Most people think building software for AI means coding.
It doesn't. A skill is a folder with a text file inside. That's it.
What is a skill?
A skill gives an AI agent a new ability. You write the instructions in plain language, and the agent follows them.
The framework was originally built by Anthropic and is open source.
What's inside a skill folder
skill.md – the only file you need. It has the name, the description and the instructions. Optional folders – scripts (code), docs, templates and other assets.
Why skills don't slow your AI down
This is called progressive disclosure:
Step 1: The agent only loads the name and description of each skill. Step 2: It loads the full instructions and files only when your task matches the skill.
So you can install lots of skills without filling up the context.
Quick rule: the description decides when your skill gets used, so write it clearly.
How to build one the right way
The fastest way is Anthropic's skill-creator. You describe what you want and the AI builds the folder and the instructions for you.
But here's the truth: run the workflow from start to finish first. Turn it into a skill only after that.
Why this matters: I built a GetResponse skill to send an autoresponder email. The API call worked and the email went out. Later I found I couldn't edit the email in GetResponse, because the generated HTML used things GetResponse doesn't support.
You only find problems like that when you run the real workflow.
Prompt to use once your workflow ran successfully:
"We just finished this workflow successfully. Turn everything we did into a skill, including the fixes and what didn't work. Use the skill-creator."
Important: skills don't work everywhere anymore. A skill that works in Claude may need changes before it works in another tool.
Same pattern everywhere
→ Claude Code plugins (for developers) → Cowork plugins (for knowledge workers) → Codex plugins (OpenAI's coding agent)
They all work the same way: a folder, a manifest file and instructions in markdown.
That means if you can write clear instructions, you can build software for AI.
Action Step (do this now)
Pick one task you repeat every week Run it once with Claude, start to finish Fix whatever breaks Then say: "Turn this into a skill" Test the skill on the same task again
Questions? Drop them below.
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