---
title: "Import a skill"
description: "How to import an external skill into your workspace in OpenWork"
---

There are currently four direct ways to import an external skill.

1. Open an existing skill share link from `share.openworklabs.com`
2. Paste a skill into the share site, then import it
3. Create a skill with `Create skill in chat` and paste the external skill into that flow
4. Install a shared skill from your OpenWork Cloud organization in `Skills -> Cloud` or `Settings -> Cloud`

There is another option if you're technical: place it directly in `.opencode/skills/<skill-name>/SKILL.md` inside your workspace.

We recommend (1) and (3) because they match the built-in OpenWork flows most closely.

For teams, OpenWork Cloud can publish shared skills either as standalone org skills or inside a skill hub. Each desktop workspace can install them from the `Cloud` tab on the Skills page or from [Settings -> Cloud](/cloud/share-with-your-team/skill-hubs).

## Installing a skill from OpenWork Cloud

If someone on your team saved a skill to your active OpenWork Cloud organization, open either `Skills -> Cloud` or `Settings -> Cloud` in the desktop app.

From there you can:

- click `Install` to add the skill to the current workspace
- click `Sync` when the cloud version changes
- click `Uninstall` if you no longer want the workspace-managed copy

If the skill belongs to a hub, OpenWork also shows the hub name so you know where it came from.

## Importing an existing skill with a share URL

When you have an OpenWork [share URL](https://share.openworklabs.com/b/01KNBQDPGSS39J4AG3MN9FVZ73), click `Open in OpenWork`.

<Frame>
  ![Share page with Open in OpenWork button](/images/skill-import-share-page.png)
</Frame>

Then select the workspace where you want to install it (for example, `the-factory`).

<Frame>
  ![Select workspace dialog for importing a skill](/images/skill-import-select-workspace.png)
</Frame>

Once the skill is installed, OpenWork prompts you to reload so it can load the new skill into your workspace.

<Frame>
  ![Reload required banner after installing a skill](/images/skill-import-reload-required.png)
</Frame>

After you reload the app, you can use the skill directly in that workspace:

<Frame>
  ![Using an imported skill in chat with autocomplete](/images/skill-import-use-in-chat.png)
</Frame>

## Pasting a skill into the share site, then importing it

Start at [the OpenWork share page](https://share.openworklabs.com/) without any skill loaded. Paste or upload the skill there, then click `Generate link`:

<Frame>
  ![Share your skill page with Generate share link button](/images/skill-import-share-your-skill.png)
</Frame>

To import an external skill, the file needs to follow this structure:

```text
---
name: name of the skill
description: one line description of what the skill does
---

Any markdown text with instructions and description of the skill
```

Make sure the file follows that format when importing skills from other marketplaces or other teams.

That redirects you to the share page for the valid skill, and from there you can follow the steps from the previous section.

## Creating a skill with `/skill-creator` in chat

Type `/skill-creator` in chat, then either paste the external skill you want to import or describe what you want the skill to do. OpenWork will generate a workspace-local skill from that input.

<Frame>
  ![Using the /skill-creator command in chat](/images/skill-import-skill-creator-command.png)
</Frame>
