# definition
What Are Claude Code Skills?
A complete reference for agent developers, AI builders, and anyone working with Claude Code.
Claude Code skills are reusable behavior packages that AI agents invoke at runtime to extend their capabilities. A skill is a SKILL.md file — structured markdown containing instructions, workflows, and domain expertise that guide how an agent approaches a specific task. Unlike static prompts, skills are discoverable, versioned, and composable.
How Skills Work
- 1
Agent encounters a task — e.g. "write a commit message" or "review this PR for security issues"
- 2
Agent queries the registry — sends task context to Invoked via MCP, receives matching skills ranked by relevance
- 3
Skill is applied — agent reads the SKILL.md content and follows its instructions for that specific task
Skills vs Agents — Key Differences
| Agent | Skill | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Autonomous executor | Knowledge package |
| Format | Code / model | SKILL.md (markdown) |
| Discovery | Configured upfront | Runtime query |
| Created by | Developer | Anyone |
| Example | Claude Code | commit-commands:commit |
11,000+ skills in the Invoked registry. Agents discover them at runtime — no installation required.
Browse Skills →Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I find Claude Code skills?
The Invoked registry at invoked.sh indexes 11,000+ community skills. Connect your agent once via MCP — it queries the registry at runtime automatically.
How do I add a skill to Claude Code?
Add Invoked as an MCP server in your ~/.claude/settings.json. Your agent discovers skills automatically from that point on — no per-skill installation needed.
What's the difference between a Claude Code skill and a slash command?
A slash command is a saved prompt stored locally. A skill is a versioned, discoverable behavior package from a shared registry — accessible to any agent, contributed by anyone.
Can I publish my own Claude Code skills?
Yes. Add a SKILL.md file to any public GitHub repo and claim it on Invoked. Your skill becomes immediately discoverable by agents querying the registry.
Are Claude Code skills the same as MCP tools?
No. MCP tools give agents new capabilities — functions they can call. Skills give agents new knowledge — instructions and workflows. Both extend what an agent can do, but in different ways.