Reference for x86/x64 assembly development.

Install

mkdir -p .claude/skills/asm-x86 && curl -L -o skill.zip "https://agentskills.codes/api/skills/download/15848" && unzip -o skill.zip -d .claude/skills/asm-x86 && rm skill.zip

Installs to .claude/skills/asm-x86

Activation

This is the description your AI agent reads to decide when to run this skill — the better it matches your request, the more reliably it fires.

x86 Assembly (Intel) — calling conventions, stack frames, registers, and low-level debugging procedure.
103 charsno explicit “when” trigger
Advanced

Key capabilities

  • Read x86 assembly for performance or low-level debugging
  • Understand calling conventions, stack frames, and registers
  • Trace prologue and epilogue for control flow
  • Track values through registers and memory operands
  • Perform safety reviews for alignment and buffer overflows

How it works

This skill provides guidance for reading and debugging x86 assembly by establishing context, tracing control and data flow, and performing safety reviews. It uses standard calling conventions and debugging procedures.

Inputs & outputs

You give it
x86 assembly code or a debugging scenario
You get back
Calling convention and stack frame summary, debugging checklist, and a list of items to inspect

When to use asm-x86

  • Read assembly code
  • Debug assembly stack frame
  • Verify calling convention

About this skill

x86 Assembly (Intel) (Elite)

When to use

  • You need to read/write x86 assembly for performance or low-level debugging.

  • You need to understand calling conventions, stack frames, and registers.

Calling Convention Reference

ConventionPlatformArgsReturnCaller-savedCallee-saved
cdeclx86 Linux/WindowsStack (right-to-left)eaxeax,ecx,edxebx,esi,edi,ebp
System V AMD64x64 Linux/macOSrdi,rsi,rdx,rcx,r8,r9raxr10,r11rbx,r12–r15,rbp
Microsoft x64x64 Windowsrcx,rdx,r8,r9raxrax,rcx,rdx,r8,r9,r10,r11rbx,rdi,rsi,r12–r15,rbp

Workflow

1. Establish context

  • Architecture (x86/x64), OS, calling convention, toolchain.

  • Identify the function boundary (prologue/epilogue).

2. Read control flow

  • Trace prologue (stack frame setup) and epilogue (teardown).

  • Identify register saving/restoring patterns.

3. Trace data flow

  • Track values through registers and memory operands.

  • Note sign/zero extension issues (movzx/movsx).

4. Debug effectively

  • Minimal repro, disassembly (objdump -d, gdb, windbg).

  • Set breakpoints at function entry; inspect registers and stack.

5. Safety review

  • Check alignment (stack 16-byte aligned before call on x64).

  • Look for buffer overflows, off-by-one stack usage.

  • Watch for UB and platform-specific behavior.

Self-check

  • Calling convention identified and respected.

  • Stack frame alignment verified (x64: 16-byte aligned before call).

  • Caller-saved vs callee-saved registers correctly handled.

  • Data flow traced for all inputs/outputs of the function.

  • Debugger used to confirm hypothesis before declaring fix.

Outputs

  • Calling convention and stack frame summary.

  • Debugging checklist (gdb/lldb/windbg commands).

  • "What to inspect" list (registers/stack/memory).

When not to use it

  • The task does not involve x86 assembly
  • The task is purely about high-level language debugging
  • The task is about database schema evolution without API surface impact

Limitations

  • The skill focuses on x86 assembly (Intel)
  • The skill provides reference for specific calling conventions like `cdecl` and `System V AMD64`
  • The skill provides reference for specific calling conventions like `Microsoft x64`

How it compares

This workflow offers a structured methodology for assembly-level analysis and debugging, providing specific steps and checks that go beyond generic debugging techniques for higher-level languages.

Compared to similar skills

asm-x86 side by side with the closest alternatives in the catalog.

SkillInstallsUpdatedSafetyDifficulty
asm-x86 (this skill)02moNo flagsAdvanced
unreal-engine-cpp-pro434moNo flagsAdvanced
llvm-tooling16moReviewAdvanced
static-analysis56moNo flagsAdvanced

Try saying

Example prompts that trigger this skill in your AI assistant.

Search skills

Search the agent skills registry