> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.opencomputer.dev/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Skills

> Package reusable instructions and supporting resources with an agent

A skill is a reusable instruction bundle that teaches an agent how to perform
a task. A tool executes code; a skill provides a procedure, checklist, or
domain playbook the agent can load when relevant.

## Create a skill

Add a directory containing `SKILL.md` under the agent:

```text theme={null}
opencomputer/agents/campaign-writer/
├── agent.ts
└── skills/
    └── campaign-brief/
        ├── SKILL.md
        └── CHECKLIST.md
```

Write a clear name and routing description in the frontmatter, then put the
full procedure in the body:

```md theme={null}
---
name: campaign-brief
description: Create a sourced campaign brief. Use when planning a new campaign or revising its audience and messaging.
---

# Campaign brief

1. Restate the product, audience, goal, and constraints.
2. Research the audience before proposing messaging.
3. Separate sourced facts from recommendations.
4. Produce a positioning statement, three message pillars, and five concepts.
5. Read `CHECKLIST.md` before returning the final brief.
```

The description should say both what the skill does and when it applies. The
agent uses it to decide whether to load the instructions.

## Use the skill

Skills do not need a hook. OpenComputer packages the entire `skills/` directory
with that agent, which can load a matching skill during the session.

Tell the agent when the skill should guide its work:

```tsx theme={null}
export default function Agent() {
  return [
    "Plan and improve marketing campaigns.",
    "For a new campaign brief, use the campaign-brief skill and follow its checklist.",
  ].join(" ");
}
```

## Add supporting files

Keep the core procedure in `SKILL.md`. Put longer material beside it:

```text theme={null}
campaign-brief/
├── SKILL.md
├── CHECKLIST.md
├── VOICE.md
└── examples/
    └── launch-brief.md
```

Reference those files from `SKILL.md` so the agent knows when to read them.
Supporting files are deployed with the skill and need no imports from
`agent.ts`.

## Scope skills to an agent

Skills live under `opencomputer/agents/<agent-id>/skills/`, so each deployment
receives only its own skill set. To reuse a skill, copy or generate the skill
directory into each agent that needs it.

## Skills versus tools

| Skill                                 | Tool                              |
| ------------------------------------- | --------------------------------- |
| Markdown instructions and resources   | Executable TypeScript             |
| Teaches a repeatable workflow         | Performs a specific operation     |
| Loaded when its description matches   | Called with JSON Schema arguments |
| May tell the agent which tools to use | Produces a JSON-compatible result |

Many useful workflows combine both: a research skill explains the process
while the [GTM engineer example](/agents/examples/gtm-engineer) uses an Exa
search tool to retrieve current sources.