Agent skill

smart-file-writer

Intelligent file write error handler: diagnoses permissions, disk space, path length, file locks before retrying. Auto-activates on 'Error writing file', 'Permission denied', 'Access denied', 'No space left', file write failures.

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Install this agent skill to your Project

npx add-skill https://github.com/foryourhealth111-pixel/Vibe-Skills/tree/main/bundled/skills/smart-file-writer

SKILL.md

smart-file-writer Skill

Automatically diagnoses and resolves file write errors through systematic investigation rather than blind retries. Prevents common write failures proactively.

When to Use This Skill

Auto-activates when any of these occurs:

  • "Error writing file" messages
  • "Permission denied" or "Access denied" errors
  • "No space left on device" errors
  • "File exists" conflicts
  • "Path too long" errors (Windows)
  • "Read-only file system" errors
  • Any file write operation failure (Python, CLI, any language)
  • Before critical file writes (proactive mode)

Not For / Boundaries

This skill does NOT:

  • Handle network file system issues (NFS, SMB) beyond basic diagnostics
  • Modify system-level permissions without user confirmation
  • Bypass security policies or antivirus software
  • Handle database write operations (different error domain)

Required inputs:

  • Target file path
  • Intended operation (write, append, create, etc.)
  • Error message (if reactive mode)

Quick Reference

Diagnostic Checklist (Run Before Retry)

1. Path Validation

python
import os
# Check path length (Windows: 260 char limit)
if len(filepath) > 260 and os.name == 'nt':
    print(f"Path too long: {len(filepath)} chars")

# Check parent directory exists
parent = os.path.dirname(filepath)
if not os.path.exists(parent):
    print(f"Parent directory missing: {parent}")

2. Permission Check

python
import os
# Check directory write permission
parent = os.path.dirname(filepath) or '.'
if not os.access(parent, os.W_OK):
    print(f"No write permission: {parent}")

# Check file permissions if exists
if os.path.exists(filepath):
    if not os.access(filepath, os.W_OK):
        print(f"File not writable: {filepath}")

3. Disk Space Check

python
import shutil
# Check available disk space
stat = shutil.disk_usage(os.path.dirname(filepath) or '.')
free_gb = stat.free / (1024**3)
if free_gb < 0.1:  # Less than 100MB
    print(f"Low disk space: {free_gb:.2f} GB free")

4. File Lock Detection

python
import os
# Try to open with exclusive access
try:
    with open(filepath, 'a') as f:
        pass
except PermissionError:
    print(f"File locked by another process: {filepath}")

5. Windows-Specific Checks

bash
# Check if file is in use (Windows)
handle.exe -a "filepath"

# Check file attributes
attrib "filepath"

Resolution Patterns

Pattern 1: Create Missing Directories

python
import os
os.makedirs(os.path.dirname(filepath), exist_ok=True)

Pattern 2: Atomic Write (Temp + Rename)

python
import os
import tempfile

# Write to temp file first
temp_fd, temp_path = tempfile.mkstemp(dir=os.path.dirname(filepath))
try:
    with os.fdopen(temp_fd, 'w') as f:
        f.write(content)
    # Atomic rename
    os.replace(temp_path, filepath)
except Exception as e:
    os.unlink(temp_path)
    raise

Pattern 3: Exponential Backoff for Transient Issues

python
import time

def write_with_retry(filepath, content, max_retries=3):
    for attempt in range(max_retries):
        try:
            with open(filepath, 'w') as f:
                f.write(content)
            return True
        except (PermissionError, OSError) as e:
            if attempt < max_retries - 1:
                wait = 2 ** attempt  # 1s, 2s, 4s
                time.sleep(wait)
            else:
                raise

Pattern 4: Alternative Path (Shorten Long Paths)

python
import os
import hashlib

def shorten_path(long_path):
    """Use hash for long filenames"""
    dir_path = os.path.dirname(long_path)
    filename = os.path.basename(long_path)

    if len(long_path) > 260:
        # Hash the filename
        name, ext = os.path.splitext(filename)
        hash_name = hashlib.md5(name.encode()).hexdigest()[:16]
        return os.path.join(dir_path, f"{hash_name}{ext}")
    return long_path

Pattern 5: Permission Fix Suggestions

bash
# Linux/Mac: Add write permission
chmod u+w filepath

# Windows: Remove read-only attribute
attrib -r filepath

# Windows: Take ownership (admin required)
takeown /f filepath
icacls filepath /grant %username%:F

Pattern 6: Detect Antivirus Interference

python
import time
import os

def is_antivirus_blocking(filepath):
    """Detect if antivirus is scanning file"""
    try:
        # Try to open exclusively
        with open(filepath, 'r+b') as f:
            pass
        return False
    except PermissionError:
        # Wait and retry
        time.sleep(0.5)
        try:
            with open(filepath, 'r+b') as f:
                pass
            return True  # Was temporarily blocked
        except:
            return False  # Persistent block

Proactive Pre-Write Validation

Before Any Critical Write

python
def validate_write_conditions(filepath):
    """Run before writing important files"""
    issues = []

    # 1. Path length
    if len(filepath) > 260 and os.name == 'nt':
        issues.append(f"Path too long: {len(filepath)} chars")

