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https://github.com/ortus-boxlang/skills

BoxLang AI skills repository and Claude Plugin
https://github.com/ortus-boxlang/skills

agent-skills ai-skills boxlang claude-skills commandbox jvm mvc skills testing

Last synced: 6 days ago
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BoxLang AI skills repository and Claude Plugin

Awesome Lists containing this project

README 

          
# BoxLang Skills



> AI agent skills for [BoxLang](https://boxlang.ortusbooks.com/) — a Modern Dynamic JVM Language built on JRE 21+.



This repository provides reusable **AI skills** for BoxLang development, compatible with any agent that supports the [skills.sh](https://skills.sh) open standard — including Claude Code, Cursor, Copilot, and more.



Skills inject BoxLang domain knowledge directly into your AI agent so it can write accurate, idiomatic BoxLang code for you.



**You can find all our skills published to our online directory at https://skills.boxlang.io/.**



---



## What Are Skills?



Skills are Markdown files (`SKILL.md`) that give your AI agent expert-level context on a specific topic. They are discovered and loaded automatically by the agent when relevant — a query about async programming loads the async skill, a question about deployment loads the deployment skill, and so on.



Each skill in this repo contains:



- Language syntax and idioms with working code examples

- API references and BIF signatures

- Configuration patterns

- Best practices and gotchas



Skill identifiers now use the `boxlang-dev-*` naming convention for easier discovery in installed skill lists.



---



## Quick Install



Requires [Node.js](https://nodejs.org) — no installation needed, just `npx`:



```bash

# Install ALL BoxLang skills (all categories)

npx skills add ortus-boxlang/skills

```



That's it. Your AI agent now has BoxLang and CommandBox expertise.



## Claude Plugin Install



Install this repository as a Claude plugin:



```bash

claude plugin install https://github.com/ortus-boxlang/skills

```



If you use plugin marketplace commands:



```bash

/plugin marketplace add ortus-boxlang/skills

/plugin install boxlang-agent-skills@ortus-boxlang

```



## ColdBox CLI



```bash

# Install the ColdBox CLI if you haven't already

box install coldbox-cli



# Install AI integration into your app

# This reads your app, box.json and installs skills based on your stack and preferences

coldbox ai install



# Skills Management



# List installed skills

coldbox ai skills list

# Add a skill

coldbox ai skills add Ortus-Solutions/skills/vuejs-expert

# Remove a skill

coldbox ai skills remove vuejs-expert

```



All skills are installed at `.agents/skills/` in your project.



---



## Categories



### `boxlang-developer` — Building Applications with BoxLang



For developers writing BoxLang applications: web apps, APIs, database access,

async pipelines, caching, Java interop, module usage, and deployment.



```bash

npx skills add ortus-boxlang/skills/boxlang-developer

```



| Skill | What It Covers |

|-------|----------------|

| [`boxlang-dev-application-descriptor`](./boxlang-developer/application-descriptor/SKILL.md) | `Application.bx` discovery, multi-app isolation, lifecycle callbacks, app-level `this.*` settings, and app-scoped `this.schedulers`/`this.watchers` wiring |

| [`boxlang-dev-boxlang-async-programming`](./boxlang-developer/async-programming/SKILL.md) | `BoxFuture`, `futureNew`, `asyncRun`, `asyncAll`, `asyncAny`, `asyncAllApply`, executors (`io-tasks`/`cpu-tasks`/`scheduled-tasks`), schedulers, `thread` component, `bx:lock` |

| [`boxlang-dev-boxlang-file-watchers`](./boxlang-developer/file-watchers/SKILL.md) | Filesystem watcher lifecycle (`watcherNew`/`watcherStart`/`watcherStop`), listener strategies (closure/struct/class), event payload handling, debounce/throttle tuning, and watcher stats |

| [`boxlang-dev-boxlang-best-practices`](./boxlang-developer/best-practices/SKILL.md) | Naming conventions, scoping, function structure, error handling, performance, and maintainability guidelines |

| [`boxlang-dev-boxlang-caching`](./boxlang-developer/caching/SKILL.md) | Cache providers, named regions, `cachePut`/`cacheGet`, output caching, Redis, Couchbase, TTL policies, distributed locking |

| [`boxlang-dev-boxlang-cfml-migration`](./boxlang-developer/cfml-migration/SKILL.md) | Key syntax and behavioral differences, `bx-compat-cfml` module, converting file types, fixing common migration issues |

