> ## Documentation Index > Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://mintlify.com/NousResearch/hermes-agent/llms.txt > Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further. # Skills system > Procedural memory that grows with you — autonomous skill creation, self-improvement, and the Skills Hub Skills are markdown files containing instructions that Hermes loads on demand. They are the agent's **procedural memory**: each skill captures a proven, reusable approach to a specific type of task — not general facts, but step-by-step know-how. ## What skills are A skill is a directory containing a `SKILL.md` file plus optional supporting files (references, templates, scripts, assets). When you invoke a skill — either by name or via `/skills` — the agent injects its contents into the conversation as a user message, preserving Anthropic prompt caching. Skills are distinct from `MEMORY.md` (broad declarative facts) and `USER.md` (your profile). A skill answers the question: *how do I do this specific type of task?* ## Skills location All skills live in `~/.hermes/skills/`. The directory is organized by category: ``` ~/.hermes/skills/ ├── my-skill/ │ ├── SKILL.md │ ├── references/ │ ├── templates/ │ └── scripts/ └── category-name/ └── another-skill/ └── SKILL.md ``` ## Built-in skill categories Hermes ships with a library of bundled skills covering common categories: | Category | Description | | ---------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------- | | `software-development` | Coding workflows, debugging, PR review, architecture | | `research` | Literature search, summarization, citation | | `productivity` | Task planning, meeting prep, writing assistance | | `data-science` | Data analysis, visualization, ML workflows | | `diagramming` | Mermaid, PlantUML, architecture diagrams | | `creative` | Writing, brainstorming, ideation | | `email` | Email drafting and triage | | `github` | Repository management, issue triage, PR workflows | | `media` | Image, audio, and video processing | | `note-taking` | Structured note capture and organization | | `social-media` | Content creation and scheduling | | `mlops` | Model training, deployment, monitoring | | `smart-home` | Home Assistant automations and controls | | `domain` | Domain-specific professional workflows | ## Autonomous skill creation After completing a complex task, Hermes may offer to save the approach as a new skill. This happens when the agent determines the solution is novel enough to be worth keeping — a self-curating learning loop. You can also ask the agent to create a skill at any time: ``` Save what we just did as a skill called "deploy-to-fly" ``` The agent will create `~/.hermes/skills/deploy-to-fly/SKILL.md` with structured instructions, code examples, and any relevant references. ## Skills self-improvement When you use a skill and the agent finds a better approach, it can update the skill in place. This means skills improve over time through use — the instructions become more accurate, edge cases get documented, and outdated steps get removed. ## The `/skills` slash command The `/skills` command is your interactive interface for the skills library. Use it both in the CLI and on messaging platforms: | Subcommand | Description | | ------------------------ | ------------------------------------ | | `/skills` | Open the interactive browser | | `/skills search ` | Search skills by name or description | | `/skills install ` | Install a skill from the Hub | | `/skills inspect ` | View a skill's full contents | | `/skills enable ` | Enable a bundled or installed skill | | `/skills disable ` | Disable a skill from autoloading | ### Installing a skill from the Hub Run `/skills search ` to find community skills on agentskills.io. Results show the skill name, description, author, and trust level. Run `/skills inspect ` to read the full `SKILL.md` before installing. Skills are security-scanned automatically. Run `/skills install ` to download and install the skill to `~/.hermes/skills/`. Hub skills are saved under a subdirectory matching their source. Either type `/` as a slash command, or ask Hermes directly: *"use the deploy-to-fly skill"*. ## Skills Hub The [Skills Hub at agentskills.io](https://agentskills.io) hosts community-contributed skills. Skills are tagged by category and trust level: * **Official** — bundled with Hermes, maintained by Nous Research * **Trusted** — vetted community contributions * **Community** — unvetted community contributions (inspect before installing) All skills downloaded from the Hub are scanned for injection and exfiltration patterns before installation. ## Creating custom skills manually Create a directory in `~/.hermes/skills/` with a `SKILL.md` file: ```bash theme={null} mkdir -p ~/.hermes/skills/my-workflow ``` A well-structured skill file includes: ```markdown theme={null} # Skill name Brief description of what this skill is for. ## When to use this skill - Use case 1 - Use case 2 ## Steps 1. First step with specific commands or instructions 2. Second step 3. ... ## Notes - Edge cases, caveats, or warnings - Known issues and workarounds ## References - Link or file reference ``` Supporting files go in `references/`, `templates/`, `scripts/`, or `assets/` subdirectories. You can point Hermes at an additional skills directory using the `HERMES_OPTIONAL_SKILLS_DIR` environment variable. This is useful for team-shared skills stored in a repository: ```bash theme={null} export HERMES_OPTIONAL_SKILLS_DIR=/path/to/team-skills ``` Skills in the optional directory appear alongside skills in `~/.hermes/skills/`. ## Compatibility Hermes skills follow the [agentskills.io](https://agentskills.io) open standard. Skills you create or install are portable to any agent that implements this standard.