AI Agent Skills

AI Agent Skills provide domain-specific workflow guidance for valuation tasks. Each skill is a SKILL.md file that teaches an AI agent how to approach valuation problems step-by-step.

What Are AI Agent Skills?

Skills are markdown files that define: - When to use the skill (trigger conditions) - Step-by-step workflows for valuation tasks - MCP tool mappings — which tools to call and when - Best practices and common pitfalls

There are 6 skills available:

Skill	Covers
valuation-core	Scorecard, Berkus, VC Method, Risk Factor Summation
valuation-advanced	Black-Scholes, Binomial, Monte Carlo, Scenario Analysis
valuation-industry	SaaS, Biotech, Fintech, Marketplace, Hardware
valuation-stakeholder	Dilution, OPM, PWERM, Liquidation Preference
valuation-emerging	SAFE, Crypto (MV=PQ), ESG, Metcalfe's Law
valuation-foundations	Probability, TVM, CAPM, Comparables, International

Setup for OpenCode

1. Copy the skills/ directory to your OpenCode skills folder:

cp -r /path/to/startup-valuation/skills ~/.config/opencode/skills/

1. Verify the skills are loaded:

ls ~/.config/opencode/skills/
# valuation-core  valuation-advanced  valuation-industry  valuation-stakeholder  valuation-emerging  valuation-foundations

1. Start a new OpenCode session — the skills are now available.

Setup for Claude Desktop

Claude Desktop doesn't have a native skills folder. Instead, add the skill content to your custom instructions:

1. Open Claude Desktop settings
2. Go to Custom Instructions
3. Paste the content of the relevant SKILL.md file
4. Claude will now follow the workflow guidance

Setup for Cursor

1. Open Cursor settings
2. Go to Features → Custom Instructions
3. Paste the content of the relevant SKILL.md file
4. Cursor will now follow the workflow guidance

SKILL.md Schema

Each SKILL.md file follows this structure:

# Skill: [skill-name]

## When to Use
[Conditions that trigger this skill]

## Workflow
1. [Step 1]
2. [Step 2]
3. [Step 3]

## MCP Tools
- `tool_name` — [when to use this tool]
- `tool_name` — [when to use this tool]

## Best Practices
- [Best practice 1]
- [Best practice 2]

## Common Pitfalls
- [Pitfall 1 and how to avoid it]

Required Sections

Section	Purpose
When to Use	Tells the agent when to activate this skill
Workflow	Step-by-step instructions for the valuation task
MCP Tools	Maps workflow steps to MCP tool calls

Optional Sections

Section	Purpose
Best Practices	Domain-specific guidance
Common Pitfalls	Error prevention

Example: Writing a Custom Skill

Here's how to write a skill for a new valuation method:

# Skill: Real Estate Valuation

## When to Use
- User asks to value a real estate startup
- User mentions property, REIT, or real estate metrics

## Workflow
1. Gather property details: location, type, square footage
2. Calculate NOI (Net Operating Income)
3. Apply cap rate: Value = NOI / Cap Rate
4. Compare with comparable property sales

## MCP Tools
- `valuation_present_value` — for discounted cash flow of rental income
- `valuation_capm` — for determining appropriate discount rate

## Best Practices
- Use local market cap rates, not national averages
- Factor in vacancy rates (typically 5-10%)
- Consider property management costs (3-8% of rent)

## Common Pitfalls
- Don't use residential cap rates for commercial properties
- Don't forget to account for property taxes and insurance

How Skills Map to MCP Tools

Skills don't replace MCP tools — they guide when and how to use them:

User asks: "Value my SaaS startup"
    ↓
Agent checks skills → matches `valuation-industry` (SaaS section)
    ↓
Skill workflow says:
  1. Calculate ARR → use `valuation_saas_multiple` with arr parameter
  2. Calculate LTV/CAC → use `valuation_saas_ltv`
  3. Check Rule of 40 → use `valuation_rule_of_40`
    ↓
Agent calls MCP tools in sequence
    ↓
Agent synthesizes results into a valuation report