Claude can now use Skills to improve how it performs specific tasks. Skills are folders that include instructions, scripts, and resources that Claude can load when needed.
Claude will only access a skill when it's relevant to the task at hand. When used, skills make Claude better at specialized tasks like working with Excel or following your organization's brand guidelines.
You've already seen Skills at work in Claude apps, where Claude uses them to create files like spreadsheets and presentations. Now, you can build your own skills and use them across Claude apps, Claude Code, and our API.
How Skills work
While working on tasks, Claude scans available skills to find relevant matches. When one matches, it loads only the minimal information and files needed—keeping Claude fast while accessing specialized expertise.
Skills are:
Composable : Skills stack together. Claude automatically identifies which skills are needed and coordinates their use.
: Skills stack together. Claude automatically identifies which skills are needed and coordinates their use. Portable : Skills use the same format everywhere. Build once, use across Claude apps, Claude Code, and API.
: Skills use the same format everywhere. Build once, use across Claude apps, Claude Code, and API. Efficient : Only loads what's needed, when it's needed.
: Only loads what's needed, when it's needed. Powerful: Skills can include executable code for tasks where traditional programming is more reliable than token generation.
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