What is a skill

A skill is a reusable capability that helps Assist carry out a particular kind of task. Skills give Assist a consistent way to handle work, so you can get useful results without explaining the same process every time.

In this article, you'll learn what skills are, when they're useful, and how to use one in Assist.

What you'll learn

What a skill is in Assist
When using a skill can help
How to use a skill, including with an @ -mention
How skills differ from agents, output templates, and knowledge
Common things to check if a skill is not available

What is a skill?

A skill is a reusable capability in Assist. It helps Assist carry out a particular type of work in a consistent way—for example, following a defined process or applying a specific capability to your request.

You don't need to know how a skill is built to use one. Describe what you want to do in plain language, and Assist can use the skill when it is relevant. If you know the exact skill you want, you can call it directly with an @ -mention.

When is a skill useful?

A skill is useful when:

You want Assist to follow a particular process repeatedly.
Your request needs a specialised capability.
You want more consistent results for a type of task.
You already know which skill your team recommends for the work.

For a general request, you can leave out the @ -mention and let Assist use the relevant resources automatically. Use an @ -mention when you want to specify the skill yourself.

How to use a skill

Open a chat in Assist.
Type @ in the message box.
Start typing the skill's name and choose it from the picker.
Check that it appears as a coloured chip in your message.
Add your request, then send the message.

For example:

@CampaignPlanningSkill Help me plan the launch of our new product.

The exact skill names available to you depend on your permissions and where the skill is available. Skills are admin-gated, so not every user can create or manage them.

Skills compared with other Assist resources

These resources can work together, but they do different jobs:

Skill: Provides a reusable capability or process for handling a type of work.
Agent: Acts as a specialist assistant with a particular role or perspective, such as a researcher or copywriter.
Output template: Creates a specific type of finished asset, such as a brief, report, or presentation.
Knowledge: Provides information Assist can use, such as brand guidelines, product details, or meeting notes.

A simple way to remember the difference is: a skill helps with how work is done, an agent provides specialist help, an output template determines what is created, and knowledge supplies the information used.

Example: using a campaign planning skill

Imagine your team has a skill called CampaignPlanningSkill . You need help planning a launch for a new product.

In a new Assist chat, type @ in the message box.
Search for CampaignPlanningSkill and select it.
Add a clear request, such as:

@CampaignPlanningSkill Help me plan the launch of our new project management app for small creative teams. Include the audience, key message, channels, and a simple timeline.

Send the message.
Assist uses the selected skill alongside the details in your request. Review the result and add any missing context or changes in a follow-up message.

If you don't know the skill's name, describe your request without an @ -mention. Assist can use its available resources when they are relevant to what you are asking.

Tips & common pitfalls

You don't have to use an @ -mention every time. For general or exploratory requests, describe what you need in plain language and let Assist find the relevant resource.

Make your request specific. A skill can help with the process, but your request should still include useful details such as the goal, audience, format, or deadline.

The skill may not appear in the picker. Check that you are in the correct workspace or project and that you have permission to access the skill. Newly available resources may not appear until a later chat turn.

You may not be able to create or manage skills. Skill creation and management are admin-gated. If your team needs a new skill or a change to an existing one, contact your workspace administrator.

A skill is not the same as an agent or template. Choose a skill for a reusable capability or process; choose an agent for specialist help, an output template for a specific deliverable, and knowledge for reference information.

Review the result. A skill supports Assist's work, but you should still check the output and provide follow-up instructions when needed.

Skills are a simple way to make repeatable work more consistent, while still letting you explain what you need in your own words.