Claude Skills: instructions Claude loads only when it needs them
A Skill is a folder of instructions, scripts and resources. Claude opens it when the task calls for it, the way you take the right manual out of a drawer.
What a Skill is
Picture an office drawer with one folder per type of job: "renovation quote", "meeting notes", "till reconciliation". You do not read them all every morning; you open the one you need. Skills work the same way: Claude loads each one only when the task needs it. Where the picture stops working: a person keeps the drawer in order, and a badly written Skill makes Claude open the wrong folder or none at all.
Anthropic defines them as folders of instructions, scripts and resources that Claude loads dynamically.
Skills, Projects and connectors
- Projects: workspaces with their own chat history and knowledge base. What you keep there is always loaded. On the free plan you can have up to 5.
- Skills: loaded only when they are relevant.
- Connectors (MCP): let Claude reach your apps and services, read data and act in them with the permissions you hold in that service. MCP is the name of the standard they use.
For a weekly till reconciliation you would use a Skill with the format of your report; for a client's background, a Project; for reading your calendar or your email, a connector.
Sources: what Skills are, Projects and connectors, Anthropic help center, checked on 16 Oct 2026.
Which plans have them
Free, Pro, Max, Team and Enterprise. Code execution has to be turned on to use them. Prices are in Claude pricing.
How to add a Skill of your own
- Prepare the folder with your instructions and any files it needs.
- Compress it into a zip.
- In Claude, go to Customize, Skills, press "+", choose "Create skill" and then "Upload a skill".
- Switch it on or off with the toggle.
Your Skills are private by default. Source: Use Skills in Claude, checked on 16 Oct 2026. Menu names can change; if you cannot find them, search for "Skills" in Anthropic's help center.
What to save as a Skill in an office
Whatever you repeat in the same format every week. These are ideas, not client cases.
- Café: the weekly order summary for your suppliers.
- Gym: the welcome email to new members, in your tone.
- Architecture studio: the structure of your project reports.
- Accountancy: the outline of the letter that goes with each tax return.
There are more in office tasks with Claude.
Frequently asked questions about Claude Skills
What are Claude Skills?
Folders of instructions, scripts and resources that Claude loads when a task needs them.
Which plans have Skills?
Free, Pro, Max, Team and Enterprise. Code execution has to be turned on.
How is a Skill different from a Project?
A Project gives Claude background knowledge that is always loaded. A Skill is loaded only when it is relevant to the task.
How do I add a Skill of my own?
Prepare the Skill folder, compress it into a zip and upload it from Customize, Skills, the "+" button, Create skill and Upload a skill. Then switch it on or off with a toggle. Your own Skills are private by default.
Have your Skills working from day one
In the course we write the first Skills for your office with you. Dates to be confirmed.