How to Install a Claude Skill

Installing a Claude skill takes about five minutes. Here is the whole process, start to finish.

What you need

• Access to Claude (the skill format differs between Claude's products — check the listing).
• The skill package, usually a .zip download or a folder.
• Two minutes to read the skill's own install notes — authors sometimes add one platform-specific step.

Step by step

1. Get the skill from the seller. Free skills download straight from the listing; paid ones redirect you to the seller's own checkout first. (On Skill Harbor, you never pay the directory — the money goes to the seller.)
2. Unzip the package if it came as a .zip. You should see a folder containing a SKILL.md file — that file is the heart of the skill.
3. Place the folder where Claude looks for skills. The exact location depends on which Claude product you use — the skill's install prompt tells you. Do not nest it an extra level deep: skills/my-skill/SKILL.md is right, skills/my-skill/my-skill/SKILL.md is not.
4. Start a new conversation. Skills load when the conversation starts, so an existing chat will not see the new one.
5. Test it. Ask Claude to do the thing the skill is for — "review this code," "plan my week" — and confirm it follows the skill's behavior rather than improvising.

Where to find skills worth installing

Three reliable sources:

• Open directories like Skill Harbor — listings show supported platforms, price, and verification badges before you download.
• GitHub — many authors publish skills as open-source repos.
• The author's own site — common for commercial skills.

Troubleshooting

• Claude ignores the skill: check the folder nesting and the SKILL.md filename, then start a brand-new conversation.
• Half the features do not work: some skills need API keys or permissions (calendar access, for example). Read the install notes — the missing piece is usually a key you have to paste in.
• It worked yesterday, broken today: the skill may have updated. Re-download the latest version from the seller.

Frequently asked questions

How do I install a skill in Claude?

Download the package, place its folder where Claude looks for skills, start a new conversation, and test it.

Where do I find Claude skills?

In open directories like Skill Harbor, on GitHub, or from the author's own site.

Why is my skill not showing up in Claude?

Usually the folder is nested too deep, SKILL.md is missing, or you need a fresh conversation.

Can I install the same skill on ChatGPT?

Only if the author built a ChatGPT version. Skill formats are platform-specific.

Find a skill to install