SKILL.md files command artificial intelligence to follow specific instructions for completing defined tasks. However, the method of using these files varies across tools; some platforms support seamless installation of Skills, while others can only process the file's content as raw text instructions. This article explores how to utilize these files across different platforms.
1. Claude.ai
Claude users can access this feature by navigating to Settings and the Capabilities tab, then enabling "Code execution and file creation". From the Customize menu under the Skills section, users can select "Create skill" and upload a ZIP file containing the Skill folder and the SKILL.md file. This capability is available for Free, Pro, Max, Team, and Enterprise accounts, though organization administrators may restrict access.
2. ChatGPT
If a user's account supports this feature, they can navigate to the Plugins section from the sidebar and use the Skills tab to upload files directly from their computer. Alternatively, users can ask ChatGPT to generate a Skill using the "Create with chat" option. Currently, this feature in the web environment is primarily offered to eligible Edu, Business, Enterprise, and Healthcare accounts; holding a Plus or Pro subscription does not necessarily guarantee access to this section.
3. Claude Code
To use Skills in the Claude Code environment, the SKILL.md file must be placed in a dedicated directory. To restrict it to a specific project, the path .claude/skills/my-skill/SKILL.md is used, whereas for global use across all projects, the path is ~/.claude/skills/my-skill/SKILL.md. Claude Code can automatically utilize the skill based on its description, or the user can invoke it directly with the /my-skill command. A ZIP upload is not required for local implementations.
4. Codex
Codex also supports Skill files, though the directory paths differ slightly. The file path for a specific project is .agents/skills/my-skill/SKILL.md, and for global usage, it is ~/.agents/skills/my-skill/SKILL.md. Users can leverage the skill by executing the skills command or typing the ? symbol and selecting the desired skill (e.g., $my-skill).
5. DeepSeek and Tools Without Direct Support
For tools that lack native Skill installation capabilities, users can still benefit from these instructions. This is done by attaching the SKILL.md file to the conversation or directly copying its text into the chat, instructing the AI to read the content and follow its guidelines. While this does not constitute a true installation and instructions may need to be repeated in new conversations, it serves as an effective workaround.
Sample Prompt for Creating an English Tutor Skill
Users can instruct AI to generate a professional SKILL.md file by providing a comprehensive prompt. For instance, to create an "English Vocabulary Tutor," the prompt should outline specific steps: providing the exact meaning and pronunciation, estimating the CEFR proficiency level (A1 to C2), generating practical sentences at various levels with translations, introducing common collocations, and explaining frequent mistakes made by Persian speakers. Following the instructional phase, the skill should transition into an interactive practice mode, asking the user to form sentences with the new vocabulary and correcting errors as needed. The prompt must emphasize relying on credible sources, avoiding false certainty, and suggesting accurate equivalents when appropriate.
Source: Zoomia
