> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.odella.ai/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Skills

> Add packaged instructions and specialist behaviours to an AI employee.

Skills are packaged capabilities that teach a worker how to handle a specific kind of task, tool, or workflow pattern.

Where workflows define a process, skills provide specialist know-how: instructions, conventions, techniques, and guardrails the worker can apply while working.

## What skills give a worker

Skills can help a worker:

* Follow a specialist process
* Use a tool correctly
* Apply domain-specific standards
* Produce consistent outputs
* Avoid known mistakes
* Work with a particular system or document type

## How skills appear in the skill tree

Skills appear as connected capabilities in the skill tree. Selecting a skill opens its details so you can inspect what it provides.

## When to use skills

Use skills when the worker needs reusable expertise that is not just a single workflow or document template.

Good examples include:

* A research method
* A drafting style guide
* A provider-specific operating procedure
* A checklist for a specialised review
* Instructions for using a connected business system

## Best practices

* Keep skills focused and named clearly.
* Prefer workflows for strict step-by-step automation.
* Prefer knowledge bases for source material.
* Prefer templates for document structure.
* Use skills for durable operating know-how.