An AI skill is a saved set of written instructions that your AI follows for one kind of job, so you do not have to explain the method every time. In Claude, a skill is a folder with a plain text file called SKILL.md inside it. You install it once, and Claude uses it when your request fits, or when you ask for it by name. You do not need skills to start. They help once you are building things and notice you keep explaining the same thing twice.
Facts checked 2026-10-12. Tools and prices change, so we date this.
What a skill is
Think of the way you would brief a new helper on a job you do often: "when you check my work, do these five things, in this order, and tell me what you are unsure about." A skill is that briefing, written down once and kept where your AI can find it.
Without one, you retype the briefing in every chat, or forget half of it. With one, you say "check this" and the AI already knows what checking means to you.
What is actually inside one
Less than the word suggests. A skill is a folder, and the main thing in the folder is a text file named SKILL.md. It has a short description at the top, which tells the AI what the skill is for and when to use it, followed by the instructions in ordinary writing. Some skills also include extra files, such as templates or scripts.
That is why it is a good habit to open the file and read it before you install anything. If a skill only contains writing, you can see everything it will tell your AI to do. If it contains scripts or asks your AI to connect to the internet, that is worth understanding first.
How your AI uses a skill
Two ways. Claude can notice that your request matches a skill’s description and use it on its own. Or you can call it directly by name: in Claude Code, typing a slash and the skill’s name does it, and in the Claude app you can simply say "use the premortem skill".
Skills are available in the Claude apps and in Claude Code. In the Claude apps they need code execution and file creation to be switched on in Claude’s settings, under Capabilities. Plan availability and menu names change, so check Anthropic’s help page on using skills if yours looks different.
What a useful beginner skill looks like
The ones that earn their place are about method, not about technology. We have eight that we reviewed and tested on a fresh install. One interviews you to turn a rough idea into a short project brief. One imagines your plan has already failed and works out why before you start. One checks what your AI just made against what you asked for. One helps you find out whether a claim is true and how sure you can be.
Each has a page showing a real before and after, what it can touch on your computer, and the download. Most of them only work with what you type into the chat.
Installing one, and doing it safely
The general path in the Claude app is to go to Customize, then Skills, add a new skill and upload the zipped folder. In Claude Code you put the folder in a skills folder inside your home folder. The exact steps for each of our skills are on its page.
One warning: a skill is instructions your AI will follow, so install them only from sources you trust, and read the file first. Anthropic says the same in its help pages. That is the reason ours are small, plain, and reviewed for what they can touch.
- Build one small thing with your AI first, so you know what you would want help with.
- Pick one skill that matches a job you keep repeating.
- Open its SKILL.md and read it. Check what it says it can touch.
- Install it, then try it on something low-stakes.
- If it helps, keep it. If you never use it, remove it.
Not the same as the other meaning of skills
"Skills" also means the habits that make your prompts work better, such as giving context and saying what you want at the end. That is a different idea, and the depth articles on this site cover it. This page and our skills library are about the installable files.
Questions people ask
What is a skill in Claude?
A saved set of instructions for one kind of job, kept as a folder with a SKILL.md text file. Claude uses it when your request fits its description, or when you call it by name.
Do I need skills to use AI?
No. Start without them. They help once you are building things and notice you keep explaining the same method over and over.
Are AI skills safe to install?
Only as safe as their source. A skill is instructions your AI will follow, and some include scripts. Install only from sources you trust and read the SKILL.md first. Ours are plain text and each page says what it can touch.
Are skills free?
Ours are free to download. Anthropic lists skills as available on its Free, Pro, Max, Team and Enterprise plans, with code execution turned on, but plan details change, so check its help page.
How is a skill different from a prompt?
A prompt is a message you write each time. A skill is saved once, and your AI can find and use it when the job comes up, so you do not have to paste the same instructions again.
Send this to someone who says “I’m not technical”
Where to go next
- The reviewed skills libraryEight free skills, each with a real before and after and install steps.
- PremortemA good first one: it finds the weak spots in a plan before you start.
- Claude Code for beginnersDo your first build before you reach for skills.
- Prompting Claude wellThe other meaning of skills: how to write prompts that work.
- Is vibe coding safe?The wider question of what is safe to run and install.