How to Create a Claude Skill (Step by Step)
A Claude skill is a saved recipe: write the steps once and Claude follows them every time. Here is how to create one and use it, with a video walkthrough.
What is a Claude skill?
A Claude skill is a saved set of steps that tells Claude how to do a specific job. Think of it as a recipe: write the steps once, and Claude follows them every time. A project gives Claude background. A skill tells Claude how to do the work. The video above builds one from scratch.
How to create a skill in Claude
- Open Skills. Click Customize, then Skills. Click Add, top right.
- Choose how to make it. You can upload a skill, create one yourself, or have Claude build it with you. In the video we create it ourselves.
- Name it and describe it. Our example is called visit follow up. The description: turns my customer visit notes into a short follow-up email in our voice.
- Write the steps. Keep them numbered and specific. Then click Create.
An example skill: visit follow-up email
These are the steps from the video:
- Read my visit notes.
- Pull account history from the Northeast Sales project.
- Write a follow-up under 120 words that thanks them, recaps next steps, and proposes a call.
- Only use claims from the approved product sheet.
Once saved, the skill is switched on. You can edit it, or test it with Try in chat.
How to use a Claude skill
Start a new chat and type a slash. Pick your skill from the list, paste your visit notes, and ask Claude to draft the follow-up. Claude loads the skill and the email comes back in your format, short and following your steps. Claude can also pick up a skill on its own when your request matches it.
Tip: if a skill pulls from a project, like step two above, start the chat inside that project so Claude has the history to work with.
Learn more about skills
For more on what skills can do for a team, read our guide to Claude skills and Claude projects vs skills.
The Claude Essentials video series
This post is part of a five-video series on getting started with Claude.
- How to Use Claude: A Quick Tour for Beginners
- How to Create a Claude Project (and Stop Re-Pasting Context)
- How to Connect Gmail to Claude (Connectors Explained)
- How to Create a Claude Skill (Step by Step) (you are here)
- How to Schedule a Task in Claude
Frequently asked questions
What is a Claude skill?
A Claude skill is a saved set of steps that tells Claude how to do a specific job, like a recipe. You write the steps once and Claude follows them every time you use it.
How do I create a skill in Claude?
Click Customize, then Skills, then Add. Choose to upload a skill, create one yourself, or have Claude build it with you. Give it a name, a description and numbered steps, then click Create.
How do I use a skill in a Claude chat?
Start a new chat and type a slash, then pick your skill from the list. Claude can also pick up a skill on its own when your request matches it.
What is the difference between a Claude project and a skill?
A project gives Claude background, like files and rules for an account. A skill tells Claude how to do a specific job, step by step. They work well together.
Can I test a Claude skill before using it?
Yes. After you create a skill, you can edit it or test it with Try in chat.
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