Installation / Claude (app)
◆Anthropic · Projects
Install a skill in the Claude app
The Claude desktop and web app doesn't read files from disk — a skill lives in a Project's knowledge for reuse, or pasted into a chat for one-off use. (For the file-based CLAUDE.md workflow, see Claude Code.)
Two ways to load a skill
Pick based on whether you'll reuse it across chats.
A
Project — best for a skill you'll reuse (one Project per skill or workflow).
1. Claude → Projects → Create project
2. Open "Project knowledge" → add the skill .md (or paste it)
3. Optionally add it to the project's custom instructions
4. Start a chat in the project → it gates for inputs firstB
Single chat — fastest for a one-off run.
Paste the skill markdown as your first message, then add:
"Use the skill above. Ask me for any inputs you need first."Gotcha: Project knowledge applies to every chat in that Project — keep one Project per skill (or per workflow chain) so skills don't bleed into each other. A skill pasted into a plain chat only lasts that conversation.