> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.cherryai.com.cn/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.cherryai.com.cn/docs/en-us/advanced-basic/extensions/skills.md).

# Skills and Capability Library

A skill is a reusable set of work instructions and supporting resources. It does not connect to external systems; instead, it tells the Agent what process, standards, and format to use to complete a task.

{% hint style="success" %}
When you need a work method, first tell the Agent your goal in \[Work] and let it help you find or install the right skill. Only open \[Settings] → \[Skills] when you need to check sources, manage in bulk, or import from local files.
{% endhint %}

<figure><img src="/files/9b00652317bad3dcfaeb99d65a0f86a7f0cab964" alt="根据任务需要选择知识库、技能、内置工具或 MCP 的关系图"><figcaption><p>Reusable methods are suitable for being turned into skills; materials, built-in operations, and external systems should use their respective entry points.</p></figcaption></figure>

## Install a skill

Manual path: \[Settings] → \[Skills].

The page supports three sources:

* Search the online skill registry;
* Install from a local ZIP file;
* Install from a folder containing `SKILL.md` .

{% stepper %}
{% step %}

### 1. First confirm the purpose

Describe in one sentence the problem you want the skill to solve, for example, “Organize meeting notes into decisions, owners, and deadlines.” Similar names do not mean the same workflow; read the description before installing.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### 2. Check the source and contents

Open the skill details and confirm what it will ask the Agent to do, whether it includes scripts, and whether it requires additional tools or external accounts. Do not use skills from unknown sources directly for sensitive directories.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### 3. Bind to the Agent

Open \[Work] → Agent menu → \[Edit] → \[Skills], and enable the skills you need. Skill changes are automatically saved with the Agent configuration and take effect from the next message.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### 4. Verify with a real task

Give the Agent a small sample and check whether the steps, output format, and boundaries match expectations before using it for batch or scheduled tasks.
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}

## How to choose between skills, prompts, and MCP

| Need                                   | Should choose       | Reason                                                   |
| -------------------------------------- | ------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------- |
| A one-time request                     | Current task prompt | No long-term configuration needed                        |
| Reuse the same workflow multiple times | skills              | Can save instructions, templates, and resources together |
| Set the Agent's long-term role         | Agent system prompt | Must be followed for every task                          |
| Access a database or external service  | MCP                 | The skill itself does not provide connection capability  |

## User case: team weekly report skill

The team wrote the weekly report sections, tone, data checks, and prohibited wording into a skill, and bound it to the “Weekly Report Organization” Agent. Each week they only need to provide this week’s materials, and the Agent outputs a fixed structure according to the skill; when the data comes from an external system, they combine it with MCP instead of putting account and API details into the skill body.

{% hint style="danger" %}
Uninstalling a skill removes it from the global capability library and cleans up its associations in the Agent workspace. Before proceeding, confirm that no tasks are currently using the skill; team custom skills should keep a recoverable source file.
{% endhint %}

<details>

<summary>Why didn't the Agent use the skill after installation?</summary>

Installation only adds the skill to the global capability library. You still need to enable it in the Agent editor's \[Skills], or let the Agent help you bind it. Then send a new message to test it.

</details>

<details>

<summary>Can a skill contain programs?</summary>

A skill package can include instructions, resources, and scripts. Whether scripts can be executed also depends on the Agent's tools, working directory, environment dependencies, and permission mode.

</details>


---

# Agent Instructions
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## Querying This Documentation
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