Handbook Updates logo

Handbook Updates

OrganizationPopular
anthropics
handbook-updates

Diff a proposed handbook change against the current version, flag ripple effects and state supplement impacts. Use when user says "update the handbook", "add this to the handbook", "handbook change", or has a policy ready for insertion.

Overview

Publisheranthropics
Repositoryclaude-for-legal
Skill namehandbook-updates
Stars
9.5K
Forks
1.8K
Bundled files
Instructions only
LicenseApache-2.0
Links
Skill sourceRepository
  • Markdown instructions

    A SKILL.md file the model loads on demand, so it only costs tokens when a request actually matches.

  • Works with any LLM

    AI skills are plain Markdown, not provider-specific code, so this works with GPT, Claude, Gemini, Grok, or a local model.

  • Self-contained

    Everything the model needs lives in the instructions — no extra files to sync.

  • Open source

    Published by anthropics on GitHub. Read the source before you install it.

Installation

Install the Handbook Updates AI skill in TypingMind to use it with any LLM, or drop it into another agent that reads SKILL.md.

1

Install in TypingMind

TypingMind installs a skill straight from its GitHub folder — it reads SKILL.md, bundles the resource files, and stores the result locally.

  1. Open the app and go to Plugins → Skills.
  2. Choose "Install from GitHub".
  3. Paste the skill folder URL below and confirm.
  4. Enable the skill in any chat where you want it available.
Plugins → Skills → Add skill → From GitHub URL, then paste the folder URL and press Continue.
2

Install in another agent

Any agent that reads the Agent Skills format can use this skill — copy the folder into that agent's skills directory.

Claude Code — .claude/skills
git clone --depth 1 https://github.com/anthropics/claude-for-legal.git /tmp/claude-for-legal
mkdir -p .claude/skills
cp -r /tmp/claude-for-legal/employment-legal/skills/handbook-updates .claude/skills/handbook-updates
Restart Claude Code after copying so it picks up the new skill.

Use it in TypingMind

Enable Handbook Updates in any TypingMind chat and the model takes it from there. Its name and description sit in the system prompt, and the moment a request matches, the model loads the full instructions itself — you never invoke it by hand, and it costs no tokens until it is actually used.

The model loads Handbook Updates on its own as soon as a request matches it.

Works with any AI model

AI skills are plain Markdown instructions rather than provider-specific code, so Handbook Updates is not tied to the model it was written for. Install it once in TypingMind and use it with GPT-5, Claude, Gemini, Grok, DeepSeek, Mistral, Llama, or a local model you run yourself — all on your own API keys.

  • Loaded only when it is needed

    The system prompt carries just the name and description. The instructions are fetched on the first matching request, so an idle skill costs nothing.

  • Switch models mid-chat

    Because the skill is instructions rather than code, changing model does not break it — the next model reads the same SKILL.md.

Skill instructions

This is the SKILL.md content the model loads. Read it before installing — a skill is instructions your model will follow.

Handbook Updates

Matter context

Matter context. Check ## Matter workspaces in the practice-level CLAUDE.md. If Enabled is ✗ (the default for in-house users), skip the rest of this paragraph — skills use practice-level context and the matter machinery is invisible. If enabled and there is no active matter, ask: "Which matter is this for? Run /employment-legal:matter-workspace switch <slug> or say practice-level." Load the active matter's matter.md for matter-specific context and overrides. Write outputs to the matter folder at ~/.claude/plugins/config/claude-for-legal/employment-legal/matters/<matter-slug>/. Never read another matter's files unless Cross-matter context is on.

Purpose

Handbook changes have ripple effects. Change the PTO policy and you've affected the final pay calculation, the leave policy cross-reference, and three state supplements. This skill finds the ripples before they become inconsistencies.

Load context

~/.claude/plugins/config/claude-for-legal/employment-legal/CLAUDE.md → handbook location, state supplements list, update cadence.

