Homework: Skills & MCPs

This homework locks in what you learned by applying it to something real complete all three parts, each one builds on the last

Part 1: Install and Test Two Official Skills

Open the Claude Code Desktop App. Go to Customize then Skills then Browse Skills.

Install the Frontend Design skill if you have not already. Install one other skill that is relevant to what you build such as copywriting, code review, tech writer, or similar.

Run both skills against real work.

For the frontend design skill:

Use the /frontend-design skill to audit [YOUR BEST WEB PROJECT SO FAR].

List every issue you find. Fix the top 3.

For your second skill apply it to a piece of actual work in that domain. Do not test it on a hypothetical. Use something you have already built or written.

Part 2: Write Your Own Custom Skill

Write a custom skill for the type of work you do most often with Claude Code.

It must have a specific role and not "helpful AI assistant," at least 4 Always Do rules, at least 3 Never Do rules, and a 3-point self-check list.

Save it to ~/.claude/commands/ and test it with a real task.

Post your custom skill file in the community by copy-pasting the markdown. Other members will read it and it will give them ideas for their own. The community skill library gets stronger every time someone shares theirs.

Part 3: Install and Use an MCP

Install the fetch MCP from the previous lesson if you have not already done so.

Then run this research workflow:

I am working on [DESCRIBE YOUR CURRENT PROJECT OR NICHE].

Step 1: Use the fetch MCP to visit the websites of 2 competitors or relevant

businesses in my space.

Their URLs: [URL 1], [URL 2]

Step 2: Read their homepage and their about or services page.

Step 3: Give me:

• What they each claim makes them different
• What messaging approach they use
• One gap or opportunity that neither of them is addressing

Use that output as real intelligence for your next landing page, marketing post, or product decision. This is the kind of research that used to take 2 to 3 hours done in a single prompt.

How to Post in the Community

Create a post titled "Skills and MCPs Homework." Include a screenshot or paste of your custom skill and one insight from the MCP research workflow covering something you learned about your market that you did not know before.

Reading other members' skills is one of the fastest ways to get ideas for your own. Share yours.

You Are Ready for Course 08

With skills and MCPs installed you are ready for automations: building workflows that run on a schedule or trigger automatically so Claude Code works for you even when you are not at the keyboard.