| [`boxlang-dev-boxlang-classes-and-oop`](./boxlang-developer/classes-and-oop/SKILL.md) | Classes, inheritance, interfaces, abstract classes, properties, constructors, static members, annotations, `final` constructs, method chaining |

| [`boxlang-dev-boxlang-code-documenter`](./boxlang-developer/code-documenter/SKILL.md) | Javadoc-style function/class comments, argument and return-type docs, DocBox-compatible annotations |

| [`boxlang-dev-boxlang-code-reviewer`](./boxlang-developer/code-reviewer/SKILL.md) | Code quality, correctness, security vulnerabilities, performance, style — structured review feedback |

| [`boxlang-dev-boxlang-configuration`](./boxlang-developer/configuration/SKILL.md) | `boxlang.json` runtime settings, datasources, caches, executors, modules, logging, security, schedulers |

| [`boxlang-dev-boxlang-database-access`](./boxlang-developer/database-access/SKILL.md) | `queryExecute`, `bx:query`, datasource config, parameterized queries, transactions, stored procedures, SQL injection prevention |

| [`boxlang-dev-boxlang-deployment`](./boxlang-developer/deployment/SKILL.md) | CommandBox, Docker, AWS Lambda, GitHub Actions CI/CD, BVM, `boxlang.json` runtime config, environment variable overrides |

| [`boxlang-dev-boxlang-docbox`](./boxlang-developer/docbox/SKILL.md) | API documentation generation: CLI, HTML/JSON/UML/CommandBox strategies, themes, multiple sources, custom strategies |

| [`boxlang-dev-boxlang-file-handling`](./boxlang-developer/file-handling/SKILL.md) | `fileRead`/`fileWrite`/`fileCopy`/`fileMove`, directory operations, streaming large files, file uploads, CSV/JSON from disk |

| [`boxlang-dev-boxlang-functional-programming`](./boxlang-developer/functional-programming/SKILL.md) | Closures (`=>`) vs lambdas (`->`), higher-order functions, `map`/`filter`/`reduce`/`flatMap`/`groupBy`, destructuring, spread |

| [`boxlang-dev-boxlang-interceptors`](./boxlang-developer/interceptors/SKILL.md) | Interceptor/event system, `announce()`/`announceAsync()`, pre/post hooks, security guards, `BoxRegisterInterceptor()` |

| [`boxlang-dev-boxlang-java-integration`](./boxlang-developer/java-integration/SKILL.md) | `createObject`, static method calls, type conversion, closures as functional interfaces, JARs, JSR-223 scripting |

| [`boxlang-dev-boxlang-language-fundamentals`](./boxlang-developer/language-fundamentals/SKILL.md) | File types (`.bx`/`.bxs`/`.bxm`), variables, scopes, operators, control flow, exception handling, type system, destructuring, spread |

| [`boxlang-dev-boxlang-modules-and-packages`](./boxlang-developer/modules-and-packages/SKILL.md) | `box install`, module config, BoxLang+ premium modules (`bx-pdf`, `bx-redis`, `bx-csv`, `bx-spreadsheet`), ORM, mail |

| [`boxlang-dev-boxlang-scheduled-tasks`](./boxlang-developer/scheduled-tasks/SKILL.md) | Scheduler DSL (`BaseScheduler`/`ScheduledTask`), scheduler lifecycle BIFs, cron/frequency APIs, task grouping, timezone handling, and `bx:schedule` HTTP-driven tasks |

| `boxlang-dev-runtime-*` | Runtime/deployment targets are individual skills under `boxlang-developer` such as `boxlang-dev-runtime-miniserver`, `boxlang-dev-runtime-commandbox`, `boxlang-dev-runtime-docker`, `boxlang-dev-runtime-aws-lambda`, and more |

| [`boxlang-dev-boxlang-security`](./boxlang-developer/security/SKILL.md) | OWASP Top 10, injection prevention, file upload safety, secret management, secure coding patterns |

| [`boxlang-dev-boxlang-templating`](./boxlang-developer/templating/SKILL.md) | `.bxm` markup files, output expressions, `bx:output`/`bx:loop`/`bx:if`/`bx:include`/`bx:script`, building views |

| [`boxlang-dev-boxlang-testing`](./boxlang-developer/testing/SKILL.md) | TestBox BDD (`describe`/`it`), xUnit, expectations, `$assert`, life-cycle hooks, MockBox, mock data, async/exception testing |

| [`boxlang-dev-boxlang-web-development`](./boxlang-developer/web-development/SKILL.md) | `Application.bx` lifecycle, request/response, sessions, forms, REST APIs, HTTP client, CSRF, Server-Sent Events, MiniServer config |

| [`boxlang-dev-boxlang-zip`](./boxlang-developer/zip/SKILL.md) | `bx:zip` component: creating/extracting/listing/modifying archives, compression levels, encryption, backup workflows |



