Anthropic has introduced a new feature called Skills for its AI model Claude, allowing customers to teach the AI specific knowledge and skills. Skills are customizable directories that can be stored locally or in the cloud, containing instructions, code, and data needed for specific tasks. When used with Claude, Skills enable the AI to perform complex tasks like filling out PDF forms, creating spreadsheets, and presentations.
Unlike traditional training data, Skills allow Claude to learn and adapt from specific knowledge, making it more efficient. However, Anthropic warns that Skills can also introduce risks if not installed from trusted sources. To mitigate this risk, customers are advised to thoroughly audit skills before use and understand what they do, including code dependencies and potential connections to untrusted external networks.
The new Skill feature is designed to help Claude learn and improve over time, making it a valuable tool for Anthropic’s AI-powered applications.
Source: https://www.theregister.com/2025/10/16/anthropic_mad_skills_claude