Build a Claude Skill That Removes AI-Sounding Writing

Create a skill folder with a SKILL.md file whose description tells Claude to use it when editing or writing prose, and whose body lists the patterns to remove and how to rewrite them. Zip the folder, upload it in Settings > Capabilities > Skills, and ask Claude to edit a draft. Skills need a paid plan with code execution on.

  • By Praveen Jha · Updated 2026-10-22 · 9 min read · Content & writing
Best for
Anyone publishing AI-assisted writing under their own name
Time
20 minutes
Cost
Pro, Max, Team or Enterprise plan
Works in
claude.ai, Claude Desktop, Claude Code
Level
Beginner to intermediate

What makes writing sound AI-generated

Readers rarely spot AI from one word. They spot patterns that repeat: openings that announce what is coming, sentences built as "it's not X, it's Y", lists that always have three items, hedges on every claim and a closing paragraph that summarises what you just read. Remove the patterns and the writing reads as written by a person, whoever drafted it.

Why a Skill and not a long prompt

A Skill is a folder with instructions that Claude loads only when a task matches its description. Only the name and description sit in context all the time, so you can keep a detailed checklist without pasting it into every chat. The same folder also works in Claude Code.

Step 1: Create the folder and SKILL.md

The folder name must match the skill name. The name can only use lowercase letters, numbers and hyphens, up to 64 characters, and cannot contain the words "claude" or "anthropic". The description can be up to 1,024 characters and must say both what the skill does and when to use it.

Folder structure

plain-human-writing/
  SKILL.md

plain-human-writing/SKILL.md

---
name: plain-human-writing
description: Edits prose so it reads as written by a person. Use when writing or editing blog posts, emails, newsletters, LinkedIn posts or web copy, or when asked to make text sound less like AI.
---

# Plain human writing

Apply these rules to every sentence. Keep facts, numbers and meaning unchanged.

## Remove
- Openers that announce the topic ("In today's fast-paced world", "Let's dive in").
- Contrast frames used for drama ("It's not just X, it's Y").
- Filler intensifiers: truly, really, incredibly, seamlessly, robust, game-changing.
- Hedges stacked on one claim ("may potentially help").
- Closing summaries that repeat the body.

## Rewrite
- Lead each paragraph with its point.
- Vary list length; do not default to three items.
- Prefer concrete nouns and numbers over adjectives.
- Use contractions where the brand voice allows.
- Keep em dashes to one per paragraph at most.

## Output
Return the edited text, then a short list of the patterns you changed.

Step 2: Turn on code execution and upload

  1. Open Settings > Capabilities and make sure Code execution and file creation is on. The Skills section stays hidden without it.
  2. Zip the folder so the ZIP contains plain-human-writing/SKILL.md.
  3. In the Skills section, click Upload skill and choose the ZIP.
  4. Check that the skill appears in the list and its toggle is on.

Terminal (macOS or Linux)

zip -r plain-human-writing.zip plain-human-writing

Using it in Claude Code

Copy the folder to ~/.claude/skills/ to use it in every project, or to .claude/skills/ inside one repository. Skills do not sync between claude.ai and Claude Code, so install it in both places if you use both.

Step 3: Test it on a real draft

Paste a draft and ask Claude to edit it for plain human writing. Because the skill loads based on its description, phrases like "edit this blog post" or "make this sound less like AI" should trigger it. If Claude does not use the skill, name it in the request once and then improve the description.

Detectors are not the goal: AI-detection tools are unreliable in both directions. Aim for writing that is specific, accurate and easy to read. That is what readers and search engines reward.

Copy-paste prompts

Edit with the skill

Use the plain-human-writing skill to edit this draft. Keep every fact, number and link. After the edited text, list the patterns you removed. [paste draft]

Find your own AI tells

Here are 5 drafts Claude wrote for me that I had to rewrite heavily: [paste]. List the recurring phrases and sentence structures I removed, so I can add them to my skill's Remove list.

Improve the trigger

My skill description is: [paste]. Rewrite it in under 300 characters so it clearly states what the skill does and the situations where it should be used.

Troubleshooting

  • Upload fails Common causes are a folder name that does not match the skill name, a missing SKILL.md, invalid characters in the name or description, or a ZIP that is too large.
  • No Skills section in Settings Turn on Code execution and file creation in Settings > Capabilities. On Enterprise, an Owner must enable Skills in Admin settings first.
  • Claude rewrites too much Add a rule such as "change only sentences that break a rule" and ask for the list of changes so you can review them.
  • The edit strips your personality as well Pair the skill with your brand voice guide, and list the phrases you want to keep so they are not treated as filler.

FAQ

What is a Claude Skill?

A Skill is a folder containing a SKILL.md file with instructions, and optionally scripts or reference files. Claude reads the skill's name and description and loads the full instructions only when a task matches.

Which plans can use custom Skills?

Skills are available on Pro, Max, Team and Enterprise plans, and require code execution to be enabled. In Claude Code, skills are folders on your computer.

Will this make my writing pass AI detectors?

No tool can promise that, and detectors are unreliable. The skill removes patterns readers associate with AI writing, which makes text clearer and more natural.

Can I share the skill with my team?

Custom skills you upload are private to your account. On Team and Enterprise plans, organisation owners can provision skills for everyone.

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