# Where to Find dotnet/skills Documentation: Complete Guide to Project Resources > Discover where to find dotnet/skills documentation. Access guides, plugin info, and architecture docs directly within the repository, starting with the README.md. - Repository: [.NET Platform/skills](https://github.com/dotnet/skills) - Tags: getting-started - Published: 2026-07-08 --- **All official dotnet/skills documentation lives inside the repository itself, starting with the root README.md and extending through specialized guides in `eng/skill-validator/src/`, plugin-specific READMEs under `plugins/`, and architectural design docs in the `docs/` folder.** The dotnet/skills repository hosts a comprehensive ecosystem of AI-powered development tools contained entirely within its source tree. Unlike traditional projects with external documentation sites, this project maintains all guides, references, and design notes alongside the code. Understanding the documentation structure helps you quickly navigate from high-level overviews to specific implementation details for skills, validators, and plugins. ## Core Documentation Locations ### Root README and Quick Start The primary entry point for dotnet/skills documentation is [`README.md`](https://github.com/dotnet/skills/blob/main/README.md) at the repository root. This file contains the project overview, installation instructions for the **skill-installer**, and a "What’s Included" table listing every plugin and skill. It also documents marketplace registration commands and basic CLI usage patterns. ### Skill-Validator Reference For testing and validation workflows, refer to [`eng/skill-validator/src/README.md`](https://github.com/dotnet/skills/blob/main/eng/skill-validator/src/README.md). This document details the `skill-validator` CLI syntax, including flags like `--runs`, `--model`, and `--verbose`. It explains the eval file format and provides instructions for downloading nightly builds or running the validator without global installation using `dnx`. ### Eval Results Investigation When analyzing validation failures, consult [`eng/skill-validator/src/docs/InvestigatingResults.md`](https://github.com/dotnet/skills/blob/main/eng/skill-validator/src/docs/InvestigatingResults.md). This guide covers the JSON schema for eval results and provides step-by-step instructions for downloading artifacts and inspecting failure details. ### Plugin-Specific Documentation Each plugin maintains its own README under `plugins//README.md`. Key examples include: - [`plugins/dotnet/README.md`](https://github.com/dotnet/skills/blob/main/plugins/dotnet/README.md) — Core .NET plugin documentation - [`plugins/dotnet-test/README.md`](https://github.com/dotnet/skills/blob/main/plugins/dotnet-test/README.md) — Testing-specific skills and configuration - [`plugins/dotnet-upgrade/README.md`](https://github.com/dotnet/skills/blob/main/plugins/dotnet-upgrade/README.md) — Upgrade tooling documentation ## Contributing and Design Documentation ### Contribution Guidelines The [`CONTRIBUTING.md`](https://github.com/dotnet/skills/blob/main/CONTRIBUTING.md) file outlines rules for adding new skills, plugin layout requirements, PR triage workflows, and code ownership policies. This is the authoritative source for anyone extending the project with new capabilities. ### Architectural Design Docs The `docs/` directory contains architectural diagrams, PR-triage workflows, and experimental feature notes. Specific files such as [`docs/dotnet-experimental/exp-test-maintainability-design-notes.md`](https://github.com/dotnet/skills/blob/main/docs/dotnet-experimental/exp-test-maintainability-design-notes.md) provide deep context for experimental features. ## Security and Workflow References Security policies and vulnerability scanning setup reside in [`SECURITY.md`](https://github.com/dotnet/skills/blob/main/SECURITY.md). For CI/CD pipeline details, examine [`.github/workflows/skill-validator.yml`](https://github.com/dotnet/skills/blob/main/.github/workflows/skill-validator.yml), which documents the automated validation processes that run against the codebase. ## Practical Navigation Examples When working with the documentation, use these verified commands from the source: ```bash # Register the marketplace (documented in root README) skill-installer marketplace add dotnet/skills # Install a specific skill (e.g., code-testing-researcher) skill-installer install https://github.com/dotnet/skills/tree/main/plugins/dotnet-test/skills/code-testing-researcher # Run validation with documented flags skill-validator run --eval eval.yaml --runs 3 --model gpt-4o # Download results for investigation gh run download --repo dotnet/skills --pattern "skill-validator-results-*" --dir ./eval-results ``` ## Summary - The root [`README.md`](https://github.com/dotnet/skills/blob/main/README.md) serves as the primary entry point for dotnet/skills documentation, covering installation and marketplace setup. - Validation documentation resides in [`eng/skill-validator/src/README.md`](https://github.com/dotnet/skills/blob/main/eng/skill-validator/src/README.md) with deep-dive investigation guides in [`eng/skill-validator/src/docs/InvestigatingResults.md`](https://github.com/dotnet/skills/blob/main/eng/skill-validator/src/docs/InvestigatingResults.md). - Each plugin maintains documentation at `plugins//README.md` with specific skill configurations and inputs/outputs. - Contribution standards and architectural decisions are documented in [`CONTRIBUTING.md`](https://github.com/dotnet/skills/blob/main/CONTRIBUTING.md) and the `docs/` directory respectively. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### Where is the main dotnet/skills documentation entry point? The main documentation starts at the root [`README.md`](https://github.com/dotnet/skills/blob/main/README.md) in the repository, which provides the project overview, installation instructions, and links to all plugin-specific documentation. ### How do I find documentation for the skill validator tool? The skill-validator documentation is located at [`eng/skill-validator/src/README.md`](https://github.com/dotnet/skills/blob/main/eng/skill-validator/src/README.md), which includes complete CLI syntax, eval file formats, and flags such as `--runs` and `--model`. ### Can I find documentation for individual plugins in the repository? Yes, each plugin contains its own README file under `plugins//README.md`, detailing available skills, input/output specifications, and configuration options. ### Where are the contribution guidelines for dotnet/skills? Contribution guidelines, including rules for adding new skills and plugin layout standards, are documented in [`CONTRIBUTING.md`](https://github.com/dotnet/skills/blob/main/CONTRIBUTING.md) at the repository root.