diff --git a/skills/create-cpp-api/SKILL.md b/skills/create-cpp-api/SKILL.md
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+---
+name: create-cpp-api
+description: Creates a new C++ API project by copying the cpp/app template files and installs custom AI rules.
+inputs:
+  - id: workspace_name
+    name: Workspace Name
+    type: string
+    description: The name of the folder for the new project
+---
+
+## When to Use This Skill
+
+Use this skill when the user wants to create a minimal C++ HTTP API project from the C++ API template (`cpp/app`) and run it locally using Docker.
+
+## Instructions
+
+1. **Read Setup Instructions**
+   Review the [setup instructions](resources/setup_instructions.md) to understand how to initialize the project.
+
+   *Action:* Read `resources/setup_instructions.md`.
+
+2. **Execute Setup**
+   Follow the steps outlined in `resources/setup_instructions.md` to:
+   - Ensure Docker is installed.
+   - Create the workspace folder (using the `workspace_name` input).
+   - Copy template files from `cpp/app` into the new workspace.
+   - Create the `.agents/rules/cpp-api.md` file using the content from `resources/ai_rules.md`.
+     - Ensure the `.agents/rules/` directory exists.
+
+3. **Final Verification**
+   Check that:
+   - `cloud_run_hello.cc` exists in the new project
+   - `CMakeLists.txt` exists in the new project
+   - `Dockerfile` exists in the new project
+   - `docker-compose.yml` exists in the new project
+   - `.agents/rules/cpp-api.md` exists
diff --git a/skills/create-cpp-api/resources/ai_rules.md b/skills/create-cpp-api/resources/ai_rules.md
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+# Gemini AI Rules for C++ API Projects
+
+## 1. Persona & Expertise
+
+You are an expert backend developer specializing in C++ and containerized services. You understand:
+- Modern C++ (C++17)
+- Build systems, particularly CMake (`CMakeLists.txt`)
+- Containerization using Docker (`Dockerfile`, `docker-compose.yml`)
+- C++ dependency management (specifically with `vcpkg`)
+- HTTP APIs and web server fundamentals
+- Secure handling of environment variables
+
+## 2. Project Context
+
+This project is a minimal C++ backend API service based on the [Google Cloud Run C++ Quickstart](https://cloud.google.com/run/docs/quickstarts/build-and-deploy/deploy-c-plus-plus-service).
+
+It is intended to be used as a Firebase Studio (formerly Project IDX) template and also runnable locally as long as the user has Docker installed.
+
+Default assumptions:
+- Single C++ entrypoint: `cloud_run_hello.cc`
+- Build is defined by `CMakeLists.txt` and triggered within the `Dockerfile`.
+- Dependencies are declared in `vcpkg.json`.
+- The service is containerized via `Dockerfile` and orchestrated with `docker-compose.yml`.
+- The container listens on port 8080, which is mapped to port 3000 on the host.
+
+## 3. Development Environment
+
+This project is configured to run in a containerized environment managed by Docker.
+
+When providing instructions:
+- The primary prerequisite for the user is a working Docker installation (with Docker Compose).
+- The Firebase Studio environment may already provide Docker.
+- Running the app is done via:
+  - `docker-compose up --build`
+- The service is typically available at:
+  - `http://localhost:3000`
+
+## 4. Coding Standards & Best Practices
+
+### General C++
+- Prefer modern, idiomatic C++.
+- Use clear naming conventions for variables and functions.
+
+### Build & Dependencies
+- Avoid introducing new system-level dependencies. Prefer managing C++ libraries via `vcpkg.json`.
+- If adding a dependency with `vcpkg`, explain why and instruct the user to add it to `vcpkg.json`. The `Dockerfile` will handle the installation.
+- Keep the `CMakeLists.txt` file clean and focused on building the application.
+
+### Containerization
+- Follow Docker best practices, such as using multi-stage builds to keep the final image small.
+- All environment setup should be handled within the `Dockerfile`.
+
+### Secrets & Environment Variables
+- Never hardcode secrets (tokens, keys, credentials) in the source code.
+- Use environment variables for configuration. These can be passed into the container via the `docker-compose.yml` file if needed.
+- Avoid logging secrets.
+
+## 5. Interaction Guidelines
+
+- Provide clear, actionable steps.
+- When generating code, provide complete file contents for C++, CMake, or Docker files.
+- If the request is ambiguous, ask for clarification.
+- Keep instructions compatible with both Firebase Studio and local setups where Docker is the common denominator.
diff --git a/skills/create-cpp-api/resources/setup_instructions.md b/skills/create-cpp-api/resources/setup_instructions.md
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+# C++ API Workspace Setup Instructions
+
+Follow these steps to initialize the workspace.
+
+## 1. Install prerequisites (Docker)
+
+This skill requires:
+- Docker
+- Docker Compose
+
+### 1.1 Verify
+Run:
+- `docker --version`
+- `docker-compose --version`
+
+If both commands work, go to **Step 2**.
+
+### 1.2 Install Docker
+Docker is required to build and run this C++ application. The installation process is OS-specific.
+
+Please follow the official instructions for your operating system:
+- **Windows:** [https://docs.docker.com/desktop/install/windows-install/](https://docs.docker.com/desktop/install/windows-install/)
+- **macOS:** [https://docs.docker.com/desktop/install/mac-install/](https://docs.docker.com/desktop/install/mac-install/)
+- **Linux:** [https://docs.docker.com/engine/install/](https://docs.docker.com/engine/install/)
+
+After installation, restart your terminal and verify again.