### `boxlang-core-development` — Extending the BoxLang Runtime



For developers building BoxLang modules, contributing to the core runtime, and

creating custom built-in functions, interceptors, and components.



```bash

npx skills add ortus-boxlang/skills/boxlang-core-development

```



| Skill | What It Covers |

|-------|----------------|

| [`boxlang-dev-boxlang-async-tasks`](./boxlang-core-development/async-tasks/SKILL.md) | `BoxFuture`, `AsyncService`, executor types, `BaseScheduler`, `ScheduledTask` fluent API, cron constraints, task lifecycle callbacks, registering schedulers via `ModuleConfig.bx` |

| [`boxlang-dev-boxlang-bif-development`](./boxlang-core-development/bif-development/SKILL.md) | `@BoxBIF` annotation, `invoke()` method, argument typing, `@BoxMember` for member functions, Java BIF classes, runtime service access |

| [`boxlang-dev-boxlang-component-development`](./boxlang-core-development/component-development/SKILL.md) | Custom tags/components, `onStartTag`/`onEndTag`, body content, attribute declarations, registering component paths in modules |

| [`boxlang-dev-boxlang-interceptors`](./boxlang-core-development/interceptors/SKILL.md) | Observer/Intercepting Filter patterns, 3 interceptor pools, BoxLang/Java/lambda interceptors, registration, interception points, custom events |

| [`boxlang-dev-boxlang-logging`](./boxlang-core-development/logging/SKILL.md) | `LoggingService`, `BoxLangLogger` (trace/debug/info/warn/error), pre-configured loggers, named loggers, parameterized messages, `boxlang.json` logging config |

| [`boxlang-dev-boxlang-module-development`](./boxlang-core-development/module-development/SKILL.md) | `ModuleConfig.bx` lifecycle (`configure`/`onLoad`/`onUnload`), settings, Gradle build, ForgeBox publishing |

| [`boxlang-dev-boxlang-runtime-architecture`](./boxlang-core-development/runtime-architecture/SKILL.md) | `BoxRuntime` services, `IBoxContext` hierarchy, scope chain, `DynamicObject`, type system, parsing pipeline (source → AST → bytecode), virtual threads |



---



### `commandbox` — CommandBox CLI, Package Manager & Embedded Server



For developers using [CommandBox](https://www.ortussolutions.com/products/commandbox) — the CFML/BoxLang CLI, package manager,

and embedded Undertow server from Ortus Solutions.



```bash

npx skills add ortus-boxlang/skills/commandbox

```



| Skill | What It Covers |

|-------|----------------|

| [`boxlang-dev-commandbox-setup`](./commandbox/commandbox-setup/SKILL.md) | Installation (macOS/Linux/Windows/Homebrew), upgrading, Java configuration, `commandbox.properties`, light vs thin binaries |

| [`boxlang-dev-commandbox-usage`](./commandbox/commandbox-usage/SKILL.md) | CLI commands, named/positional parameters, flags, system settings (`${VAR:default}`), env vars, backtick expressions, piping, recipes, REPL, aliases, exit codes, `watch` |

| [`boxlang-dev-commandbox-package-management`](./commandbox/commandbox-package-management/SKILL.md) | `box.json` schema, ForgeBox / Git / HTTP / folder / S3 / Gist / Java endpoints, semver ranges, dependencies vs devDependencies, lock files, package scripts, artifacts cache, publishing |

| [`boxlang-dev-commandbox-embedded-server`](./commandbox/commandbox-embedded-server/SKILL.md) | Undertow server configuration via `server.json`, server profiles, JVM/heap settings, SSL/TLS, URL rewrites, server rules, multi-site support, basic auth, aliases, OS service, server scripts |

