---

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 author: Joseph OBrien status: unpublished updated: '2025-12-23' version: 1.0.1 tag: skill type: skill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.

  Copy# 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

CopyValidate all URLs in this document

CopyCheck if these links are appropriate for their context

Specific Analysis

CopyExtract and analyze all links in this content

Analysis Process

Technical Validation

Using Helper Script:

The skill includes a Python helper script for URL validation:

Copy# 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:

Copy## 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