Workflow

Step 1: Get the change

  • What section is changing?
  • What's the new language?
  • Why? (Legal requirement, policy decision, cleanup)

Step 2: Diff against current

Read the current handbook section. Show the diff:

diff
- [old language]
+ [new language]

Step 3: Find cross-references

Search the handbook for references to the changed section:

  • Other policies that cite this one ("see the PTO policy for accrual rates")
  • Defined terms that this section uses or defines
  • State supplements that modify this section

Each cross-reference: does it still make sense after the change? Flag any that break.

Step 4: State supplement impact

For each state supplement in ~/.claude/plugins/config/claude-for-legal/employment-legal/CLAUDE.md:

  • Does this supplement modify the section being changed?
  • Does the change make the supplement obsolete, wrong, or incomplete?
  • Does the change create a need for a new supplement in a state that didn't need one before?

Step 5: Promise check

Is the change reducing something the old version promised?

If yes: that's a risk. Some states treat handbook policies as contractual. Reducing a benefit may need more than just updating the document — advance notice, consideration, or in some cases it can't be done retroactively.

Flag this. Don't block it — but flag it.

Output

markdown
## Handbook Update: [Section name]

### Change

[diff]

### Cross-reference impact

| Section | References changed section | Still accurate? | Fix needed |
|---|---|---|---|
| [name] | [how] | ✅/⚠️ | [what] |

### State supplement impact

| State | Current supplement | After change | Action |
|---|---|---|---|
| [state] | [what it says] | [still valid / obsolete / needs update] | [none / update / new supplement needed] |

### Promise check

[If reducing a benefit: flag + jurisdictional risk note]

### Ready to publish

- [ ] Cross-references updated
- [ ] State supplements updated
- [ ] [If benefit reduction: notice/consideration addressed]
- [ ] Version number and date updated
- [ ] Acknowledgment process (if required)

What this skill does not do

  • Approve handbook changes. HR/legal leadership does.
  • Communicate changes to employees.
  • Track acknowledgments.

Frequently asked questions

What does the Handbook Updates AI skill do?

Diff a proposed handbook change against the current version, flag ripple effects and state supplement impacts. Use when user says "update the handbook", "add this to the handbook", "handbook change", or has a policy ready for insertion.

Why use Handbook Updates on TypingMind?

Because you install it once and use it with any model. Handbook Updates is plain Markdown rather than provider-specific code, so the same skill runs on GPT-5, Claude, Gemini, Grok, or a local model — and you can switch model mid-chat without it breaking. TypingMind runs on your own API keys, so you pay providers directly instead of a per-seat subscription, and your skills and chats stay in your own storage.

How do I install Handbook Updates in TypingMind?

Open Plugins → Skills → Install from GitHub in TypingMind and paste https://github.com/anthropics/claude-for-legal/tree/main/employment-legal/skills/handbook-updates. TypingMind reads its SKILL.md and installs it as a skill you can enable per chat.

Which AI models can use Handbook Updates?

Any model you connect in TypingMind. AI skills are plain Markdown instructions rather than provider-specific code, so GPT, Claude, Gemini, Grok, and local models can all load this skill when a request matches it.

How many AI models can I use with Handbook Updates?

As many as you like. As long as a model supports skills, you can use Handbook Updates with it — GPT, Claude, Gemini, Grok, DeepSeek, Mistral, Llama and more — all on TypingMind with your own API keys.

Is the Handbook Updates AI skill free?

Yes. It is published on GitHub by anthropics under the Apache-2.0 license. You only pay your own AI provider for the tokens you use.

What are AI skills?

An AI skill is a reusable instruction bundle that teaches an AI model how to do one specific task. It follows the open Agent Skills format: a SKILL.md file with a name and description, plus any scripts, templates or reference files the model may need. The model reads the instructions only when your request matches the skill, so an installed skill costs nothing until it is used.

How are AI skills different from plugins or MCP servers?

A plugin or MCP server gives a model new tools to call — code that runs somewhere and returns a result. An AI skill gives the model knowledge and process instead: how to approach a task, which steps to follow, what good output looks like. Skills are plain Markdown, so they need no server, no API key and no runtime, and they work with any model.

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