterative tasks, offer to save as a skill. "
"Skip for simple one-offs. Confirm with user before creating/deleting.\n\n"
"Good skills: trigger conditions, numbered steps with exact commands, "
"pitfalls section, verification steps. Use skill_view() to see format examples."
),
"parameters": {
"type": "object",
"properties": {
"action": {
"type": "string",
"enum": ["create", "patch", "edit", "delete", "write_file", "remove_file"],
"description": "The action to perform."
},
"name": {
"type": "string",
"description": (
"Skill name (lowercase, hyphens/underscores, max 64 chars). "
"Must match an existing skill for patch/edit/delete/write_file/remove_file."
)
},
"content": {
"type": "string",
"description": (
"Full SKILL.md content (YAML frontmatter + markdown body). "
"Required for 'create' and 'edit'. For 'edit', read the skill "
"first with skill_view() and provide the complete updated text."
)
},
"old_string": {
"type": "string",
"description": (
"Text to find in the file (required for 'patch'). Must be unique "
"unless replace_all=true. Include enough surrounding context to "
"ensure uniqueness."
)
},
"new_string": {
"type": "string",
"description": (
"Replacement text (required for 'patch'). Can be empty string "
"to delete the matched text."
)
},
"replace_all": {
"type": "boolean",
"description": "For 'patch': replace all occurrences instead of requiring a unique match (default: false)."
},
"category": {
"type": "string",
"description": (
"Optional category/domain for organizing the skill (e.g., 'devops', "
"'data-science', 'mlops'). Creates a subdirectory grouping. "
"Only used with 'create'."
)
},
"file_path": {
"type": "string",
"description": (
"Path to a supporting file within the skill directory. "
"For 'write_file'/'remove_file': required, must be under references/, "
"templates/, scripts/, or assets/. "
"For 'patch': optional, defaults to SKILL.md if omitted."
)
},
"file_content": {
"type": "string",
"description": "Content for the file. Required for 'write_file'."
},
},
"required": ["action", "name"],
},
}
# --- Registry ---
from tools.registry import registry
registry.register(
name="skill_manage",
toolset="skills",
schema=SKILL_MANAGE_SCHEMA,
handler=lambda args, **kw: skill_manage(
action=args.get("action", ""),
name=args.get("name", ""),
content=args.get("content"),
category=args.get("category"),
file_path=args.get("file_path"),
file_content=args.get("file_content"),
old_string=args.get("old_string"),
new_string=args.get("new_string"),
replace_all=args.get("replace_all", False)),
emoji="πŸ“",
)