Run Nx Generator

Overview

This public intake copy packages

packages/skills-catalog/skills/(tooling)/nx-generate

https://github.com/tech-leads-club/agent-skills

Use it when the operator needs the upstream workflow, support files, and repository context to stay intact while the public validator and private enhancer continue their normal downstream flow.

This intake keeps the copied upstream files intact and uses

metadata.json

ORIGIN.md

Run Nx Generator Nx generators are powerful tools that scaffold projects, make automated code migrations or automate repetitive tasks in a monorepo. They ensure consistency across the codebase and reduce boilerplate work. This skill applies when the user wants to: - Create new projects like libraries or applications - Scaffold features or boilerplate code - Run workspace-specific or custom generators - Do anything else that an nx generator exists for

Imported source sections that did not map cleanly to the public headings are still preserved below or in the support files. Notable imported sections: Generator Discovery Flow, Pre-Execution Checklist, Execution, Post-Generation, Error Handling.

When to Use This Skill

Use this section as the trigger filter. It should make the activation boundary explicit before the operator loads files, runs commands, or opens a pull request.

• Use when the request clearly matches the imported source intent: Generate code using Nx generators — scaffold projects, libraries, features, or run workspace-specific generators with proper discovery, validation, and verification. Use when user says "create a new library", "scaffold....
• Use when the operator should preserve upstream workflow detail instead of rewriting the process from scratch.
• Use when provenance needs to stay visible in the answer, PR, or review packet.
• Use when copied upstream references, examples, or scripts materially improve the answer.
• Use when the workflow should remain reviewable in the public intake repo before the private enhancer takes over.

Operating Table

metadata.json

ORIGIN.md

SKILL.md

SKILL.md

## Related Skills

Workflow

This workflow is intentionally editorial and operational at the same time. It keeps the imported source useful to the operator while still satisfying the public intake standards that feed the downstream enhancer flow.

1. Confirm the user goal, the scope of the imported workflow, and whether this skill is still the right router for the task.
2. Read the overview and provenance files before loading any copied upstream support files.
3. Load only the references, examples, prompts, or scripts that materially change the outcome for the current request.
4. Execute the upstream workflow while keeping provenance and source boundaries explicit in the working notes.
5. Validate the result against the upstream expectations and the evidence you can point to in the copied files.
6. Escalate or hand off to a related skill when the work moves out of this imported workflow's center of gravity.
7. Before merge or closure, record what was used, what changed, and what the reviewer still needs to verify.

Imported Workflow Notes

Imported: Generator Discovery Flow

Step 1: List Available Generators

Use the Nx CLI to discover available generators:

• List all generators for a plugin:

  npx nx list @nx/react

• View available plugins:

  npx nx list

This includes:

• Plugin generators (e.g.,

  @nx/react:library

  ,

  @nx/js:library

  )
• Local workspace generators (defined in the repo's own plugins)

Step 2: Match Generator to User Request

Based on the user's request, identify which generator(s) could fulfill their needs. Consider:

• What artifact type they want to create (library, application, etc.)
• Which framework or technology stack is relevant
• Whether they mentioned specific generator names

IMPORTANT: When both a local workspace generator and an external plugin generator could satisfy the request, always prefer the local workspace generator. Local generators are customized for the specific repo's patterns and conventions.

It's possible that the user request is something that no Nx generator exists for whatsoever. In this case, you can stop using this skill and try to help the user another way. HOWEVER, the burden of proof for this is high. Before aborting, carefully consider each and every generator that's available. Look into details for any that could be related in any way before making this decision.

Examples

Example 1: Ask for the upstream workflow directly

Use @nx-generate to handle <task>. Start from the copied upstream workflow, load only the files that change the outcome, and keep provenance visible in the answer.

Explanation: This is the safest starting point when the operator needs the imported workflow, but not the entire repository.

Example 2: Ask for a provenance-grounded review

Review @nx-generate against metadata.json and ORIGIN.md, then explain which copied upstream files you would load first and why.

Explanation: Use this before review or troubleshooting when you need a precise, auditable explanation of origin and file selection.

Example 3: Narrow the copied support files before execution

Use @nx-generate for <task>. Load only the copied references, examples, or scripts that change the outcome, and name the files explicitly before proceeding.

Explanation: This keeps the skill aligned with progressive disclosure instead of loading the whole copied package by default.

Example 4: Build a reviewer packet

Review @nx-generate using the copied upstream files plus provenance, then summarize any gaps before merge.

Explanation: This is useful when the PR is waiting for human review and you want a repeatable audit packet.

Best Practices

Treat the generated public skill as a reviewable packaging layer around the upstream repository. The goal is to keep provenance explicit and load only the copied source material that materially improves execution.

• Local generators first - Always prefer workspace/local generators over external plugin generators when both could work
• Understand before running - Read both the schema AND the source code to fully understand what will happen
• No prompts - Always use --no-interactive to prevent hanging
• Generators are starting points - Modify the output as needed to fully satisfy the user's requirements
• Verify changes work - Don't just generate; ensure the code builds, lints, and tests pass
• Be proactive about fixes - Don't just report errors; attempt to resolve them automatically when possible
• Match repo patterns - Study existing similar code in the repo and match its conventions

Imported Operating Notes

Imported: Key Principles

1. Local generators first - Always prefer workspace/local generators over external plugin generators when both could work

2. Understand before running - Read both the schema AND the source code to fully understand what will happen

3. No prompts - Always use

   --no-interactive

   to prevent hanging

4. Generators are starting points - Modify the output as needed to fully satisfy the user's requirements

5. Verify changes work - Don't just generate; ensure the code builds, lints, and tests pass

6. Be proactive about fixes - Don't just report errors; attempt to resolve them automatically when possible

7. Match repo patterns - Study existing similar code in the repo and match its conventions

Troubleshooting

Problem: The operator skipped the imported context and answered too generically

Symptoms: The result ignores the upstream workflow in

packages/skills-catalog/skills/(tooling)/nx-generate

metadata.json

ORIGIN.md

Problem: The imported workflow feels incomplete during review

Symptoms: Reviewers can see the generated

SKILL.md

Problem: The task drifted into a different specialization

Symptoms: The imported skill starts in the right place, but the work turns into debugging, architecture, design, security, or release orchestration that a native skill handles better. Solution: Use the related skills section to hand off deliberately. Keep the imported provenance visible so the next skill inherits the right context instead of starting blind.

