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How to Install Claude Skills: Complete Guide for 2025

Learn how to install Claude Skills in Claude.ai, Claude Code, and Claude Desktop with our step-by-step tutorial. Includes troubleshooting tips and best practices.

January 27, 2025
Claude Skills Team
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Claude Skills are powerful extensions that customize Claude's AI capabilities for your specific workflows. Whether you're using Claude.ai, Claude Code, or Claude Desktop, this comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know about installing and using Skills.

What Are Claude Skills?

Claude Skills are modular capabilities that extend Claude's functionality through organized packages containing instructions, scripts, and resources. Think of them as plugins that teach Claude how to handle specific tasks in your unique way—from following your company's documentation style to automating complex workflows.

Key benefits:

  • Workflow automation: Automate repetitive tasks specific to your work
  • Consistency: Ensure Claude follows your organizational standards every time
  • Customization: Extend Claude's capabilities with your team's expertise
  • Time-saving: Reduce manual work and get better results faster

Prerequisites: What You Need Before Installing

Before you begin installing Claude Skills, make sure you have:

✅ Claude Subscription: Skills are available for Pro, Max, Team, and Enterprise plan users ✅ Code Execution Enabled: Skills require code execution to function (found in Settings → Capabilities) ✅ Skill File: Either a .skill or .zip file from the marketplace or a custom skill

[SCREENSHOT PLACEHOLDER: Claude subscription plans comparison]

For Team and Enterprise Users

  • Enterprise plans: Organization owners must first enable both Code execution and Skills in Admin settings before individual members can use them
  • Team plans: Skills are enabled by default at the organization level

[SCREENSHOT PLACEHOLDER: Admin settings for Enterprise users]

Installing Skills in Claude Web (claude.ai)

This is the easiest method for most users and works directly in your browser.

Step 1: Enable Code Execution

  1. Go to claude.ai and log in
  2. Click your profile icon in the top-right corner
  3. Select Settings
  4. Navigate to Capabilities
  5. Toggle on Code execution if it's not already enabled

[SCREENSHOT PLACEHOLDER: Settings > Capabilities menu with code execution toggle]

Step 2: Access the Skills Section

  1. In the same Capabilities section, scroll down to Skills
  2. You'll see example skills you can enable and an option to upload custom skills

[SCREENSHOT PLACEHOLDER: Skills section showing example skills]

Step 3: Install a Skill from the Marketplace

  1. Browse the Get Claude Skills to find skills
  2. Click on a skill you want to install
  3. Click the Get Skill or Download button
  4. The skill file (.skill or .zip) will download to your computer

[SCREENSHOT PLACEHOLDER: Skill detail page with download button]

Step 4: Upload the Skill to Claude

  1. Return to Settings → Capabilities → Skills
  2. Click Upload skill
  3. Select the downloaded .skill or .zip file from your computer
  4. Wait for the upload to complete (you'll see a confirmation message)

[SCREENSHOT PLACEHOLDER: Upload skill dialog with file selection]

Step 5: Verify Installation

  1. Start a new conversation in Claude
  2. The skill will automatically activate when relevant to your request
  3. You can see active skills indicated in Claude's responses

[SCREENSHOT PLACEHOLDER: Claude conversation showing an active skill]

Installing Skills in Claude Code

Claude Code is ideal for developers who want to integrate skills directly into their coding workflow.

Step 1: Open Claude Code

  1. Launch Claude Code in your project directory
  2. You can start it from the command line by typing claude in your terminal

[SCREENSHOT PLACEHOLDER: Terminal showing Claude Code launch]

Step 2: Access the Plugin Marketplace

  1. Type /plugins or /plugin in the chat
  2. The plugin marketplace panel will open
  3. Alternatively, click the plugins icon in the sidebar

[SCREENSHOT PLACEHOLDER: Claude Code plugins panel]

Step 3: Browse and Install Skills

Option A: Install from Built-in Marketplace

  1. Search for skills in the marketplace panel
  2. Find the skill you want (e.g., anthropics/skills)
  3. Click Install Now
  4. Claude Code will download and register the skill automatically

Option B: Install via Command

/plugin marketplace add anthropics/skills

Option C: Install from Local Directory

/plugin add /path/to/skill-directory

[SCREENSHOT PLACEHOLDER: Plugin installation progress in Claude Code]

Step 4: Verify Installation

  1. Type /plugins list to see all installed plugins
  2. Your newly installed skill should appear in the list
  3. Skills will automatically activate when relevant

[SCREENSHOT PLACEHOLDER: List of installed plugins]

Installing Skills in Claude Desktop

Claude Desktop provides the best offline experience with full skill support.

