# Agent Skills **Purpose**: Markdown files that teach Claude how to do specific tasks --- ## Core Concept A Skill is a `SKILL.md` file that teaches Claude specialized knowledge. Skills are **model-invoked**: Claude automatically applies them based on task context matching the description field. --- ## Key Points - Skills live in `~/.claude/skills/` (personal) or `.claude/skills/` (project) - Each skill needs a directory with `SKILL.md` inside - Name and description in YAML frontmatter are required - Claude loads only name/description at startup (lazy loading) - Full content loaded when skill is activated --- ## Skill File Format ```yaml --- name: explaining-code description: Explains code with diagrams and analogies. Use when explaining how code works. --- When explaining code, always include: 1. **Start with an analogy**: Compare to everyday life 2. **Draw a diagram**: ASCII art for flow/structure 3. **Walk through the code**: Step-by-step 4. **Highlight a gotcha**: Common mistakes ``` --- ## Where Skills Live | Location | Path | Scope | |----------|------|-------| | Enterprise | Managed settings | All org users | | Personal | `~/.claude/skills/` | You, all projects | | Project | `.claude/skills/` | Anyone in repo | | Plugin | Plugin's `skills/` | Plugin users | Priority: Enterprise > Personal > Project > Plugin --- ## Related - `../guides/creating-skills.md` - How to create skills - `../lookup/skill-metadata.md` - Metadata fields - `../lookup/skills-comparison.md` - Skills vs other options **Reference**: https://docs.anthropic.com/en/docs/claude-code/skills