How to Install Claude Code Skills
Published · Updated
By The AI Loadout editors · How we pick · Nichelogix, LLC
A Claude Code skill is a folder with a SKILL.md file (YAML frontmatter plus markdown instructions). Install one by placing it in ~/.claude/skills/ for personal use across projects, in .claude/skills/ to share with your team, or by installing a plugin that ships skills from a marketplace.
What a Claude Code skill is
Skills teach Claude Code how to do a repeatable job your way. Each skill lives in its own directory and centers on a SKILL.md file: YAML frontmatter (at least a description) and markdown instructions Claude follows when the skill is relevant.
You can invoke a skill with /skill-name in a session, or let Claude load it when the task matches the description. Skills are the preferred way to package new workflows. Custom commands in .claude/commands/ still work if you already use them.
Install a personal skill
Personal skills apply to every project on that machine. Create a directory under ~/.claude/skills/, then add SKILL.md with a description and clear instructions.
- Path: ~/.claude/skills/<name>/SKILL.md
- Use for workflows you want on every repo on this computer.
- These personal skills do not sync into Claude.ai Cowork or cloud environments. For cloud, enable skills on claude.ai or commit project skills instead.
mkdir -p ~/.claude/skills/summarize-changesShare a project skill
Project skills live in the repo so teammates get the same behavior when they pull. Commit .claude/skills/<name>/SKILL.md with the rest of the project.
Path: .claude/skills/<name>/SKILL.md. Prefer project skills when the workflow is specific to that codebase, and when you need Claude Code in cloud or shared environments to see the same skill.
Install skills via plugins and the marketplace
Plugins can bundle skills, agents, hooks, and MCP servers. In an interactive session, run /plugin install name@marketplace to open details and choose a scope. From the shell you can install with claude plugin install name@marketplace.
The official Anthropic marketplace is added automatically on your first interactive Claude Code session. Community or third-party marketplaces need an extra step first: /plugin marketplace add owner/repo.
Install scopes are user, project, or local. After some installs you may need /reload-plugins before the new skills show up.
claude plugin install commit-commands@claude-plugins-officialInvoke and manage skills
Type / followed by the skill name to run it on demand, or describe the task and let Claude decide when a matching skill applies. Keep descriptions specific so Claude knows when to load each skill.
If a newly installed plugin skill is missing, try /reload-plugins. For Claude.ai synced skills, use the Claude.ai settings path; the personal ~/.claude/skills/ folder on your machine does not load in Cowork or cloud sessions.
Want a ready pack of founder and coding skills instead of writing every SKILL.md by hand? The AI Loadout sells skill packs you install with one terminal command after purchase.
Ready skill packs
The AI Loadout sells ready skill packs you can install with one terminal command after purchase. No refunds (all sales final) because packs are downloadable. If install fails, support@theailoadout.com will help fix it.
FAQ
Where should I put a Claude Code skill?
Use ~/.claude/skills/<name>/SKILL.md for personal skills on this machine, or .claude/skills/<name>/SKILL.md in a repo to share with your team and cloud sessions that clone the project.
How do I install a skill from a plugin marketplace?
In a session, run /plugin install name@marketplace and pick a scope, or from the shell run claude plugin install name@marketplace. Add community marketplaces with /plugin marketplace add owner/repo first. The official marketplace is already available after your first interactive session.
Do custom slash commands still work?
Yes. Files in .claude/commands/ still work. Skills are preferred for new work because they combine frontmatter, richer instructions, and automatic loading when relevant.
Why does my personal skill not show up in Claude.ai or Cowork?
Personal skills under ~/.claude/skills/ stay on that machine. For Claude.ai or cloud, enable synced skills on claude.ai or commit project skills under .claude/skills/ so the environment can load them.
What is in a SKILL.md file?
YAML frontmatter (including a description Claude uses to decide when the skill applies) plus markdown instructions. Invoke with /skill-name or let Claude load it when the task matches.
Sources
Disclosure: product links on this page go to The AI Loadout packs we sell. Affiliate and sponsored links elsewhere on the site are always labeled and do not change our picks. Read our methodology.