Automatic
You do not need to call it: the AI loads it on its own when your request matches its description.
Beginner’s guide · Step 4 of 5
Build skills teach AI your methods
No more pasting long instructions into every conversation. A skill teaches the AI once and for all how you work: your templates, your rules, your tone.
What is a skill?
Think of the procedure sheet you would hand a new colleague: “Here is how we write a quote, here is the template, here are the pitfalls to avoid.” A skill is exactly that, but for the AI.
In practice, it is a folder containing a main file, SKILL.md, with instructions written in plain language, plus optional templates, examples or scripts.
What makes it so handy
Lightweight
Until it is needed, the AI only reads its name and description. So you can have dozens of them.
Reusable
It is an open format: the same skill works in Claude, Gemini, Claude Code, Gemini CLI and other tools.
Skill, Gem, project or instructions: which one?
| Tool | What it is | When to use it |
|---|---|---|
| Custom instructions | General preferences applied to all your conversations | Your job, your tone, “always answer in English” |
| Project | A space with documents and instructions on one topic | A client file, a website, a book in progress |
| Gem (Gemini) | Gemini’s former custom assistant, being replaced by skills | Convert it to a skill: Google removes Gems from late 2026 |
| Skill | A method loaded automatically when the task calls for it | A recurring task with a precise output: quote, minutes, report |
Anatomy of a skill
Let’s take a skill that writes meeting minutes. Here is the folder, then the SKILL.md file.
meeting-minutes/
├── SKILL.md ← required: name, description, instructions
├── template.md ← optional: your minutes template
└── examples/
└── good-example.md ← optional: a well-written set of minutes-
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The header (between the ---)
The name (lowercase and hyphens) and above all the description: that is what the AI reads to decide whether to use the skill. Say what it does and when to use it.
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The body
The instructions, as for a colleague: the steps, the rules, what not to do.
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Supporting files
Templates, examples, guidelines: the AI only opens them when it needs them.
---
name: meeting-minutes
description: Writes meeting minutes from raw notes or a transcript.
Use whenever the user asks for minutes, a meeting summary or a
record of decisions and actions.
---
# Meeting minutes
## Steps
1. Identify the date, attendees and purpose of the meeting.
2. Group the discussion by topic, without quoting word for word.
3. Pull out the decisions made and the actions to take.
4. Format using the template in template.md.
## Rules
- Neutral, factual tone, short sentences.
- Every action has an owner and a due date.
If one is missing, write "TBD" rather than inventing it.
- One page maximum.Build your first skill in Claude
Two methods. The first requires no technical knowledge.
Method 1 · By chatting with Claude
Recommended-
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Describe what you need
In a new conversation: “Help me build a skill to write my meeting minutes.” Attach a template or a good example if you have one.
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Answer its questions
Claude asks about your method. Give enough detail for a beginner to follow.
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Get the skill
Claude writes the SKILL.md, organises your files and offers you the finished skill.
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Turn it on
Save it from the card Claude shows you, or in Settings › Capabilities › Skills.
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Test and refine
Ask for minutes in a new conversation. Not quite right? Tell Claude what to fix in the skill.
Method 2 · By hand
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Create the folder
A folder named after the skill, with a SKILL.md file (a plain text file) based on the example above.
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Add supporting files
Template, examples, brand guidelines… in the same folder.
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Zip it
Make a .zip file of the folder.
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Upload it
In Settings › Capabilities › Skills, upload the .zip and turn the skill on.
Menus may change with updates and depending on your plan (checked: October 2026).
What about Gemini?
Google is replacing its Gems with skills, in the same SKILL.md format as Claude.
Skills in the Gemini app
New · for everyone
In the “Customize” menu, open “Skills” then “Create”: write the skill directly, or upload a SKILL.md file or a zipped folder (from the website or the Mac app). Gemini loads it when the task calls for it, or you call it by typing “/” followed by its name. A skill written for Claude imports as is.
My instruction templates (Gem Library)Skills in Gemini CLI
For technical users
Gemini CLI, Google’s command-line tool, reads the same SKILL.md format. Put the skill folder in .gemini/skills/ at the root of your project: it is detected at startup. So a skill written for Claude works here too.
End of Gems according to Google’s schedule (checked October 2026): for personal accounts, they become read-only on 17 November 2026 and disappear on 17 December 2026, automatically converted into skills. For Google Workspace: March 2027 for businesses, June 2027 for education. Download your reference files first: audio, video, archives and legacy Office formats are not carried over.
7 rules for a skill that works
Polish the description
It is the trigger. List the words you naturally use: “quote”, “proposal”, “estimate”.
One skill, one job
A “minutes” skill and a “client emails” skill beat a “do everything” skill.
Write numbered steps
The AI follows a clear order far more faithfully than a long paragraph.
Show a good example
One successful result is worth ten lines of explanation.
Say what not to do
“Never invent a price”, “No jargon”: explicit don’ts prevent drift.
Keep it short
SKILL.md sticks to the essentials; details go in supporting files.
Test in real conditions
Try 3 or 4 different cases and fix the skill, not just the answer.
Ideas to get started
Client replies
Your tone, your phrasing, your terms and conditions.
Quotes and proposals
Your structure, reference prices, legal mentions.
Meeting minutes
Decisions, actions, owners, deadlines.
LinkedIn posts
Your style, your topics, the ideal length.
Proofreading
Spelling, typography, house vocabulary.
Code review
Your naming conventions and quality rules.
Be careful with downloaded skillsA skill can contain scripts that run on your account. Only install skills from trusted sources, and read their contents before turning them on.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to code to build a skill?
No. A skill is first and foremost a text of instructions in plain language. Claude can even write it for you from a simple conversation. Scripts are optional and reserved for advanced uses.
What is the difference between a skill and a prompt?
A prompt applies to a single request. A skill is saved once and reused automatically, in all your conversations, whenever the task calls for it.
Why does my skill not trigger?
Most often, the description is too vague. Add the exact words you use and say when to use it. Also check it is turned on in settings.
Does a Claude skill work in Gemini?
Yes. The SKILL.md format is an open standard: upload the same skill to the Gemini app (Customize › Skills) or drop it into Gemini CLI.
What happens to my Gems?
Google converts them automatically into skills when they are removed (late 2026 for personal accounts, 2027 for Google Workspace). You can also recreate them yourself now: copy the Gem’s name, description and instructions into a new skill, then add its files.
Can I share a skill with my team?
Yes. Just share the folder (or the .zip). On Claude business plans, an administrator can also roll skills out to the whole organisation.
FF
Développeur freelance spécialisé dans l'optimisation des flux de travail professionnels, le développement d'add-ons sur-mesure (Google Sheets, Docs, Gmail) et l'intégration de modèles IA (Gemini).
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