Claude Skills are specialized folders containing markdown instructions, scripts, and resources that teach Anthropic's Claude AI (especially in Claude Code) how to handle repetitive coding or workflow tasks efficiently, like generating reports, reviewing PRs, or automating UI designs. Developers praise them for enabling reusable, AI-driven automation without rigid coding, outperforming basic prompts by stacking with tools like subagents and scripts.[1][2][3]
What Are Claude Skills and Why the Buzz?
Claude Skills act like onboarding guides for a new hire, bundling task-specific knowledge into portable packages that Claude loads on-demand.[2][5] Unlike one-off prompts or custom GPTs, Skills use pure LLM reasoning: Claude scans a text list of Skill names and descriptions, matches them to your query via natural language understanding (no regex or classifiers), and activates the relevant one with user confirmation.[1][3]
- Key advantages over system prompts: Skills stay efficient by loading only needed files (e.g., SKILL.md instructions, scripts, or examples), avoiding context overload. They work across Claude's web app, desktop, API, Claude Code CLI, and editors like Cursor.[2][4][5]
- Why devs are obsessed: They enable 10x workflows, like instantly overhauling UIs, integrating Stripe payments, brainstorming domains, or auto-generating code reviews—often via subagents and MCP servers in Claude's virtual environment with Bash, Python, and Node.js.[6][7]
- Fun fact: Skills "stack" for complex tasks (e.g., one for analysis, another for reporting), mimicking a team of specialists without token waste.[2][8]
How Do Claude Skills Work? (Step-by-Step)
Claude Code (Anthropic's dev-focused CLI/agent) powers most hype, running in a sandboxed virtual computer.[3][7][8]
- Discovery: At startup, Claude indexes lightweight Skill metadata (name, description with user-friendly keywords).[1][3]
- Activation: Your prompt matches a description (e.g., "review this PR"), triggering a confirmation before loading full files.[3]
- Execution: Claude follows SKILL.md instructions, runs scripts (Python/Bash in
/scripts/), references data/templates, or spawns subagents.[1][4][6]
| Component | Purpose | Example |
|---|---|---|
| SKILL.md | Core instructions + metadata | "Run scripts/analyzer.py on logs, parse JSON output into a report."[1] |
| CLAUDE.md | Global project rules | "Always use TypeScript strict mode."[3] |
| Scripts/ | Deterministic automation | Python for log analysis or UI generation.[1][6] |
| Subagents/Hooks | Delegation & events | Spawn agent for web search; lint on file save.[3][8] |
How to Create and Use Claude Skills
Start simple in a dedicated folder (e.g., ~/claude-skills). Two popular workflows:[4][5]
- Built-in Creator (Beginner): In Claude Code or web UI, prompt "create a skill for changelog-to-newsletter." Zip and upload.[4][5]
- Power Method (Pro, via Cursor + CLI):
- Open Cursor (AI editor) in skills dir.
- Run
claude codeCLI. - Use a "meta-skill" prompt: "Build a skill for Stripe integration." Test instantly, refine, export.[4][5][6]
Real-world examples:
- Frontend UI Overhaul: Script redesigns components in seconds.[6]
- Payment Integration: Generates Stripe code + tests.[6]
- Code Review Agent: Analyzes PRs per team standards.[3][6]
- Newsletter from Changelog: Parses notes into polished emails.[5]
Upload zips to Claude web/desktop for daily use, or keep in ~/.claude/ for global access.[5][8]
Can GitHub Copilot Use Skills?
No, Copilot cannot use Claude Skills natively. Copilot (Microsoft/OpenAI) relies on its own slash commands, custom instructions, and extensions, without Claude's folder-based, LLM-driven Skill system.[1-8] (No sources mention Copilot integration; Skills are Anthropic/Claude-specific.) You could manually port Skill logic as Copilot prompts, but it lacks auto-discovery, scripts, and subagents.
Skills shine for devs tired of repeating prompts—try building one for your top drudgery task today to see the hype firsthand.[4][5]
Sources
- https://leehanchung.github.io/blogs/2025/10/26/claude-skills-deep-dive/
- https://departmentofproduct.substack.com/p/what-are-claude-skills-and-how-can
- https://code.claude.com/docs/en/skills
- https://www.chatprd.ai/how-i-ai/claude-skills-explained
- https://www.lennysnewsletter.com/p/claude-skills-explained
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bFC1QGEQ2E8
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vEvytl7wrGM
- https://www.producttalk.org/how-to-use-claude-code-features/
