Jargon:Agent skills
1 min read
Say this at the party
“A folder of instructions an AI loads only when it needs them, so it can learn a new job without you explaining it every time.”
In plain English
A skill is like a recipe card. It's a short file called SKILL.md with a name, a one-line description and step-by-step instructions, sometimes with scripts or templates alongside.
The AI reads only the names and descriptions to start with. When your request matches one, it opens that card and follows it. So you can install dozens without cluttering its memory.
Anyone can write one. Matt Pocock's /teach skill, which turns a coding agent into a tutor, is a good example.
Where it came from
Anthropic launched Agent Skills for Claude in October 2025 and published the format as an open standard that December, so a skill written once can work in other AI tools that support it.
See it in action
You install a "brand voice" skill. Weeks later you ask for a LinkedIn post, and the AI quietly loads your tone rules and banned words before it starts writing.
What people get wrong
- A skill doesn't make the AI smarter. It gives it instructions, and the AI can still miss or misread them.
- Only install skills from people you trust. A skill can include scripts that run on your computer.
Go deeper
- ArticleAnthropic, 2025Introducing Agent SkillsThe launch post, with examples of what skills can do.
- ArticleAnthropic, 2025Equipping agents with Agent SkillsHow the AI reads just enough of each skill, and no more.
- Guideagentskills.ioAgent Skills OverviewThe open standard, if you want to write your own.
Where it comes up
Related jargon
Drafted with AI, checked by the AI Council (Claude, ChatGPT and Gemini) and signed off by Phin.