> ## Documentation Index > Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://documentation.deepmask.io/llms.txt > Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further. # Skills > Save reusable instructions, add workflow steps, and activate your skills in any chat with a slash command. Skills let you save the instructions you use regularly, so you spend less time setting up a task. Create a skill for meeting preparation, writing reviews, research, or other recurring work, then activate it whenever you need it. Your skills are personal to your account. Skills library with starter skills and the New skill button. ## Creating a skill Click **Skills** in the main sidebar, then select **New skill**. Choose an icon and enter a unique name. DeepMask suggests a **Slash command** from the name, such as `meeting-prep`. You can edit this to make the skill easier to find in chat. Describe what the AI should do and how you want the answer structured. Include preferences for tone, length, or information to include. Add **Workflow** steps, review the **Connectors**, or choose a preferred **Model**. Leave the model on **Any model** to use whichever model is selected in chat. Keep **Enabled** checked and click **Save**. Your skill is now available in the chat's `/` menu. Make instructions specific. Instead of “Summarize my notes,” try “Summarize my meeting notes in three bullets, then list decisions and action items with owners and due dates. Mark missing details as ‘Not specified.’” Create skill dialog with a Meeting summary example and its instructions. ## Using a skill in chat Type `/` in the chat input. Continue typing the skill's name or slash command to filter the list. Click a matching skill. A card above the input shows which skill is active. Write your message and provide any text or files the skill needs. Send the message to get a response guided by your saved instructions. Chat slash menu listing available skills. The skill stays active for follow-up messages until you remove it or choose another. Click **×** on the active skill card to remove it. Starting a new chat also clears the selection. You can use one skill at a time. Selecting another skill replaces the current selection. Choosing a skill from the `/` menu does not send a message until you submit your request. An active Polish my writing skill above a sample chat request. ## Running a skill immediately You can also start a skill directly from the **Skills** page. Hover over a skill and click its **play** button. DeepMask opens chat and sends a message asking the AI to run the skill. You can also use the play button on the active skill card above the chat input. If your skill needs input, such as meeting notes or a draft to rewrite, select it with `/` and send that material with your message. ## Adding workflow steps Use a workflow when a task benefits from several passes. Each skill can include up to **eight steps**, with an action and an optional role for each step. In the skill editor, click **Add step** under **Workflow**. Describe the action, then add a role such as “Editor” or “Reviewer” if you want the AI to approach that step from a particular perspective. For example, a skill that reviews an idea could use: | Role | Action | | - | - | | Advocate | Explain the strongest reasons to pursue the idea. | | Red team | Identify the three most likely ways it could fail. | | Judge | Recommend whether to proceed and suggest one improvement. | The AI is instructed to work through the steps in order and announce each step as it goes. A role tells the AI which perspective to take for that part of the task. Skill editor with Advocate, Red team, and Judge workflow steps. ## Choosing a model and connectors ### Model Select a preferred model in the skill editor to switch to it when you activate the skill. Leave **Any model** selected to keep your current chat model. If your preferred model is unavailable, chat keeps its current model. ### Connectors Review the tools your skill needs under **Connectors**. **Web search** is available by default and is selected for new skills. Activating a skill with Web search selected turns on web search in chat. Other connectors appear from your enabled connections. Set up and manage those connections through [MCP Connectors](/features/mcp-connectors). Removing a skill keeps the chat's model and Web search settings as they are. A skill with Web search unselected also leaves an existing chat toggle unchanged. You can adjust these settings directly in chat. Preferred model picker in the skill editor with Any model selected. ## Managing your skills * **Edit:** Click a skill on the Skills page, update its instructions or settings, and select **Save**. * **Disable:** Open the skill, uncheck **Enabled**, and save. The skill remains in your list with an **Off** label and is hidden from the `/` menu. Check Enabled again to make it available. * **Delete:** Open the skill, click **Delete**, and confirm. Deleting a skill permanently removes it from your list. ## Starter skills If you start with an empty skill list, DeepMask can add these starter skills: | Skill | What it helps you do | | - | - | | Morning brief | Catch up on important world and technology news. | | Meeting prep | Research a person or company before a meeting. | | Stress-test an idea | Examine an idea through three different perspectives. | | Polish my writing | Make a draft clearer and more concise. | You can edit these skills to suit your work, disable them, or delete them. Deleted starter skills are not automatically added back. ## Troubleshooting **Cannot save a skill?** Enter both a name and instructions, and choose a name you have not already used. Instructions can contain up to **25,000 characters**; the editor highlights text beyond the limit. **Cannot find a skill in chat?** Check that it is enabled on the Skills page, then type `/` and search by its name. This documentation is built and hosted on [Mintlify](https://mintlify.com), a developer documentation platform.