What Is SKILL.md?
SKILL.md is the lightweight instruction file that explains when and how an AI agent should use a reusable skill.
What goes into a skill
A practical agent skill usually combines a short description, trigger guidance, operating instructions, optional scripts, and references. The goal is to give an agent enough context to perform a repeatable workflow without loading unrelated material.
- A clear name and one-sentence description
- Instructions for when the skill should be used
- Scripts or assets referenced by the instructions
- Safety notes, prerequisites, and expected outputs
Why it matters for AI agents
Skills make agent behavior more reusable than one-off prompts. They are especially useful for coding workflows, document operations, spreadsheet processing, browser automation, and other tasks where the same process should be followed repeatedly.
How to evaluate examples
Good SKILL.md examples are narrow, testable, and operational. Avoid skills that contain vague advice, hidden external dependencies, or large copied documentation without clear routing instructions.