Files

SKILL.mdagentsreferencesscripts

Install

Install the containing plugin

/plugin install shared-skills@llm-skills

Invoke this skill after installation

/shared-skills:file

Download file-skill.zip

This skill is bundled inside shared-skills. Install the plugin once, then Claude Code can use any of its included skills. Browse the full plugin repository at github.com/alisonaquinas/llm-shared-skills.

SKILL.md

name: file description: Identify file types using magic numbers and content analysis. Use when the agent needs to inspect, analyze, or extract information from binary files or data structures.

File

Identify file types using magic numbers and content analysis

Quick Start

Verify file is available: file --version or man file
Establish the command surface: man file or file --help
Start with a read-only probe: file file

Intent Router

Load only the reference file needed for the active request.

references/install-and-setup.md — Installing file on macOS, Linux, Windows
references/cheatsheet.md — Common options, output formats, usage patterns
references/advanced-usage.md — Advanced patterns, performance optimization
references/troubleshooting.md — Common errors, exit codes, platform differences

Core Workflow

Verify file is available: file --version
Start with safe, read-only operation: file [options] file
Validate output on test data before processing at scale
Document exact command and flags for reproducibility

Quick Command Reference

file --version                       # Check version
file --help                          # Show help
file file                            # Basic usage
file file | head                     # Limit output
man file                             # Full manual

Safety Notes

Area	Guardrail
Untrusted input	Validate files from untrusted sources before processing.
Large files	May consume memory on large files. Test with smaller samples first.
Output handling	Pipe output safely. Binary output may corrupt terminal.
Symlinks	Tool may follow or skip symlinks. Check man page for behavior.

Source Policy

Treat the installed file behavior and man file as runtime truth.
Use upstream documentation for semantics.

Resource Index

scripts/install.sh — Install file on macOS or Linux.
scripts/install.ps1 — Install file on Windows or any platform via PowerShell.