    # 2. Parent directory
    parent = os.path.dirname(filepath) or '.'
    if not os.path.exists(parent):
        issues.append(f"Parent missing: {parent}")
    elif not os.access(parent, os.W_OK):
        issues.append(f"No write permission: {parent}")

    # 3. Disk space
    stat = shutil.disk_usage(parent)
    if stat.free < 100 * 1024 * 1024:  # 100MB
        issues.append(f"Low disk space: {stat.free / 1024**2:.1f} MB")

    # 4. File exists and writable
    if os.path.exists(filepath):
        if not os.access(filepath, os.W_OK):
            issues.append(f"File not writable: {filepath}")

    return issues

Integration with Claude Code Tools

Wrap Write Tool

python
# Before using Write tool, validate:
issues = validate_write_conditions(target_path)
if issues:
    print("Pre-write validation failed:")
    for issue in issues:
        print(f"  - {issue}")
    # Take corrective action
else:
    # Proceed with Write tool

Wrap Edit Tool

python
# Before editing, check file is writable
if not os.access(filepath, os.W_OK):
    print(f"Cannot edit: {filepath} is read-only")
    # Suggest: chmod u+w or attrib -r

Wrap Bash File Operations

bash
# Before redirecting output
if [ ! -w "$(dirname "$output_file")" ]; then
    echo "Cannot write to directory"
    exit 1
fi

Examples

Example 1: Reactive - Handle "Error writing file"

Input:

  • Error: "Error writing file: results/model_checkpoint.pth"
  • Operation: torch.save(model.state_dict(), filepath)

Steps:

  1. Run diagnostic checklist:
    • Path length: 45 chars ✓
    • Parent exists: No ✗
    • Permissions: N/A (parent missing)
    • Disk space: 50GB ✓
  2. Root cause: Parent directory doesn't exist
  3. Resolution: os.makedirs('results', exist_ok=True)
  4. Retry write operation
  5. Success

Expected output:

Diagnosis: Parent directory 'results' does not exist
Resolution: Created directory 'results'
Retry: torch.save() succeeded

Example 2: Proactive - Prevent Long Path Error

Input:

  • Target: D:\very\long\path\with\many\subdirectories\...\extremely_long_filename_that_exceeds_windows_limit.csv
  • Operation: pandas.to_csv()

Steps:

  1. Pre-write validation detects path length: 285 chars
  2. Suggest shortened path using hash
  3. Create mapping file for reference
  4. Write to shortened path
  5. Log original -> shortened mapping

Expected output:

Warning: Path length 285 chars exceeds Windows limit (260)
Alternative: D:\very\long\path\...\a3f5e8b2c1d4.csv
Mapping saved to: path_mappings.json
Write succeeded to alternative path

Example 3: Reactive - Permission Denied on Windows

Input:

  • Error: "PermissionError: [Errno 13] Permission denied: 'data.csv'"
  • Operation: Writing CSV file

Steps:

  1. Run diagnostic checklist:
    • File exists: Yes
    • File attributes: Read-only ✗
    • File lock: Not locked
    • Permissions: Read-only attribute set
  2. Root cause: File has read-only attribute
  3. Resolution: Suggest attrib -r data.csv
  4. After user confirms, remove attribute
  5. Retry write

Expected output:

Diagnosis: File 'data.csv' has read-only attribute
Resolution: Run 'attrib -r data.csv' to remove read-only flag
[After user confirmation]
Attribute removed. Retry succeeded.

Example 4: Reactive - File Locked by Another Process

Input:

  • Error: "PermissionError: [Errno 13] Permission denied: 'report.xlsx'"
  • Operation: Writing Excel file

Steps:

  1. Run diagnostic checklist:
    • File exists: Yes
    • Permissions: Writable
    • File lock test: Locked ✗
  2. Root cause: File open in Excel
  3. Resolution: Cannot proceed, inform user
  4. Suggest: Close Excel or write to alternative filename

Expected output:

Diagnosis: File 'report.xlsx' is locked by another process
Likely cause: File is open in Microsoft Excel
Resolution options:
  1. Close Excel and retry
  2. Write to alternative: 'report_new.xlsx'
  3. Use atomic write with temp file
Cannot proceed automatically. User action required.

Example 5: Proactive - Low Disk Space

Input:

  • Target: Large model checkpoint (2GB)
  • Operation: torch.save()

Steps:

  1. Pre-write validation checks disk space
  2. Detects only 500MB free
  3. Warns before attempting write
  4. Suggests cleanup or alternative location

Expected output:

Warning: Insufficient disk space
Required: ~2.0 GB
Available: 0.5 GB
Recommendations:
  1. Clean up temporary files
  2. Write to alternative drive: E:\
  3. Compress checkpoint before saving
Write operation blocked to prevent failure.

References

  • references/diagnostic-procedures.md: Detailed diagnostic workflows
  • references/platform-specific.md: Windows/Linux/Mac specific issues
  • references/integration-guide.md: Integrating with Claude Code tools
  • references/error-catalog.md: Common error messages and solutions

Maintenance

  • Sources: Python os/shutil docs, Windows file system limits, POSIX standards
  • Last updated: 2026-01-20
  • Known limits:
    • Network file systems (NFS/SMB) require specialized handling
    • Some antivirus software cannot be reliably detected
    • System-level permission changes require admin rights

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