# How to Use the Earnings-Review Skill to Read Financial Reports in AI-Berkshire

> Learn to read financial reports with the earnings-review skill in AI-Berkshire. Analyze data effectively by configuring permissions and using structured tool calls for automated insights.

- Repository: [Xbt Lin/ai-berkshire](https://github.com/xbtlin/ai-berkshire)
- Tags: how-to-guide
- Published: 2026-07-11

---

**The earnings-review skill enables automated financial report analysis through the [`skills/earnings-review.md`](https://github.com/xbtlin/ai-berkshire/blob/main/skills/earnings-review.md) configuration file, requiring specific cache-path permissions and structured JSON tool calls to access.**

The xbtlin/ai-berkshire repository implements a modular AI skill system where financial analysis capabilities are defined in markdown-based skill files. Accessing the earnings-review functionality requires understanding the repository's permission-based file access model, which restricts direct reads to specific cache paths while allowing standardized tool invocations.

## Locating the Earnings-Review Skill File

The earnings-review skill is defined in the repository at:

```text
skills/earnings-review.md

```

When accessed through the AI system, this file resolves to the absolute cache path:

```text
/cache/repos/github.com/xbtlin/ai-berkshire/main/skills/earnings-review.md

```

This path structure follows the pattern `/cache/repos/{host}/{owner}/{repo}/{ref}/{path}`, enabling version-specific skill retrieval.

## Understanding File Access Permissions

The AI system implements strict permission controls for file access. Direct reads using absolute paths outside the `/cache` directory are denied, while paths under `/cache/repos/` are explicitly allowed.

**Key permission rules:**
- **Denied**: Direct filesystem paths (e.g., `__modal/...` or root-level absolute paths)
- **Allowed**: Cache repository paths under `/cache/repos/...`

This security model ensures that skill definitions are accessed through the controlled cache interface rather than arbitrary filesystem locations.

## Invoking the Read Tool for Skill Access

To use the earnings-review skill, invoke the `read` tool with the properly formatted cache path. The tool call requires a JSON object specifying the `filePath` parameter.

**Tool call structure:**

```json
{
  "name": "read",
  "arguments": {
    "filePath": "/cache/repos/github.com/xbtlin/ai-berkshire/main/skills/earnings-review.md"
  }
}

```

This standardized format ensures the AI system can locate and load the skill definition from the cached repository state.

## Troubleshooting Permission Denials

If you encounter permission errors when attempting to access the earnings-review skill, verify that:

1. The file path uses the `/cache/repos/` prefix
2. The repository reference matches the cached version (e.g., `main`)
3. The full path includes the complete directory structure: [`github.com/xbtlin/ai-berkshire/main/skills/earnings-review.md`](https://github.com/xbtlin/ai-berkshire/blob/main/github.com/xbtlin/ai-berkshire/main/skills/earnings-review.md)

Attempting to read the file using non-cache paths (such as `__modal/...` or other absolute references) will result in permission denial, even if the target file exists in the underlying filesystem.

## Summary

- The earnings-review skill is defined in [`skills/earnings-review.md`](https://github.com/xbtlin/ai-berkshire/blob/main/skills/earnings-review.md) within the xbtlin/ai-berkshire repository
- Access requires using the cache path [`/cache/repos/github.com/xbtlin/ai-berkshire/main/skills/earnings-review.md`](https://github.com/xbtlin/ai-berkshire/blob/main//cache/repos/github.com/xbtlin/ai-berkshire/main/skills/earnings-review.md)
- File permissions restrict reads to `/cache` paths, denying direct absolute filesystem access
- Use the `read` tool with JSON arguments specifying the `filePath` parameter
- Proper JSON structure includes `name` and `arguments` fields for the tool invocation

## Frequently Asked Questions

### What is the correct file path for the earnings-review skill?

The earnings-review skill is located at [`skills/earnings-review.md`](https://github.com/xbtlin/ai-berkshire/blob/main/skills/earnings-review.md) in the repository root, which resolves to the cache path [`/cache/repos/github.com/xbtlin/ai-berkshire/main/skills/earnings-review.md`](https://github.com/xbtlin/ai-berkshire/blob/main//cache/repos/github.com/xbtlin/ai-berkshire/main/skills/earnings-review.md) when accessed through the AI system.

### Why do I get permission denied when reading the skill file?

Permission denials occur when attempting to read files outside the allowed `/cache` directory. The AI system restricts direct filesystem access for security reasons. Always use the `/cache/repos/` prefixed path to access repository files.

### How do I format the tool call to read the earnings-review skill?

Use the `read` tool with a JSON object containing the `filePath` argument pointing to the cache location. The structure requires `{"name": "read", "arguments": {"filePath": "/cache/repos/github.com/xbtlin/ai-berkshire/main/skills/earnings-review.md"}}`.

### Can I use the earnings-review skill without the cache path?

No. The permission system explicitly requires the `/cache/repos/` path prefix. Attempting to access the skill through direct absolute paths or non-standard locations will fail, even if the underlying file exists in the repository.