Definitive Guide: How to Master and Create Skills in Gemini
The way we interact with artificial intelligence is evolving. Discover how to streamline your workflow using the new standard of AI skills.
Table of Contents
- 1. What are Skills and how do they differ from old Gems?
- 2. Where to find the Skills section in Gemini
- 3. How to migrate or transform an old Gem into a Skill
- 4. How to create a Skill from scratch
- 5. The true power: Combining multiple Skills in a single chat
- 6. How to import and export Skills
- 7. Current limitations and practical tips
1. What are Skills and how do they differ from old Gems?
- Old Gems: They functioned as a completely separate and isolated chat. Every time you wanted to perform a specific task, you had to remember to open that exclusive chat.
- New Skills: These are structured instructions that you teach Gemini just once. The AI automatically recognizes when they should be applied based on the context of the current chat, without needing a separate space. Plus, you can use multiple skills combined in a single conversation.
2. Where to find the Skills section in Gemini
- Open the left sidebar in Gemini.
- Go to the bottom left and click on Settings.
- Select Skills (located right above Gems).
3. How to migrate or transform an old Gem into a Skill
- Keep two browser tabs open: one in the Gems section and one in Skills.
- Click on Create with Gemini to open an interactive chat.
- Copy the key sections of your old Gem (Name, Description, and Custom Instructions).
- Send a message to Gemini requesting automatic transformation with the copied data.
4. How to create a Skill from scratch
- Go to Settings > Skills > Create with Gemini.
- Write a detailed prompt indicating the rules the AI should follow.
- Test the skill by typing a slash (
/) in any new chat to select and activate it instantly.
5. The true power: Combining multiple Skills in a single chat
Type a slash (/) to invoke the first skill, add another slash or mention for the second, paste your base content, and hit send. Gemini will process the text by applying the combined guidelines simultaneously.
6. How to import and export Skills
- To export: Click the three dots next to the skill in your settings and select Download (generates a Markdown
.mdfile). - To import: Unzip the downloaded file, go to the Skills section in Gemini, and upload the trusted
skill.mdfile directly.
7. Current limitations and practical tips
- Certain advanced native tools (like Canvas or deep research) may be temporarily disabled while using a skill.
- You can keep up to a maximum of 100 active skills simultaneously.
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