$ man help
Frequently asked questions
Quick answers to the questions we hear most often. Still stuck? Drop us a line — humans reply within a working day.
// Basics
$What is a Claude skill?
A skill is a folder with a SKILL.md file: a short YAML header with a name and a description of when to use it, followed by Markdown instructions. Claude reads the name and description up front and loads the full instructions when a request matches, so a skill turns a general-purpose assistant into one that follows your process for a specific job.
$Is ClaudeSkill affiliated with Anthropic?
No. ClaudeSkill is an independent site run by CB Patel. Claude and Anthropic are trademarks of Anthropic, PBC, used here only to describe compatibility. The full notice is on the /disclaimer page.
$Does ClaudeSkill cost anything?
Browsing, installing and submitting skills is free, and you don't need an account to browse or install. The only paid service on the site is optional 1-on-1 coaching.
// Installing
$How do I install a skill?
Open the skill's page and copy the install line. It downloads that skill's SKILL.md into ~/.claude/skills/<skill-name>/, which is where Claude Code looks for personal skills. You can also press Download SKILL.md and save the file there yourself. Then start Claude Code: it uses the skill when a request matches its description, or you can run it by typing /<skill-name>.
$Can I install a skill in one project only?
Yes. Save the file under .claude/skills/<skill-name>/SKILL.md inside the project instead (the install panel has a project tab with that command). Commit the folder and everyone who works on the repository gets the skill too.
$Do I need Claude Code to use a skill?
Claude Code loads skills natively, and the Claude apps and the Claude API support the same SKILL.md format. In other tools you can paste a skill's instructions into the conversation, but they will not load it automatically.
$What runs on my machine when I install a skill?
Nothing is executed. The install line is a single curl download that writes one Markdown file. Claude reads it when a skill is relevant; read the full text on the skill's page first if you want to check exactly what it tells Claude to do.
$How do I update or remove a skill?
To update, run the install line again — it overwrites the file with the current version. To remove, delete the folder: rm -r ~/.claude/skills/<skill-name>.
// Publishing
$How do I publish my own skill?
Write a SKILL.md with a clear name, a description that says when to use it, and the instructions. Put it in a public GitHub repository, then use 'Submit a skill' and paste the repository URL. Submissions are reviewed before they are published; the guide at /docs/create covers each part of the file.
$What does the review check for?
That the skill (a) does what its description says, (b) does not instruct Claude to expose data or run destructive commands without asking, (c) declares a license, and (d) does not impersonate another creator. Spam and skills that only point to a paid service are rejected. The editorial policy has the full process.
$What license should I use?
MIT or Apache-2.0 suit most skills. If your skill bundles original writing, images or data, CC-BY-4.0 may fit better. Declare the license in the SKILL.md frontmatter.
// Trust & safety
$How do I report a broken or harmful skill?
Use the contact page and include the skill's URL. Reports of harmful skills (for example, instructions to send out credentials or delete files) are acted on first, and the skill is taken down while it is checked.
$Do you share my data?
We do not sell your personal data. The site shows ads served by Google, which may use cookies to show ads based on your visits to this and other websites; you can turn personalised ads off in Google's Ad Settings. The privacy policy explains what is collected and your choices.
Still have questions?
We're a small team, and we read every message. The fastest way to get help is /contact.