Powershell Windows
PowerShell Windows patterns. Critical pitfalls, operator syntax, error handling.
Specification
- Skill ID
- davila7/claude-code-templates/powershell-windows
- Publisher
- davila7
- Repository
- claude-code-templates
- Installs
- 0
- Files
- 1
- Synced
- Sep 23, 2026
How to use it
Open any RiverX project, open the Skills panel in the chat, and search for this identifier. The files are fetched from the source repository at install time.
davila7/claude-code-templates/powershell-windowsInstalls these files- SKILL.md
What this skill tells the agent
PowerShell Windows Patterns
Critical patterns and pitfalls for Windows PowerShell.
1. Operator Syntax Rules
CRITICAL: Parentheses Required
| ❌ Wrong | ✅ Correct |
|---|---|
if (Test-Path "a" -or Test-Path "b") | if ((Test-Path "a") -or (Test-Path "b")) |
if (Get-Item $x -and $y -eq 5) | if ((Get-Item $x) -and ($y -eq 5)) |
Rule: Each cmdlet call MUST be in parentheses when using logical operators.
2. Unicode/Emoji Restriction
CRITICAL: No Unicode in Scripts
| Purpose | ❌ Don't Use | ✅ Use |
|---|---|---|
| Success | ✅ ✓ | [OK] [+] |
| Error | ❌ ✗ 🔴 | [!] [X] |
| Warning | ⚠️ 🟡 | [*] [WARN] |
| Info | ℹ️ 🔵 | [i] [INFO] |
| Progress | ⏳ | [...] |
Rule: Use ASCII characters only in PowerShell scripts.
3. Null Check Patterns
Always Check Before Access
| ❌ Wrong | ✅ Correct |
|---|---|
$array.Count -gt 0 | $array -and $array.Count -gt 0 |
$text.Length | if ($text) { $text.Length } |
4. String Interpolation
Complex Expressions
| ❌ Wrong | ✅ Correct |
|---|---|
"Value: $($obj.prop.sub)" | Store in variable first |
Pattern:
$value = $obj.prop.sub
Write-Output "Value: $value"5. Error Handling
ErrorActionPreference
| Value | Use |
|---|---|
| Stop | Development (fail fast) |
| Continue | Production scripts |
| SilentlyContinue | When errors expected |
Try/Catch Pattern
- Don't return inside try block
- Use finally for cleanup
- Return after try/catch
6. File Paths
Windows Path Rules
| Pattern | Use |
|---|---|
| Literal path | C:\Users\User\file.txt |
| Variable path | Join-Path $env:USERPROFILE "file.txt" |
| Relative | Join-Path $ScriptDir "data" |
Rule: Use Join-Path for cross-platform safety.
7. Array Operations
Correct Patterns
| Operation | Syntax | |
|---|---|---|
| Empty array | $array = @() | |
| Add item | $array += $item | |
| ArrayList add | `$list.Add($item) | Out-Null` |
8. JSON Operations
CRITICAL: Depth Parameter
| ❌ Wrong | ✅ Correct |
|---|---|
ConvertTo-Json | ConvertTo-Json -Depth 10 |
Rule: Always specify -Depth for nested objects.
File Operations
| Operation | Pattern | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Read | `Get-Content "file.json" -Raw | ConvertFrom-Json` | |
| Write | `$data | ConvertTo-Json -Depth 10 | Out-File "file.json" -Encoding UTF8` |
9. Common Errors
| Error Message | Cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| "parameter 'or'" | Missing parentheses | Wrap cmdlets in () |
| "Unexpected token" | Unicode character | Use ASCII only |
| "Cannot find property" | Null object | Check null first |
| "Cannot convert" | Type mismatch | Use .ToString() |
10. Script Template
# Strict mode
Set-StrictMode -Version Latest
$ErrorActionPreference = "Continue"
# Paths
$ScriptDir = Split-Path -Parent $MyInvocation.MyCommand.Path
# Main
try {
# Logic here
Write-Output "[OK] Done"
exit 0
}
catch {
Write-Warning "Error: $_"
exit 1
}Remember: PowerShell has unique syntax rules. Parentheses, ASCII-only, and null checks are non-negotiable.
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