Step 1: Download Claude Desktop

If you haven't already:

  1. Visit the official Claude Desktop download page
  2. Download the installer for your operating system (Windows, macOS, Linux)
  3. Install and launch the application

[SCREENSHOT PLACEHOLDER: Claude Desktop download page]

Step 2: Enable Skills in Desktop Settings

  1. Open Claude Desktop
  2. Click the settings icon (⚙️) in the top-right
  3. Navigate to Capabilities
  4. Enable Code execution and Skills

[SCREENSHOT PLACEHOLDER: Claude Desktop settings panel]

Step 3: Upload a Skill

  1. Download a skill file from the marketplace or create your own
  2. In Claude Desktop, go to Settings → Capabilities → Skills
  3. Click Upload skill
  4. Select your .skill or .zip file
  5. Wait for the confirmation message

[SCREENSHOT PLACEHOLDER: Skill upload in Claude Desktop]

Manual Installation (Advanced Users)

For developers who prefer command-line installation or want to manage skills in version control.

Personal Skills (User-Level)

Install skills to your home directory for use across all projects:

# Create skills directory if it doesn't exist
mkdir -p ~/.claude/skills

# Copy downloaded skill
cp -r downloaded-skill ~/.claude/skills/

# Or unzip a skill file
unzip skill-file.zip -d ~/.claude/skills/

[SCREENSHOT PLACEHOLDER: Terminal showing manual installation commands]

Project Skills (Project-Level)

Install skills specific to a project using Git or direct copying:

# Using Git
cd your-project
git clone https://github.com/username/skill-repo .claude/skills/my-skill

# Or copy directly
cp -r /path/to/skill .claude/skills/my-skill

[SCREENSHOT PLACEHOLDER: Project directory structure with .claude/skills folder]

Troubleshooting Common Installation Issues

Issue 1: "Skills require code execution to be enabled"

Solution:

  1. Go to Settings → Capabilities
  2. Toggle on Code execution
  3. Refresh your browser or restart Claude Desktop
  4. Try installing the skill again

Issue 2: Skill upload fails or times out

Solution:

  • Check your internet connection
  • Verify the skill file isn't corrupted (try re-downloading)
  • Ensure the file size is under the maximum limit (usually 50MB)
  • Try uploading in an incognito/private browser window

Issue 3: Skill doesn't activate when expected

Solution:

  • Verify the skill is installed (check Settings → Capabilities → Skills)
  • Start a new conversation (skills may not activate in existing chats)
  • Be more specific in your prompt to trigger the skill
  • Check if the skill description matches your use case

Issue 4: "Permission denied" on manual installation

Solution:

# Fix permissions
chmod -R 755 ~/.claude/skills/

# Or run with sudo (macOS/Linux)
sudo cp -r skill-folder ~/.claude/skills/

Issue 5: Skills not showing in Claude Code

Solution:

  • Restart Claude Code completely
  • Verify the skill is in the correct directory
  • Check the SKILL.md file for syntax errors
  • Run /plugins refresh to reload

[SCREENSHOT PLACEHOLDER: Error messages and solutions]

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Are skills free to use?

A: Skills have two cost components:

  1. Claude subscription: You need Pro, Max, Team, or Enterprise ($20-200/month)
  2. Skill pricing: Individual skills may be free or paid on the marketplace

Q: Can I use skills offline?

A: Claude Desktop supports offline usage once skills are installed, but initial installation and some skills require internet connectivity.

Q: How many skills can I install?

A: There's no hard limit, but we recommend:

  • Start with 5-10 skills you'll use regularly
  • Add more as needed
  • Remove unused skills to keep Claude responsive

Q: Do skills work on mobile?

A: Currently, skills are only available in Claude web, Claude Code, and Claude Desktop. Mobile support may come in future updates.

Q: Can I share skills with my team?

A: Yes! Options include:

  • Share the skill file directly
  • Use a shared Git repository
  • For Enterprise: Admins can deploy organization-wide skills

Q: Will skills slow down Claude?

A: Well-designed skills should have minimal impact on performance. Claude only loads relevant skills when needed.

Q: Can I monetize my custom skills?

A: Yes! You can publish and sell your skills on the Get Claude Skills. Learn more about becoming a seller.

Conclusion

Installing Claude Skills is straightforward whether you're using the web interface, Claude Code, or Claude Desktop. The key is to:

  1. Ensure your subscription includes skill support
  2. Enable code execution
  3. Choose your installation method based on your workflow
  4. Follow security best practices
  5. Start with trusted, well-documented skills

Ready to supercharge your Claude experience? Browse the Skills Marketplace to find your first skills, or learn how to create your own.

Last updated: January 27, 2025 Was this guide helpful? Give us feedback