+
+---
+
+## 2. Create the project (copy template files)
+
+Set workspace name:
+- `WS_NAME="<workspace_name>"`
+
+From the repo root (or any directory), create the folder:
+
+```bash
+mkdir -p "$WS_NAME"
+```
+
+Copy the C++ API template files into the workspace:
+
+```bash
+# Copy from this repo’s cpp/app template into the new workspace
+cp -R "<skill_root>/../../cpp/app/." "$WS_NAME/"
+```
+
+Then enter the workspace:
+
+```bash
+cd "$WS_NAME"
+```
+
+## 3. Configure Agents Rules
+
+Create a file named `.agents/rules/cpp-api.md` inside the new workspace directory.
+
+Copy the content from: `resources/ai_rules.md`
+
+Commands:
+
+```bash
+mkdir -p .agents/rules
+# then create .agents/rules/cpp-api.md and paste contents from resources/ai_rules.md
+```
+
+## 4. Run server
+
+From within the workspace directory, run:
+
+```bash
+docker-compose up --build
+```
+
+This will build the Docker image and start the service. The server runs on:
+
+`http://localhost:3000`
+
+Verify:
+
+```bash
+curl http://localhost:3000/
+```
+
+Expected response:
+
+```
+Hello, World!
+```
diff --git a/skills/create-cpp-api/scripts/install_cpp_dependencies.ps1 b/skills/create-cpp-api/scripts/install_cpp_dependencies.ps1
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index 00000000..adf01f52
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+++ b/skills/create-cpp-api/scripts/install_cpp_dependencies.ps1
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+# This script verifies that Docker and Docker Compose are installed,
+# as they are required to build and run this project.
+# It does NOT install them automatically, as Docker installation is complex
+# and requires user intervention.
+
+$ErrorActionPreference = "Stop"
+Set-StrictMode -Version Latest
+
+Write-Host "Checking for Docker..."
+
+$docker_exists = Get-Command docker -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue
+if (-not $docker_exists) {
+    Write-Error "Error: 'docker' command not found."
+    Write-Host "Docker is required to build and run this C++ project."
+    Write-Host "Please install Docker Desktop for Windows by following the official instructions:"
+    Write-Host "https://docs.docker.com/desktop/install/windows-install/"
+    Write-Host "After installation, please restart your terminal or PowerShell session and try again."
+    exit 1
+}
+
+$docker_version = (docker --version).Trim()
+Write-Host "Docker found: $docker_version"
+
+Write-Host "Checking for Docker Compose..."
+
+$compose_v1_exists = Get-Command docker-compose -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue
+$compose_v2_works = $false
+try {
+    docker compose version | Out-Null
+    $compose_v2_works = $true
+} catch {
+    # docker compose is not a valid command, so v2 is not present
+}
+
+if ($compose_v1_exists) {
+    $compose_version = (docker-compose --version).Trim()
+    Write-Host "Docker Compose (v1) found: $compose_version"
+} elseif ($compose_v2_works) {
+    $compose_version = (docker compose version).Trim()
+    Write-Host "Docker Compose (v2) found: $compose_version"
+} else {
+    Write-Error "Error: 'docker-compose' or 'docker compose' command not found."
+    Write-Host "Docker Compose is required to run the application."
+    Write-Host "It is included with Docker Desktop. If it's missing, please ensure your Docker Desktop installation is up to date."
+    Write-Host "See: https://docs.docker.com/compose/install/"
+    Write-Host "After installation, please restart your terminal or PowerShell session and try again."
+    exit 1
+}
+
+Write-Host "All required dependencies (Docker, Docker Compose) are present."
+exit 0
diff --git a/skills/create-cpp-api/scripts/install_cpp_dependencies.sh b/skills/create-cpp-api/scripts/install_cpp_dependencies.sh
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+#!/usr/bin/env bash
+set -euo pipefail
+
+# This script verifies that Docker and Docker Compose are installed,
+# as they are required to build and run this project.
+# It does NOT install them automatically, as Docker installation is
+# platform-specific and requires user intervention.
+
+echo "Checking for Docker..."
+
+if ! command -v docker &> /dev/null; then
+    echo "Error: 'docker' command not found."
+    echo "Docker is required to build and run this C++ project."
+    echo "Please install Docker for your system by following the official instructions:"
+    echo "- macOS: https://docs.docker.com/desktop/install/mac-install/"
+    echo "- Linux: https://docs.docker.com/engine/install/"
+    echo "After installation, please restart your terminal and try again."
+    exit 1
+fi
+
+echo "Docker found: $(docker --version)"
+
+echo "Checking for Docker Compose..."
+
+# Check for both 'docker-compose' (v1) and 'docker compose' (v2)
+if command -v docker-compose &> /dev/null; then
+    echo "Docker Compose (v1) found: $(docker-compose --version)"
+elif docker compose version &> /dev/null; then
+    echo "Docker Compose (v2) found: $(docker compose version)"
+else
+    echo "Error: 'docker-compose' or 'docker compose' command not found."
+    echo "Docker Compose is required to run the application."
+    echo "It is typically included with Docker Desktop. If you are on Linux, you may need to install it separately."
+    echo "See: https://docs.docker.com/compose/install/"
+    echo "After installation, please restart your terminal and try again."
+    exit 1
+fi
+
+echo "All required dependencies (Docker, Docker Compose) are present."
+exit 0