Skip to main content
|

​
Overview

A skill is a reusable set of instructions for a coding task. It describes when to use a procedure, the steps to follow, and how to check the result. Use one for work you repeat — adding tests, reviewing a release, or applying your team’s implementation conventions — without writing the same instructions every time. You can choose a skill from the catalog or create your own. Manage your saved skills under Code > Skills, or go directly to app.coderabbit.ai/code/skills.

​
Use a skill in a task

1

Open the skill picker

On the new-task page, choose Skill under Start with. In a task’s composer, use /skill or choose Use a skill from the attachment menu.
2

Choose a skill

Browse Trending or Official, or search the catalog. Open My skills for your private skills and the skills shared with your organization.
3

Describe the work

Select one skill, then add the request it should apply to. You can also send it without additional instructions to run the skill as written. The selected skill appears in the composer; remove it there if you change your mind before sending.
A skill can start a task or guide a follow-up in an existing task. If the agent is already working, a message with a selected skill is queued for a subsequent turn. It does not replace the running turn’s instructions. Catalog skills are checked for compatibility and security before use. If a skill is blocked or incompatible, the picker explains why it cannot be selected. Where an audit reports a risk, its badge links to the audit details.

​
Create a skill

Open Code > Skills and choose Create skill. There are three ways to provide the instructions: Choose Private — only you or Organization — all members for access. New skills default to private. Select Preview skill to review the instructions and included files, then Save skill to add it to the library.

​
Write a SKILL.md file

A skill needs a root SKILL.md with a name and description in its YAML frontmatter, followed by the procedure. Use lowercase letters, numbers, and single hyphens for the name, up to 64 characters.
SKILL.md
Import a folder or ZIP when the skill needs supporting scripts, examples, or reference files. Keep those files alongside SKILL.md and refer to them with relative paths.

​
Share and manage skills

The library belongs to the selected organization. My skills includes both skills private to you in that organization and skills its members have shared. A task uses the library version selected for that turn. Updating the skill does not replace the version already attached to existing work.
A private skill can expose its instructions and outputs when you use it in a shared task. Making the skill private or archiving it later does not remove it from existing tasks. Use a private task when its contents should stay visible only to you.
Skills run with the task’s existing permissions. Sharing a skill does not grant additional repository access or change who can see a task.

​
What’s next

Start a coding task

Choose the repository and context for your first task with a skill.

Work with a running task

Follow the work, queue another skill, and review the result.

Coding environments

Prepare the toolchains and dependencies your skills need to run.