diff --git a/AGENTS.md b/AGENTS.md
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+++ b/AGENTS.md
@@ -17,4 +17,8 @@ This document describes how AI agents should work with this repository. The goal
 - **Releases, tags, and `?ref=`** → [docs/agents/releases.md](docs/agents/releases.md)
 - **Branches, PRs, commits, expectations for changes** → [CONTRIBUTING.md](CONTRIBUTING.md)
 
+**Skills (repeatable tasks)**
+
+- **Adding a new controlplane service component** → [docs/skills/add-controlplane-service.md](docs/skills/add-controlplane-service.md)
+
 **Domain context (operators and consumers):** the root [README.md](README.md) documents RHOSO deployment, ArgoCD conventions (e.g. sync-waves, pinned `?ref=`), and how applications are sliced—it does not define repository editing policy. Use the links above for how to change this repository.
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/docs/skills/add-controlplane-service.md b/docs/skills/add-controlplane-service.md
new file mode 100644
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+++ b/docs/skills/add-controlplane-service.md
@@ -0,0 +1,116 @@
+# Add Controlplane Service Component
+
+This skill creates a new service component for the OpenStack controlplane.
+
+## Purpose
+
+Scaffolds the directory structure and boilerplate files needed to add a new OpenStack service to the controlplane components catalog.
+
+## Usage
+
+When an AI agent or contributor needs to add a new service component to `/components/rhoso/controlplane/services/`, use this skill to ensure consistency with the repository's patterns.
+
+## Prerequisites
+
+- Service name (kebab-case, e.g., `barbican`, `designate`, `octavia`)
+- Understanding of the service's configuration requirements
+- Red Hat OpenStack Services on OpenShift documentation link for the service (if available)
+
+## Steps
+
+### 1. Create Service Directory
+
+```bash
+SERVICE_NAME="<service-name>"  # e.g., barbican, designate, octavia
+mkdir -p components/rhoso/controlplane/services/${SERVICE_NAME}
+```
+
+### 2. Create `kustomization.yaml`
+
+Create `components/rhoso/controlplane/services/${SERVICE_NAME}/kustomization.yaml`:
+
+```yaml
+---
+apiVersion: kustomize.config.k8s.io/v1alpha1
+kind: Component
+
+patches:
+  - path: service.yaml
+    target:
+      kind: OpenStackControlPlane
+```
+
+### 3. Create `service.yaml`
+
+Create `components/rhoso/controlplane/services/${SERVICE_NAME}/service.yaml`:
+
+```yaml
+---
+# https://docs.redhat.com/en/documentation/red_hat_openstack_services_on_openshift/18.0/html-single/...
+# TODO: Replace with actual documentation link for this service
+apiVersion: core.openstack.org/v1beta1
+kind: OpenStackControlPlane
+metadata:
+  name: openstack-control-plane
+spec:
+  <service-name>:
+    enabled: true
+    template:
+      # Service-specific configuration goes here
+      # Refer to the OpenStackControlPlane CRD and service operator documentation
+```
+
+**Important:**
+- Replace `<service-name>` with the actual service name in camelCase (e.g., `barbican`, `octavia`, `designate`)
+- Replace the documentation URL with the actual Red Hat documentation link
+- Add service-specific template configuration based on the service operator's CRD
+
+### 4. Validate the Component
+
+Run kustomize build to ensure the component is valid:
+
+```bash
+kustomize build components/rhoso/controlplane/services/${SERVICE_NAME}
+```
+
+### 5. Add to Examples (Optional but Recommended)
+
+Consider adding an example that uses this service component in `/example` to demonstrate usage.
+
+### 6. Run CI Validation
+
+Before committing, run the validation commands from `.github/workflows/` to ensure the component passes CI checks:
+
+```bash
+# Check the .github/workflows/ directory for exact validation commands
+# Typically includes:
+# - YAML linting
+# - Kustomize build tests
+```
+
+## YAML Conventions
+
+Ensure all files follow repository conventions:
+
+- **Document header:** Every YAML file must start with `---` (comments may appear above it)
+- **Documentation links:** Include Red Hat documentation URLs in comments
+- **Indentation:** Use 2 spaces (consistent with existing files)
+- **One object per file:** Unless the pattern clearly uses multi-document files
+
+## Reference Example
+
+See `/components/rhoso/controlplane/services/watcher/` for a complete working example.
+
+## Related Documentation
+
+- [Repository structure](../agents/repository.md)
+- [YAML, Helm, and Kustomize conventions](../agents/yaml-helm-kustomize.md)
+- [CI and validation](../agents/ci-and-validation.md)
+- [OpenStackControlPlane CR reference](https://docs.redhat.com/en/documentation/red_hat_openstack_services_on_openshift/18.0/html/deploying_red_hat_openstack_services_on_openshift/assembly_creating-the-control-plane#ref_example-OpenStackControlPlane-CR_controlplane)
+
+## Notes for AI Agents
+
+- This is a **component catalog**, not a full cluster configuration
+- Prefer conservative, backwards-compatible changes
+- Do not open PRs without explicit human request
+- Follow Conventional Commits with `AI-Tool` / `AI-Model` footers when contributing