| [`boxlang-dev-commandbox-task-runners`](./commandbox/commandbox-task-runners/SKILL.md) | Task CFC anatomy, lifecycle events, interactive jobs DSL, progress bars, ANSI print helpers, threading/async, file watching, running sub-commands, property files, ad-hoc JARs/modules |

| [`boxlang-dev-commandbox-developing`](./commandbox/commandbox-developing/SKILL.md) | Custom commands, namespace conventions, parameter annotations, WireBox DI, module structure, `ModuleConfig.cfc`, interceptors, core interception points, injection DSL, sharing/publishing |

| [`boxlang-dev-commandbox-config-settings`](./commandbox/commandbox-config-settings/SKILL.md) | Global config management, `config set/show/clear`, server defaults, ForgeBox API token, custom endpoints, proxy settings, env var overrides (`box_config_*`), setting sync |

| [`boxlang-dev-commandbox-deploying`](./commandbox/commandbox-deploying/SKILL.md) | Production `server.json`, Docker (`ortussolutions/commandbox`), GitHub Actions (`setup-commandbox`), Heroku/Dokku buildpack, Amazon Lightsail/VPS, systemd service, CFConfig integration |

| [`boxlang-dev-commandbox-testing`](./commandbox/commandbox-testing/SKILL.md) | `testbox run` flags, `box.json` testbox config, test watcher, CI integration, output formats, code coverage, TestBox CLI patterns |



---



## Install Individual Skills



```bash

# Single skill from boxlang-developer

npx skills add ortus-boxlang/skills/boxlang-developer/language-fundamentals

npx skills add ortus-boxlang/skills/boxlang-developer/application-descriptor

npx skills add ortus-boxlang/skills/boxlang-developer/async-programming

npx skills add ortus-boxlang/skills/boxlang-developer/file-watchers

npx skills add ortus-boxlang/skills/boxlang-developer/scheduled-tasks

npx skills add ortus-boxlang/skills/boxlang-developer/web-development

npx skills add ortus-boxlang/skills/boxlang-developer/database-access

npx skills add ortus-boxlang/skills/boxlang-developer/caching

npx skills add ortus-boxlang/skills/boxlang-developer/java-integration

npx skills add ortus-boxlang/skills/boxlang-developer/modules-and-packages

npx skills add ortus-boxlang/skills/boxlang-developer/deployment

npx skills add ortus-boxlang/skills/boxlang-developer/classes-and-oop

npx skills add ortus-boxlang/skills/boxlang-developer/functional-programming



# Single skill from boxlang-core-development

npx skills add ortus-boxlang/skills/boxlang-core-development/module-development

npx skills add ortus-boxlang/skills/boxlang-core-development/bif-development

npx skills add ortus-boxlang/skills/boxlang-core-development/interceptors

npx skills add ortus-boxlang/skills/boxlang-core-development/component-development

npx skills add ortus-boxlang/skills/boxlang-core-development/runtime-architecture



# Single skill from commandbox

npx skills add ortus-boxlang/skills/commandbox/commandbox-setup

npx skills add ortus-boxlang/skills/commandbox/commandbox-usage

npx skills add ortus-boxlang/skills/commandbox/commandbox-package-management

npx skills add ortus-boxlang/skills/commandbox/commandbox-embedded-server

npx skills add ortus-boxlang/skills/commandbox/commandbox-task-runners

npx skills add ortus-boxlang/skills/commandbox/commandbox-developing

npx skills add ortus-boxlang/skills/commandbox/commandbox-config-settings

npx skills add ortus-boxlang/skills/commandbox/commandbox-deploying

npx skills add ortus-boxlang/skills/commandbox/commandbox-testing

```



---



## Managing Skills



```bash

# List installed skills

npx skills list



# Update all skills to latest

npx skills update



# Remove a skill

npx skills remove boxlang-dev-boxlang-language-fundamentals



# Search for skills

npx skills find boxlang

```



---



## Direct / Manual Installation



If you prefer not to use the `npx skills` CLI — or if you are adding skills to a tool that supports its own marketplace or custom knowledge files — you can download individual `SKILL.md` files directly from this repository and place them wherever your tool expects them.



### Claude Projects (Support Files)



[Claude Projects](https://support.anthropic.com/en/articles/9517075-what-are-projects) let you attach files as **project knowledge** that Claude reads at the start of every conversation. Add any `SKILL.md` from this repo as a support file to give Claude deep BoxLang expertise without any CLI tooling.



