ZIP-based package containing AI skill instructions, metadata, and optional supporting resources
File type: Configuration file
A .skill file is a ZIP-based package used to distribute an AI skill. It commonly contains a SKILL.md instruction file, together with optional scripts, reference documents, templates, and other resources that define how an AI system should perform a specialized task.
These files are generally opened or imported by the AI platform that supports the skill package format. Because the underlying format is ZIP, archive utilities such as 7-Zip, WinZip, Archive Utility, and unzip can also inspect the contents.
File type category:
Configuration file
Date updated: August 26, 2026
The .skill format is intended for packaging reusable AI capabilities rather than storing a conventional document or executable program. A package typically uses a Markdown file named SKILL.md to provide the skill name, description, operating instructions, and usage guidance. Additional directories may contain examples, scripts, schemas, or reference material.
Technically, the format is an ordinary ZIP archive with a .skill filename extension. This makes it portable and allows multiple related files to be distributed as one package. The archive may include text, Markdown, JSON, images, and executable helper files, depending on the platform and the skill author.
Skill packages are associated with AI-assisted workflows and may be used by compatible versions of Claude, Claude Code, or other software implementing the same skill-package conventions. Exact manifest names, directory layouts, permissions, and supported resources can vary between platforms, so the documentation for the target AI application takes precedence.
On Windows, macOS, and Linux, a .skill file can be examined with standard ZIP software. Renaming a copy to .zip may make it easier to open in file managers that do not recognize the extension, but changing the name does not convert the contents. Extracting or editing a package manually can make it invalid for a particular AI platform if required files or paths are changed.
To use the file as an AI skill, import or upload it through the compatible AI application and follow that application's skill-management instructions. If the application does not provide a direct import option, make a backup copy, rename the extension to .zip, and open it with 7-Zip or another archive manager on Windows, Archive Utility or The Unarchiver on macOS, or Archive Manager and unzip on Linux.
Opening the archive manually only displays its files; it does not activate the skill. Avoid running scripts found inside an untrusted package, and verify that the package comes from a reliable source before importing it into an AI tool.
A .skill file is already a ZIP archive, so conversion is usually unnecessary. To inspect or modify it, extract the archive with 7-Zip, WinZip, Archive Utility, or a Linux archive utility, then create a ZIP archive again while preserving the required file names and directory structure. The resulting archive can be renamed with the .skill extension.
There is no universal converter that turns a .skill package into another AI platform's skill format. A package can be adapted manually by rewriting its instructions and metadata for the destination platform. General online ZIP tools may read or create the archive, but uploading AI instructions or private supporting files to an online service can expose sensitive information.
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