Related Skills

• @accessibility

  - Use when the work is better handled by that native specialization after this imported skill establishes context.

• @ai-cold-outreach

  - Use when the work is better handled by that native specialization after this imported skill establishes context.

• @ai-pricing

  - Use when the work is better handled by that native specialization after this imported skill establishes context.

• @ai-sdr

  - Use when the work is better handled by that native specialization after this imported skill establishes context.

Additional Resources

Use this support matrix and the linked files below as the operator packet for this imported skill. They should reflect real copied source material, not generic scaffolding.

references

references/n/a

examples

examples/n/a

scripts

scripts/n/a

agents

agents/n/a

assets

assets/n/a

Imported Reference Notes

Imported: Pre-Execution Checklist

Before running any generator, complete these steps:

1. Fetch Generator Schema

Use the

--help

npx nx g @nx/react:library --help

Pay attention to:

• Required options that must be provided
• Optional options that may be relevant to the user's request
• Default values that might need to be overridden

2. Read Generator Source Code

Understanding what the generator actually does helps you:

• Know what files will be created/modified
• Understand any side effects (updating configs, installing deps, etc.)
• Identify options that might not be obvious from the schema

To find generator source code:

• For plugin generators: Use

  node -e "console.log(require.resolve('@nx/<plugin>/generators.json'));"

  to find the generators.json, then locate the source from there
• If that fails, read directly from

  node_modules/<plugin>/generators.json

• For local generators: They are typically in

  tools/generators/

  or a local plugin directory. You can search the repo for the generator name to find it.

2.5 Reevaluate if the generator is right

Once you have built up an understanding of what the selected generator does, reconsider: Is this the right generator to service the user request? If not, it's okay to go back to the Generator Discovery Flow and select a different generator before proceeding. If you do, make sure to go through the entire pre-execution checklist once more.

3. Understand Repo Context

Before generating, examine the target area of the codebase:

• Look at similar existing artifacts (other libraries, applications, etc.)
• Identify patterns and conventions used in the repo
• Note naming conventions, file structures, and configuration patterns
• Try to match these patterns when configuring the generator

For example, if similar libraries are using a specific test runner, build tool or linter, try to match that if possible. If projects or other artifacts are organized with a specific naming convention, try to match it.

4. Validate Required Options

Ensure all required options have values:

• Map the user's request to generator options
• Infer values from context where possible
• Ask the user for any critical missing information

Imported: Execution

Keep in mind that you might have to prefix things with npx/pnpx/yarn if the user doesn't have nx installed globally. Many generators will behave differently based on where they are executed. For example, first-party nx library generators use the cwd to determine the directory that the library should be placed in. This is highly important.

Consider Dry-Run (Optional)

Running with

--dry-run

• For complex generators or unfamiliar territory: do a dry-run first
• For simple, well-understood generators: may proceed directly
• Dry-run shows file names and created/deleted/modified markers, but not content
• There are cases where a generator does not support dry-run (for example if it had to install an npm package) - in that case --dry-run might fail. Don't be discouraged but simply move on to running the generator for real and iterating from there.

Running the Generator

Execute the generator with:

nx generate <generator-name> <options> --no-interactive

CRITICAL: Always include

--no-interactive

Example:

nx generate @nx/react:library --name=my-utils --no-interactive

Handling Generator Failures

If the generator fails:

1. Diagnose the error - Read the error message carefully
2. Identify the cause - Missing options, invalid values, conflicts, etc.
3. Attempt automatic fix - Adjust options or resolve conflicts
4. Retry - Run the generator again with corrected options

Common failure reasons:

• Missing required options
• Invalid option values
• Conflicting with existing files
• Missing dependencies
• Generator doesn't support certain flag combinations

Imported: Post-Generation

1. Modify Generated Code (If Needed)

Generators provide a starting point, but the output may need adjustment to match the user's specific requirements:

• Add or modify functionality as requested
• Adjust imports, exports, or configurations
• Integrate with existing code patterns in the repo

2. Format Code

Run formatting on all generated/modified files:

nx format --fix

Languages other than javascript/typescript might need other formatting invocations too.

3. Run Verification

Verify that the generated code works correctly. What this looks like will vary depending on the type of generator and the targets available. If the generator created a new project, run its targets directly Use your best judgement to determine what needs to be verified.

Example:

nx lint <new-project>
nx test <new-project>
nx build <new-project>

4. Handle Verification Failures

When verification fails:

If scope is manageable (a few lint errors, minor type issues):

• Fix the issues
• Re-run verification to confirm

If issues are extensive (many errors, complex problems):

• Attempt simple, obvious fixes first
• If still failing, escalate to the user with:
  • Description of what was generated
  • What verification is failing
  • What you've attempted to fix
  • Remaining issues that need user input

Imported: Error Handling

Generator Failures

• Check the error message for specific causes
• Verify all required options are provided
• Check for conflicts with existing files
• Ensure the generator name and options are correct

Missing Options

• Consult the generator schema for required fields
• Infer values from context when reasonable
• Ask the user for values that cannot be inferred