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

# Create a skill with the co-pilot

> Describe the skill you want in plain language and let the IdeaboxAI Co-pilot plan, write, and package a finished skill file you can install.

The quickest way to make a skill is to tell the **IdeaboxAI Co-pilot** what you want in your own words. It plans the skill, checks with you to make sure it understood, writes all the instructions, and gives you a finished skill file you can install. This guide walks through describing, reviewing, building, and installing a skill.

## Open the Co-pilot and describe your skill

Start from the Co-pilot home screen and describe what you need.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open the Co-pilot">
    Click **Home** in the left menu to open the **IdeaboxAI Co-pilot**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Describe the skill">
    In the chat box, describe the skill you'd like. Try to be clear about three things:

    * What the skill should **do**.
    * When you'd want to **use** it.
    * What its finished **result** should look like.

    For example, "Can you create a skill for market and competition research?"
  </Step>
</Steps>

<img src="https://ideaboxai-test.s3.amazonaws.com/copilot-attachments/ideaboxai/thread-1782837682226-pz2box/bc2cc15c-80db-41ac-8e82-1b4fbdd3458d/original.png" alt="Co-pilot home screen with the skill creation prompt typed in the chat input." className="rounded-xl border border-gray-200 shadow-md hover:shadow-2xl transition-all duration-300" />

## Look over the plan

Before writing anything, the Co-pilot shows you a plan so you can check it first. It shows the following.

* **Skill name** - A suggested name, for example, `market-competition-research`.
* **What it would do** - A short list of what the skill covers.
* **When you'd use it** - The kinds of questions or situations it's meant for.
* **What the result looks like** - The sections the finished output will have, for example, a summary, a market overview, competitor profiles, a comparison, opportunities and risks, and sources.

The Co-pilot might also ask you a couple of quick questions, for example, whether the skill should be general or focused on one industry, whether it should do a quick check or a deep dive, and how you'd like the result laid out.

<Tip>
  Answering these questions gives you a skill that fits your needs better. If you're happy with a solid general version, just reply "go ahead".
</Tip>

<img src="https://ideaboxai-test.s3.amazonaws.com/copilot-attachments/ideaboxai/thread-1782837682226-pz2box/1a61b61b-ce8a-407b-ab49-703d732d8202/original.png" alt="Co-pilot showing the skill plan with What it would do, When it would trigger, and Output format sections." className="rounded-xl border border-gray-200 shadow-md hover:shadow-2xl transition-all duration-300" />

## The Co-pilot builds your skill

Once you say yes, the Co-pilot writes the whole skill for you, the instructions, the layout for the results, a guide for choosing good sources, and any extra supporting files. You see it working as it goes. When it's finished, you see the following.

* A **skill card** with the skill's name and version, for example, `market-competition-research` Skill V1.
* A **Download** button to save the skill file.
* A **Share** button to send the skill to someone.
* A short recap of what the skill does, what's included, and when to use it.
* **Next steps** for how to install and try out your new skill.

<img src="https://ideaboxai-test.s3.amazonaws.com/copilot-attachments/ideaboxai/thread-1782837682226-pz2box/d8ee637f-4115-4b66-adad-49d3f4c7a5d6/original.png" alt="Co-pilot showing the completed skill card with Download and Share buttons, and a full summary." className="rounded-xl border border-gray-200 shadow-md hover:shadow-2xl transition-all duration-300" />

## Install your skill

With the skill file saved, upload it to Skills Studio to make it available to your personas.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Download the file">
    Click **Download** to save the skill file to your computer.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Open Skills Studio">
    Go to **Skills Studio** by clicking **Skills** in the left menu.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Upload the skill">
    Click **+ Create Skill**, then **Upload**, and choose the file you just saved.
  </Step>
</Steps>

Your skill now appears in Skills Studio, ready to add to your personas.

## Tips for creating good skills

A little upfront detail produces a sharper skill on the first try.

* **Be clear about the result you want.** The more you describe how the finished output should look, its sections, layout, and length, the more useful your skill will be.
* **Say when you'd use it.** Tell the Co-pilot what kinds of questions this skill should help with. This helps it know when to step in.
* **Answer the questions it asks.** These questions clear up anything unclear, and answering them gives you a better skill on the first try.
* **Try it before adding it to a persona.** Once installed, run three to five realistic questions through it to check the results before you put it to work in a live persona.
* **Keep improving it with the Co-pilot.** If the result isn't quite right, tell the Co-pilot what you'd like to change in the same chat, and it makes a new, improved version.
* **Keep each skill focused.** A skill that does one thing well is easier to look after and works more reliably than one that tries to do too much at once.

<Note>
  Once your skill is installed, add it to a persona from the **Edit Persona** panel. See [About skills](/copilot/skills-overview) for how skills connect to personas, and [Share a skill](/copilot/share-skill) to send it to teammates.
</Note>