--- title: Creating Skills | 0ct description: Build reusable instructions that make your AI tasks consistent and effective --- Skills are saved instructions that you can reuse across multiple tasks. Instead of repeating the same directions every time, create a skill once and attach it wherever needed. ## What Are Skills? Think of skills as teaching your AI assistant how to work the way you want. A skill might define: - **How to write**: Tone, style, formatting preferences - **What to include**: Standard sections, required information - **What to avoid**: Things you don’t want in outputs - **Domain knowledge**: Industry terms, company context ## Why Use Skills? ### Consistency Every task with the same skill produces similar-quality output. ### Efficiency Write instructions once, use them everywhere. ### Quality Refined skills lead to better results over time. ### Team Alignment Share skills so everyone’s tasks follow the same standards. ## Creating Your First Skill ### Step by Step 1. Click **Skills** in the sidebar 2. Click **+ New Skill** 3. Choose how to create it: - **Manual**: Write the skill yourself - **Chat Builder**: Let AI help you create it 4. Give it a name and write the instructions 5. Click **Save** ### Manual Creation Best when you know exactly what you want: ``` # Professional Writing Style ## Tone - Be professional but approachable - Use "we" and "you" language - Avoid jargon unless necessary ## Format - Start with a brief summary - Use bullet points for lists - Keep paragraphs short (2-3 sentences) ## Requirements - Always include next steps at the end - Proofread for grammar and clarity ``` ### Chat Builder Not sure what to write? The Chat Builder helps: 1. Select **Chat Builder** when creating 2. Describe what you want in plain language 3. AI suggests skill content 4. Refine through conversation 5. Save when satisfied Example conversation: > **You**: I want reports that sound professional but not stuffy. They should be easy to skim. > > **AI**: I’ll create a skill for clear, professional reports. Here’s a draft… ## Skill Examples ### Executive Summary Style ``` # Executive Summary Format Always structure outputs as executive summaries: 1. **Bottom Line Up Front**: Start with the key takeaway 2. **Supporting Points**: 3-5 bullet points with evidence 3. **Implications**: What this means for the business 4. **Recommendations**: Suggested next actions Keep total length under 300 words. Use simple language that non-experts can understand. ``` ### Technical Documentation ``` # Technical Writing Standards When writing technical content: ## Structure - Begin with a one-sentence overview - Use headers to organize sections - Include code examples where relevant - End with a "Next Steps" section ## Style - Use present tense - Write in second person ("you") - Define acronyms on first use - Prefer active voice ## Formatting - Use backticks for code references - Bold key terms on first mention - Number sequential steps ``` ### Customer Communication ``` # Customer Response Guidelines When writing to customers: ## Tone - Warm and helpful - Apologetic when appropriate, but not excessive - Solution-focused ## Structure 1. Acknowledge their concern 2. Explain the situation clearly 3. Provide the solution or next steps 4. Offer additional help ## Language - Avoid technical jargon - Use contractions (we're, you'll) - Keep sentences short - End with an invitation to follow up ``` ### Weekly Report Template ``` # Weekly Report Format Generate reports with these sections: ## 📊 Key Metrics - 3-5 most important numbers - Compare to last week (% change) ## ✅ Accomplishments - Bullet list of completed items - Brief context on why each matters ## 🚧 In Progress - Active work and expected completion - Any blockers or risks ## 📋 Next Week - Planned priorities - Any dependencies on others Use emojis as section markers for easy scanning. ``` ## Attaching Skills to Tasks ### Adding a Skill 1. Open or create a task 2. Scroll to the **Skills** section 3. Click **Add Skill** 4. Select one or more skills 5. Save the task ### Skill Order Matters When you attach multiple skills, they’re applied in order. Put foundational skills first: 1. **Brand Voice** (general tone) 2. **Report Format** (structure) 3. **Industry Terms** (domain knowledge) The task’s own prompt comes last, building on the skill context. ### Example: Combining Skills Task with two skills attached: **Skill 1 - Brand Voice:** > Write in a confident, friendly tone… **Skill 2 - Report Format:** > Structure outputs with summary, details, and next steps… **Task Prompt:** > Analyze this week’s sales data and identify trends. The AI receives all three, producing a sales analysis in your brand voice using your report format. ## Managing Skills ### Editing a Skill 1. Click **Skills** in the sidebar 2. Click on the skill to edit 3. Make changes 4. Click **Save** Changes apply to all future task runs using this skill. ### Organizing with Categories Use categories to keep skills organized: - **Writing** - Tone and style - **Analysis** - How to analyze data - **Domain** - Industry-specific knowledge - **Templates** - Output formats ### Deleting a Skill 1. Open the skill 2. Click **Delete** 3. Confirm deletion Tasks that used this skill will still run, just without that skill’s instructions. ## Tips for Effective Skills ### Be Specific but Not Restrictive **Good:** > “Use bullet points for lists of 3+ items” **Too vague:** > “Format nicely” **Too restrictive:** > “Every output must have exactly 5 bullet points” ### Include Examples Skills work better with examples: ``` ## Good Example "We're excited to share that the new feature is live! Here's what you need to know..." ## Avoid This "Dear Valued Customer, It has come to our attention that a new feature has been deployed..." ``` ### Test and Refine 1. Create a skill 2. Attach it to a test task 3. Run the task 4. Review the output 5. Adjust the skill based on results 6. Repeat until satisfied ### Keep Skills Focused One skill, one purpose: - ✅ “Email Writing Style” - ❌ “Email Writing, Report Formatting, and Data Analysis” Focused skills are easier to maintain and combine. ## Advanced: Skill Libraries As you build more skills, organize them into a library: ### Personal Skills Instructions tailored to your preferences. ### Team Skills Shared standards for consistent team output. ### Project Skills Context for specific initiatives or clients. ### Template Skills Reusable formats for common deliverables. ## Next Steps - [Create Tasks](/user-guides/tasks/index.md) that use your skills - [Connect Sources](/user-guides/sources/index.md) to add real data - [Set Up Delivery](/user-guides/delivery/index.md) to receive results