How to use Claude Skills

Skills are folders of instructions Claude loads when relevant. Here's how to turn them on and make your own.

October 4, 20268 minIntermediate

A skill is a folder with a SKILL.md file (a name, a description and instructions) plus optional scripts and resources. Anthropic publishes examples in anthropics/skills — browse them on our Skills page.

Use built-in skills

  1. In Claude.ai open Settings → Capabilities and enable Skills.
  2. Ask for a task such as “make a PowerPoint about our Q3 results” — Claude loads the matching skill automatically.

Install from the repo (Claude Code)

  1. In Claude Code run /plugin and add the anthropics/skills marketplace.
  2. Install the skill set you want, then just describe your task.

Make your own

  1. Create a folder with SKILL.md.
  2. Add front matter with name and a clear description of when to use it.
  3. Write step-by-step instructions and an example output. Check the official repo’s README for the latest details.
skillsclaudeagents