What are skills?

Skills are markdown files that teach Claude how to perform a task once, and Claude automatically applies this knowledge when relevant. This eliminates the need to repeatedly explain coding standards or feedback structures.

Agent skills are folders containing instructions, scripts, and resources. Claude uses the description within a skill.md file to determine if and when it should apply that skill based on your request.

Skills can be stored in two main places: personal skills in the home directory (.claude/skills) for individual preferences, and project skills in the repository's root directory (.claude/skills) for team standards that are shared automatically with anyone who clones the repository.

Skills are unique because they are automatic and task-specific. Unlike .claude.md files which load into every conversation, skills load on demand when they match a request, saving context window space. They also differ from slash commands, as Claude recognizes situations to apply skills automatically, without explicit user input.

Skills are best suited for specialized knowledge applicable to specific tasks, such as code review standards, preferred commit message formats, or organizational brand guidelines. If a process is being repeatedly explained to Claude, it's an ideal candidate for a skill.