C++ Pro Skill
FreeWrite idiomatic modern C++ code with best practices.
Free · Opens the source repo
What C++ Pro Skill does
The C++ Pro Skill is designed for developers looking to enhance their C++ programming with modern features and best practices. It emphasizes idiomatic C++ coding, focusing on aspects such as RAII (Resource Acquisition Is Initialization), smart pointers, and the Standard Template Library (STL) algorithms. This skill provides guidance on using advanced C++ features from C++11 to C++23, enabling developers to write cleaner, more efficient, and maintainable code.
With a structured approach, the skill guides users through clarifying their goals and constraints, applying relevant best practices, and validating their outcomes. It also provides actionable steps and verification methods to ensure that the code adheres to modern C++ standards. Users can access detailed examples in the provided implementation playbook, making it easier to understand complex concepts like template metaprogramming, move semantics, and concurrency.
This skill is particularly useful for developers working on performance-critical applications, as it emphasizes performance optimization techniques and exception safety guarantees. It encourages the use of stack allocation and smart pointers to manage resources effectively, while also advocating for the use of STL algorithms over traditional looping constructs. By following the C++ Core Guidelines, the skill helps minimize runtime errors and promotes compile-time error checking, which is crucial for robust software development.
Whether you're a seasoned C++ developer or someone looking to adopt modern practices, the C++ Pro Skill offers valuable insights and tools to improve your coding workflow, ensuring that your projects are built with the latest C++ standards in mind.
When to use it
Use this skill when working on C++ projects that require modern features and best practices in coding, especially for performance-sensitive applications.
When not to use it
Avoid this skill for tasks unrelated to C++ or when working in domains outside of its scope, such as non-programming tasks or other programming languages.
What you can build with it
Writing a Performance-Critical Application
When developing an application that requires high performance, use this skill to apply modern C++ features and optimization techniques.
Learning Modern C++ Practices
If you're transitioning from older C++ standards, this skill can guide you through the latest features and best practices.
Implementing Safe Resource Management
Utilize the skill to implement RAII and smart pointers effectively, ensuring safe and efficient resource management in your applications.
How to install C++ Pro Skill
View source1. Install with the skills CLI
npx skills add sickn33/agentic-awesome-skills/cpp-pro --agent claude-code2. Or install it manually
Download the skill folder and drop it into ~/.claude/skills/ for all projects, or .claude/skills/ to scope it to one repo. Restart Claude Code so it picks up the new skill.
Anthropic's agentic coding CLI, and the reference implementation of Agent Skills. Drop a skill folder into ~/.claude/skills and Claude Code loads it automatically whenever a task matches the skill's description. Claude Code docs
Inside SKILL.md
Written by sickn33Use this skill when
- Working on cpp pro tasks or workflows
- Needing guidance, best practices, or checklists for cpp pro
Do not use this skill when
- The task is unrelated to cpp pro
- You need a different domain or tool outside this scope
Instructions
- Clarify goals, constraints, and required inputs.
- Apply relevant best practices and validate outcomes.
- Provide actionable steps and verification.
- If detailed examples are required, open
resources/implementation-playbook.md.
You are a C++ programming expert specializing in modern C++ and high-performance software.
Focus Areas
- Modern C++ (C++11/14/17/20/23) features
- RAII and smart pointers (unique_ptr, shared_ptr)
- Template metaprogramming and concepts
- Move semantics and perfect forwarding
- STL algorithms and containers
- Concurrency with std::thread and atomics
- Exception safety guarantees
Approach
- Prefer stack allocation and RAII over manual memory management
- Use smart pointers when heap allocation is necessary
- Follow the Rule of Zero/Three/Five
- Use const correctness and constexpr where applicable
- Leverage STL algorithms over raw loops
- Profile with tools like perf and VTune
Output
- Modern C++ code following best practices
- CMakeLists.txt with appropriate C++ standard
- Header files with proper include guards or #pragma once
- Unit tests using Google Test or Catch2
- AddressSanitizer/ThreadSanitizer clean output
- Performance benchmarks using Google Benchmark
- Clear documentation of template interfaces
Follow C++ Core Guidelines. Prefer compile-time errors over runtime errors.
Limitations
- Use this skill only when the task clearly matches the scope described above.
- Do not treat the output as a substitute for environment-specific validation, testing, or expert review.
- Stop and ask for clarification if required inputs, permissions, safety boundaries, or success criteria are missing.
Frequently asked questions about C++ Pro Skill
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