---
url: /rules/commands/commands-deprecated-directory.md
description: Legacy commands directory; prefer skills for new work
---

# commands-deprecated-directory

## Rule Details

Commands were the original way to add custom slash commands to Claude Code, and remain supported with the same invocation behavior. Skills add a directory for supporting files and are preferred for new work. This rule fires when a `.claude/commands` directory exists in the project, as an optional migration advisory, not an unsupported-format error. The authority is the [Skills reference](https://code.claude.com/docs/en/skills).

### Incorrect

Project with a .claude/commands directory

```text
.claude/
  commands/
    deploy.md
    test-all.md
```

Legacy command file in .claude/commands

````markdown
# .claude/commands/deploy.md
Run the deployment script.

```bash
./scripts/deploy.sh
```
````

### Correct

Project migrated to Skills

```text
.claude/
  skills/
    deploy/
      SKILL.md
      deploy.sh
    test-all/
      SKILL.md
      test-all.sh
```

Equivalent skill with proper structure

```markdown
# .claude/skills/deploy/SKILL.md
---
name: deploy
description: Run the deployment script
---

## Usage

Invoke with `/deploy` to run the deployment pipeline.
```

## How To Fix

For new work, create a `.claude/skills/<skill-name>/` directory with a `SKILL.md` and move command scripts into it. Then remove the old `.claude/commands/` directory. See the [Skills documentation](https://code.claude.com/docs/en/skills) for the full format.

## Options

This rule does not have any configuration options.

## When Not To Use It

Disable this rule if you are intentionally maintaining legacy commands alongside skills during a gradual migration.

## Related Rules

* [`plugin-commands-deprecated`](/rules/plugin/plugin-commands-deprecated)

## Resources

* [Rule Implementation](https://github.com/pdugan20/claudelint/blob/main/src/rules/commands/commands-deprecated-directory.ts)
* [Rule Tests](https://github.com/pdugan20/claudelint/blob/main/tests/rules/commands/commands-deprecated-directory.test.ts)

## Version

Available since: v0.2.0