Activate when the user asks about APM (Agent Package Manager): installing, configuring, authoring, or troubleshooting AI-agent packages, dependencies, compilation, MCP servers, policy, or any `apm` CLI command.
SkillScore100Maintained
Automatic
◆AI Engineer pack
Last verified 8/9/2026
What it changes
Passed 24 of 24 test cases with the skill, and 15 of 24 without it.
Without skill63%
With skill100%
Checks it passed that the model alone missed
Identifies apm.yml as the exact file name
Specifies that apm_modules/ must be ignored in git
Specifies that apm.lock.yaml must be tracked in git
and 9 more in the full report
9 fixed15 passed either way0 still failing0 broke
Pass-rate lift
+38 pp
Tokens
-32%
Agent turns
0%
Response time
-60%
Model gemini-3.6-flashMeasured 8/9/2026v224 of 24 cases passed with skill
Tokens, turns and time describe resource use, not a dollar price.
See it in action
One of 9 test cases the skill fixed. Same model, same prompt, with and without the skill.
1 of 9
Prompt
What is the exact file name and extension of the primary configuration manifest used by Agent Package Manager?
What was checked, without and with the skill
Checked
Without skill
With skill
Identifies apm.yml as the exact file name
Missed
Passed
case-19 · gemini-3.6-flash · 8/9/2026 · answers are capped and redacted
What's inside
The instructions your model reads when the skill loads.
SKILL.md39 linessingle file
APM Usage
APM (Agent Package Manager) is the open-source package manager for AI coding
agents. It lets teams install, share, and govern reusable instructions, prompts,
agents, skills, and MCP server configurations across projects.
When to activate
User mentions apm or "Agent Package Manager"
Questions about installing or managing AI-agent packages
Setting up instructions, prompts, agents, skills, or chatmodes
Configuring MCP servers through apm.yml
Authentication for private repos (GitHub, ADO, GHES, Artifactory)
Policy enforcement or apm audit
Package authoring or publishing
Compiling agent context (apm compile)
Troubleshooting apm errors
Key rules
Commit these files: apm.yml, apm.lock.yaml, .apm/, deployed harness directories including .grok/, and AGENTS.md
Never commit: apm_modules/ (add to .gitignore)
Team sync: after git clone, run apm install to restore dependencies
Update deps:apm install --update refreshes to latest refs
Pin versions: use tags (#v1.0.0) in production, branches for development
ASCII only: all CLI output and source must stay within printable ASCII
Reference
For detailed guidance, see the following resources:
Installation -- install and update APM
Workflow -- core workflow, apm.yml format, what to commit
Commands -- full CLI command reference
Dependencies -- all dependency formats and version pinning