Guide
Agent Skills Guide
Agent skills are SKILL.md workflows that teach coding assistants how to complete repeatable tasks. Use this guide to understand how agent skills work, how to install them, and how to pick the right skill for your workflow.
What are agent skills?
Agent skills are structured instructions stored in SKILL.md files. They define the steps, inputs, and outputs needed for a coding assistant to perform a task like generating tests, refactoring a module, or preparing a release checklist.
How agent skills work
- Each skill includes frontmatter metadata such as name, description, and compatibility.
- The SKILL.md body explains the workflow and expected outputs.
- Optional scripts and templates keep execution consistent.
- Install commands make it easy to add skills to your tool.
How to install agent skills
- Open a skill page in the agent skills directory.
- Copy the install command for your tool (e.g. `npx skills add owner/repo`).
- Run the command in your terminal or inside the assistant.
- Start the skill and follow the workflow steps.
How to choose the right agent skills
- Check compatibility with your coding assistant.
- Review stars, forks, and recent updates for quality signals.
- Read the SKILL.md instructions before installing.
- Start with one clear task and expand from there.
Supported tools
Agent skills work with Claude Code, Cursor, Windsurf, Amp Code, GitHub Copilot, and OpenAI Codex CLI. Any tool that follows the SKILL.md standard can support agent skills.
Agent skills FAQ
Do agent skills replace prompts?
Agent skills are reusable workflows that bundle prompts, steps, and resources so you do not need to rewrite instructions every time.
Can I publish my own agent skills?
Yes. Create a SKILL.md file, add any supporting scripts, and publish it in a public GitHub repository.
Are agent skills free to use?
Most agent skills in the directory are open source. Always review the repo license before reuse.
Ready to explore agent skills?
Browse the directory to discover agent skills by category, tool, and workflow type.