SKILL.md Format Guide

SKILL.md is the core file format behind most Agent Skills. Users searching for “skills md” or “skill md” are usually asking about the file standard, not a product brand. This page explains the format directly and then points you back to the most useful browse paths.

What belongs in SKILL.md

A strong SKILL.md usually answers four questions clearly:

• what the skill does
• when it should be used
• what inputs or context it expects
• what outputs or operating rules the agent should follow

Some repositories also include scripts, examples, or runtime-specific notes, but the core purpose of SKILL.md is still workflow definition.

Why format matters for compatibility

The file format is where portability begins. If a skill uses clear instructions and avoids unnecessary platform lock-in, it has a better chance of appearing on multiple relevant pages such as Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, or Gemini CLI.

Recommended next steps

• Agent Skills
• Skills hub
• Install Claude Code skills
• Install OpenClaw skills