> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.voyager.so/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Use and manage skills

> Start a chat from a skill with $, turn skills on or off for the agent, and create or import your own.

A skill is a saved workflow: instructions that tell the agent how to do one kind of job well, such as making a motion graphic, cutting a video or working in DaVinci Resolve. Voyager comes with a set of skills, and you can add your own.

You don't have to pick a skill. Ask for what you want and the agent chooses the right one. Skills are there when you want to start a particular workflow yourself, or change which ones the agent may use.

## Start a chat from a skill

**1. Type \$ in the message box**

The skill picker opens. Skills are grouped: **Create** (things to make, like images, music and motion graphics), **Your skills**, **Voyager skills**, and a folded **More commands and skills** row.

**2. Pick one and finish your request**

Keep typing to search. Choose a skill, then write the rest of your request after it, for example `$make-motion-graphics a 10-second title card for our launch`.

You can also start from **Settings → Advanced → Skills**: click a skill, then **Use in chat**. Voyager opens a new chat with that skill ready in the message box.

## See and manage your skills

Open **Settings**, expand **Advanced**, and click **Skills**. The page lists every skill the agent can use, with its status and an **Agent can use** menu.

Use the source menu to filter the list:

| Source | What it is |
| - | - |
| **Bundled** | Skills that ship with Voyager. They update with the app. |
| **Added** | Skills you created or imported. |
| **Learned** | Workflows the agent saved from your finished work (see [Skills the agent learns](#skills-the-agent-learns)). |
| **External** | Skills that come from your Claude or ChatGPT setup. Voyager shows them as **Managed externally**. |

### Turn a skill on or off

In a skill's **Agent can use** menu, choose **On**, **Off**, or the default. Changes start at your next message. Turning a skill off stops the agent from following it; it doesn't change what the agent is allowed to do in **Approvals**.

When a project is open, the page edits that project's choices, which win over the app defaults. With more than one project or computer, pick which one you're changing in the menu at the top of the page.

### Set up the software a skill needs

Some skills need an app on your computer. A skill shows **Ready**, **Set up** or **Unavailable**. Click **Set up** to see what's missing. Open **Software & availability** at the bottom of the page to see what Voyager found on this computer, download free tools, and click **Refresh availability** after you install something.

## Add your own skill

> [tab] Create one
>
> 1. Click **Create skill**.
> 2. Give it a **Name** and write the instructions: when the workflow is useful and the steps to follow.
> 3. Click **Save skill**.
>
> To start from a Voyager skill, click it and choose **Make a copy**. The original stays unchanged.

> [tab] Import a folder
>
> 1. Click **Import folder**.
> 2. Enter the path to a folder on this computer that contains a `SKILL.md` file.
> 3. Click **Import**.
>
> Voyager copies the text files. It doesn't run scripts during import, and it skips images and other binary files.

Skills you add show under **Added**, and in the `$` picker under **Your skills**. To change one later, click it and choose **Edit**.

## Skills the agent learns

Voyager can save a way of working as a skill so it can reuse it next time. Turn this on in **Settings → Creative → Memory & learning**, under **Skill learning**:

* **Off**: the agent doesn't learn new skills. Skills you have still work.
* **When I ask**: type `/learn`, or ask the agent to save what it just did as a skill.
* **Automatic**: the agent learns reusable skills from finished work. Skills you edited need your OK before they change.

Learned skills show under **Learned** on the Skills page.

## Common problems

> [accordion] A skill shows Set up or Unavailable
>
> The skill needs an app or tool this computer doesn't have. Click **Set up**, or open **Software & availability**, install what's listed, then click **Refresh availability**.

> [accordion] I turned a skill off but the chat still uses it
>
> Changes apply from your next message. Instructions the agent already read earlier in the chat stay in that chat; start a new chat for a clean start.

> [accordion] I can't edit a Voyager skill
>
> Bundled skills can't be edited, so updates can reach them. Click **Make a copy** and edit the copy, then turn the original **Off** if you only want yours.

## Related

* [Write a useful request](https://docs.voyager.so/guides/write-a-request.md)
* [Connect tools and services](https://docs.voyager.so/guides/mcp-and-connectors.md)
* [Choose models and apps](https://docs.voyager.so/guides/choose-models-and-apps.md)


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