# Add a Skill to Your Agent
URL: /guides/manage-skills

This guide walks you through adding a skill to your Tambo agent, testing it, and managing skills over time.

## Prerequisites

* A Tambo project using OpenAI or Anthropic as the LLM provider
* A model that supports skills (see [Skills concept page](/concepts/skills#model-support) for the full list)

If your project uses an unsupported provider or model, the skills section in your project settings shows a warning with instructions to switch.

## Step 1: Create a Skill

You can create a skill from the dashboard, from a file, or via the CLI.

### From the dashboard

1. Open your project in the Tambo dashboard
2. Navigate to **Settings** and scroll to the **Skills** section
3. Click **Create Skill**
4. Fill in the name (kebab-case), description, and instructions
5. Click **Save**

### From a markdown file via CLI

Write a markdown file with YAML frontmatter:

```markdown
---
name: code-reviewer
description: "Review code for bugs, security issues, and best practices"
---

You are a code review assistant. When the user shares code:

1. Check for bugs and logic errors
2. Identify security vulnerabilities
3. Suggest improvements for readability and performance
4. Provide specific line-by-line feedback
5. Explain your reasoning for each suggestion
```

Then upload it:

```bash
npx tambo skills add code-reviewer.md
```

### Import a file via the dashboard

In the Skills section, click **Import** or drag and drop a `.md` file. Tambo parses the frontmatter and creates the skill.

### Tips for writing good instructions

* Be specific about what the skill should do and how
* Use numbered steps for multi-step workflows
* Include examples of expected input and output
* Define boundaries (what the skill should NOT do)
* Keep instructions focused on a single domain

## Step 2: Test the Skill

Send a message that matches the skill's domain. If you created a `code-reviewer` skill, paste a code snippet and ask for a review. Verify the response follows your instructions rather than giving a generic answer.

If the response does not reflect your instructions, check that the skill is enabled in your project settings and that your model [supports skills](/concepts/skills#model-support).

## Step 3: Manage Skills

### Enable and disable

Toggle individual skills on or off from the Skills section in your project settings, or via the CLI:

```bash
npx tambo skills enable code-reviewer
npx tambo skills disable code-reviewer
```

Disabled skills remain stored but are not passed to the LLM at inference time. This is useful for A/B testing skill configurations or temporarily disabling a skill without deleting it.

### Export, edit, and update

```bash
npx tambo skills get code-reviewer > code-reviewer.md
# edit the file...
npx tambo skills update code-reviewer.md
```

### Delete

```bash
npx tambo skills delete code-reviewer
```

For the full CLI reference, see [CLI Skills Commands](/reference/cli/commands/skills).

## Next Steps

* [Skills Concept](/concepts/skills) - Understand how skills work under the hood
* [Agent Configuration](/concepts/agent-configuration) - Configure custom instructions alongside skills
* [Configure LLM Provider](/guides/setup-project/llm-provider) - Choose a model that supports skills