1. Open the Project in Claude.ai → **Project Knowledge** → **Add content**

2. Paste the raw content of the skill file you want, e.g.:

   - `boxlang-developer/language-fundamentals/SKILL.md`

   - `boxlang-developer/web-development/SKILL.md`

   - `boxlang-core-development/module-development/SKILL.md`

   - `commandbox/commandbox-embedded-server/SKILL.md`

   - `commandbox/commandbox-package-management/SKILL.md`



Raw file URLs follow this pattern:



```

https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ortus-boxlang/skills/main///SKILL.md

```



Example:



```

https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ortus-boxlang/skills/main/boxlang-developer/language-fundamentals/SKILL.md

```



### Claude Code (`.claude/` directory)



[Claude Code](https://docs.anthropic.com/en/docs/claude-code) automatically picks up Markdown files placed in `.claude/skills/` inside your project. Copy any `SKILL.md` directly:



To install this repo as a Claude Code plugin marketplace, use the `/plugin` command:



```bash

/plugin marketplace add ortus-boxlang/skills

/plugin install boxlang-agent-skills@boxlang-agent-skills

```



Or add a single skill file manually:



```bash

# Add a single skill manually

mkdir -p .claude/skills

curl -o .claude/skills/boxlang-dev-boxlang-language-fundamentals.md \

  https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ortus-boxlang/skills/main/boxlang-developer/language-fundamentals/SKILL.md

```



Or use the `npx skills` CLI which handles this automatically (see **Quick Install** above).



### Other Marketplaces & Manual Placement



| Tool | Where to place the skill file |

|------|-------------------------------|

| Claude Code | `.claude/skills/.md` (project) or `~/.claude/skills/.md` (global) |

| Cursor | `.cursor/rules/.mdc` |

| GitHub Copilot | append to `.github/copilot-instructions.md` |

| OpenHands | `.openhands/instructions.md` |

| Codex | `.codex/.md` |

| Windsurf | `.windsurf/rules/.md` |



---



## Supported Agents



The `npx skills` CLI detects which agents you have installed and places skills in the right location automatically:



| Agent | Skills Location |

|-------|----------------|

| Claude Code | `~/.claude/skills/` (personal) or `.claude/skills/` (project) |

| Cursor | `.cursor/rules/` |

| GitHub Copilot | `.github/copilot-instructions.md` |

| OpenHands | `.openhands/` |

| Codex | `.codex/` |

| Windsurf | `.windsurf/rules/` |



For manual placement and Claude Project support files, see **Direct / Manual Installation** above.



---



## About BoxLang



[BoxLang](https://boxlang.ortusbooks.com/) is a modern, dynamic JVM language (JRE 21+) designed for rapid application development. It features:



- **Multi-runtime deployment** — web servers, CLI scripts, AWS Lambda, Docker, WASM, Spring Boot, Android

- **Complete Java interoperability** — use any Java library directly, compile to Java bytecode

- **Modern language features** — lambdas, closures, destructuring, spread syntax, optional chaining, virtual threads

- **CFML compatibility** — migrate existing ColdFusion/Lucee applications via `bx-compat-cfml`

- **Rich module ecosystem** — PDF, Redis, CSV, spreadsheets, ORM, LDAP, mail, image processing, and more

- **Open source** — Apache 2.0 license, commercially supported by [Ortus Solutions](https://www.ortussolutions.com/)



---



## Resources



| Resource | Link |

|----------|------|

| BoxLang Documentation | https://boxlang.ortusbooks.com/ |

| BoxLang GitHub | https://github.com/ortus-boxlang/BoxLang |

| CommandBox Documentation | https://commandbox.ortusbooks.com/ |

| CommandBox GitHub | https://github.com/Ortus-Solutions/commandbox |

| Module Template | https://github.com/ortus-boxlang/boxlang-module-template |

| ForgeBox (packages) | https://forgebox.io |

| Ortus Community | https://community.ortussolutions.com/ |

| BoxLang Slack | https://boxlang.io/slack |

| skills.sh | https://skills.sh |



---



## Contributing



Contributions are welcome! To add or improve a skill:



1. Fork this repository

2. Create or edit the relevant `SKILL.md` file

3. Verify the frontmatter has a `name` and `description`

4. Submit a pull request



Skills should contain accurate, working code examples verified against the [BoxLang documentation](https://boxlang.ortusbooks.com/).