What are agent skills?
A skill teaches an AI agent how to do one kind of job well — review code, fill in a PDF, write in your brand’s voice. You install it once, and the agent reaches for it on its own whenever your request matches.
The short version
A prompt you paste. A skill you install.
Both give an agent instructions. The difference is who remembers them — and what else comes along.
A prompt
- You paste it in every time you need it
- Text only — no files or scripts
- Lives in your notes, not in the agent
- Great for one-off requests
A skill
- Installed once; the agent loads it when relevant
- Can bundle scripts, templates and reference docs
- Only its short description is read until it’s needed
- Great for work you repeat
Anatomy
What’s inside a skill
A skill is just a folder. The only required file is SKILL.md; everything else is optional and only used when the instructions point to it.
pdf-report/
- SKILL.mdrequiredName, description and instructions
- scripts/fill_form.pyCode the agent can run
- reference/forms.mdExtra detail, read only if needed
- templates/report.docxFiles to copy or fill in
SKILL.md
The top block (frontmatter) is what the agent always sees. The body is read only once the skill is in use.
--- name: pdf-report description: Fill in PDF forms and build reports from templates. Use when the user asks to create, fill or merge PDF documents. --- # PDF reports 1. Read the form fields with scripts/fill_form.py 2. Match each field to the user’s data 3. For tricky forms, see reference/forms.md
How it works
The agent only reads what it needs
You can install dozens of skills without slowing your agent down, because each one is loaded in layers.
- 01
It sees the description
At the start, the agent knows only each skill’s name and one-line description — a few words per skill.
- 02
It opens the right skill
When your request matches a description, the agent reads that skill’s full SKILL.md instructions.
- 03
It uses the extras
If the instructions call for it, the agent opens a reference file or runs a bundled script — and nothing more.
Get started
Install a skill in three steps
- 1
Pick a skill and get it
Find one on PromptsEdge Skills and press Get this skill. Sign in, and free skills are yours right away; premium ones unlock once with credits.
- 2
Put the folder where your agent looks
For Claude Code, unzip it into your personal skills folder to use it everywhere, or into a project to share it with your team.
# every project ~/.claude/skills/pdf-report/SKILL.md # just this project (commit it to share) .claude/skills/pdf-report/SKILL.md
Using the Claude apps instead? Upload the skill’s zip in Claude’s settings. Other tools that support SKILL.md have their own skills folder — check their docs.
- 3
Just ask
There’s no command to run. Describe what you want and the agent loads the skill when it fits.
“Fill in this expense form with last month’s receipts.”
Compatibility
Where skills work
Skills were introduced for Claude, and the SKILL.md format is simple enough that other agents can read it too.
Claude Code
Drop the folder in ~/.claude/skills or your project’s .claude/skills.
Claude apps
Upload a skill’s zip from settings to use it in your chats.
Claude API
Attach skills to agents you build with the API and Agent SDK.
Other agents
Tools that support the SKILL.md format can load these skills too.
On PromptsEdge
Reading a skill listing
Every skill card carries a few labels. Here’s what they mean.
Costs nothing. Sign in, press Get this skill and download it.
A premium skill. Unlock it once with credits; it stays in My skills, including future updates.
Imported from a public GitHub repo, credited to its original author and listed under its open-source license.
Ships code your agent can run on your machine. Read the scripts before installing.
You already have this skill — it’s ready to download again any time.
Install skills like you’d install code
- A skill can include scripts the agent may run, so only install skills from sources you trust.
- Look for the Scripts label and read those files first — every skill’s files are listed on its page.
- Spotted something wrong? Use Request changes or removal on the skill’s page.
Explore
Find a skill for your work
FAQ
Common questions
What is an agent skill?
A skill is a folder with a SKILL.md file inside — a short description of when to use it, followed by instructions — plus any scripts, templates or reference files it needs. An AI agent reads the description and loads the rest only when a task calls for it.
How is a skill different from a prompt?
A prompt is something you paste in every time. A skill is installed once and the agent picks it up on its own whenever your request matches, and it can bring files and scripts along — not just text.
Which agents can use skills?
Skills were introduced for Claude and work in Claude Code, the Claude apps and the Claude API. Other agents and tools that read the SKILL.md format can use them too; check your tool’s documentation.
Do I have to run a command to use a skill?
No. Once the skill is in your skills folder, just ask for what you want. The agent decides from the skill’s description whether it’s relevant and loads it automatically.
Are skills on PromptsEdge free?
Most are. Skills marked Free cost nothing; premium skills are a one-time unlock paid in credits, and stay in My skills afterwards. Skills marked GitHub come from public repos and are credited to their original author.
Are skills safe to install?
A skill can include scripts your agent may run on your machine, so treat it like any code you download. We label skills that ship scripts — read them before installing, and only install skills from sources you trust.
Ready to give your agent a new skill?
Hundreds of free, ready-to-use skills for coding, writing, design, data and more.