---
name: url-analysis
description: URL validation and contextual analysis specialist. Use when validating
links, analyzing URL context, extracting links from content, or ensuring link appropriateness.
Combines technical validation with content analysis.
author: Joseph OBrien
status: unpublished
updated: '2025-12-23'
version: 1.0.1
tag: skill
type: skill
---
# URL Analysis
This skill validates URLs both technically and contextually, ensuring links are functional and appropriate for their context.
## When to Use This Skill
- When validating URLs in content
- When analyzing link context and appropriateness
- When extracting links from documents
- When checking link functionality
- When ensuring link relevance
- When auditing link quality
## What This Skill Does
1. **Technical Validation**: Checks HTTP status, redirects, SSL
2. **Contextual Analysis**: Evaluates link appropriateness
3. **Link Extraction**: Extracts and categorizes links
4. **Content Relevance**: Checks if linked content matches context
5. **Security Analysis**: Identifies security concerns
6. **Quality Assessment**: Provides link quality scores
## Helper Scripts
This skill includes Python helper scripts in `scripts/`:
- **`validate_urls.py`**: Validates URLs from files or command line. Checks HTTP status codes, redirects, and accessibility. Outputs JSON with validation results.
```bash
# Validate URLs from file
python scripts/validate_urls.py document.md
# Validate single URL
python scripts/validate_urls.py --url https://example.com
```
## How to Use
### Validate URLs
```
Validate all URLs in this document
```
```
Check if these links are appropriate for their context
```
### Specific Analysis
```
Extract and analyze all links in this content
```
## Analysis Process
### Technical Validation
**Using Helper Script:**
The skill includes a Python helper script for URL validation:
```bash
# Validate URLs from a file
python scripts/validate_urls.py document.md
# Validate a single URL
python scripts/validate_urls.py --url https://example.com
```
**Checks:**
- HTTP status codes (200, 301, 404, etc.)
- Redirect chains
- Response times
- SSL certificate validity
- URL syntax validity
### Contextual Analysis
**Evaluates:**
- Link text vs. destination content
- Semantic alignment
- Publication date relevance
- Authority of source
- Value to reader
### Link Extraction
**Categorizes:**
- Internal vs. external links
- Anchor links
- File downloads
- API endpoints
## Examples
### Example 1: URL Validation
**Input**: Validate URLs in blog post
**Output**:
```markdown
## URL Analysis: Blog Post
### Technical Validation
**1. https://example.com/article**
- **Status**: 200 OK
- **Response Time**: 320ms
- **SSL**: Valid
- **Redirects**: None
**2. https://old-site.com/page**
- **Status**: 301 → https://new-site.com/page
- **Issue**: Redirect chain (should update link)
- **Fix**: Update to final destination
**3. https://broken-link.com**
- **Status**: 404 Not Found
- **Issue**: Broken link
- **Fix**: Remove or find alternative
### Contextual Analysis
**4. https://example.com/article**
- **Link Text**: "Learn more about React"
- **Destination**: React documentation
- **Relevance**: High ✓
- **Status**: Appropriate
**5. https://example.com/homepage**
- **Link Text**: "Advanced React patterns"
- **Destination**: Homepage (not specific article)
- **Relevance**: Low ✗
- **Issue**: Link text doesn't match destination
- **Fix**: Link to specific article or update link text
```
## Best Practices
### URL Validation
1. **Check Status**: Verify all links return 200 or appropriate redirect
2. **Update Redirects**: Use final destination, not redirect chains
3. **Context Matters**: Ensure links match their context
4. **Security**: Prefer HTTPS, check SSL validity
5. **Relevance**: Verify linked content matches expectations
## Related Use Cases
- Link validation
- Content quality assurance
- SEO link auditing
- Documentation review
- Link extraction and analysis