How to use Claude skills

Same SKILL.md, three places to run it. Pick yours.

Claude.ai

Turn on code execution in settings.
Zip the skill folder (the folder holds SKILL.md).
Upload it in the Skills section of settings.
Ask for the task. Claude loads the skill when it matches.

Claude Code

mkdir -p ~/.claude/skills/my-skill
# put SKILL.md in that folder, start a new session

Claude API

POST https://api.anthropic.com/v1/skills   (upload the folder)

# then on /v1/messages:
"container": { "skills": [{ "type": "custom", "skill_id": "skill_...", "version": "latest" }] },
"tools": [{ "type": "code_execution_20250825", "name": "code_execution" }]

Up to 20 skills per request. Skill names must be lowercase letters, numbers, and hyphens, max 64 characters, and cannot include the words claude or anthropic.

Get the best new Claude skills, weekly

One email a week. Tested skills only. Unsubscribe anytime.