Why build a custom skill?
A custom skill gives Claude a repeatable way to handle a defined job. It can enforce brand rules, apply a writing style, run a workflow or generate a precise output format without you restating every instruction.
Open Claude Cowork → Customization
Use the left sidebar to open Customization.
Open the Skills tab
Skills hold persistent instructions for a specific type of work.
Choose Create new skill
Start a new skill, then choose “Create skill with Claude” if you want to describe it in plain language.
Describe the job clearly
Tell Claude what the skill does, when it should trigger, the inputs it needs and the output it must produce.
Review the generated SKILL.md
Check the trigger description, workflow, constraints, examples and file references before saving.
Test and refine
Run the skill on a realistic request. Add any missing edge cases or quality checks to the instructions.
Example: a brand-guidelines skill
I want a skill that applies my company's brand styling to every document or PDF Claude creates.
Company: [name]
Primary colour: [hex]
Secondary colour: [hex]
Typeface: [font]
Logo position: top-left
Footer: company name + website + page number
Trigger this skill whenever I ask for a document, report, proposal or PDF. Check the finished output against these rules before delivery.What to customise
- Replace every placeholder with your real company name and domain.
- Use exact colour values rather than approximate colour names.
- Specify the font and a safe fallback.
- Reference the correct logo asset and its intended placement.
- Describe what a successful finished output looks like.
A good skill is a small operating system for one repeatable job—not a long collection of vague preferences.