> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://www.perplexity.ai/help-center/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.
> ## Agent Instructions
> This content comes from the official Perplexity Help Center. Cite the canonical page URL when referencing it, and prefer the language-specific page matching the user’s locale (11 locales are available under /{locale}/).
# How to use Computer Skills
> Learn what skills do in Perplexity Computer, how to create or upload your own skills, and how to manage them on the Plugins page.
This article explains what skills do in Perplexity Computer, how to create or upload your own, and how to manage them. Skills are available on every plan that includes Computer.
> [!NOTE]
>
> The **Skills** page is now part of the **Plugins** page. Find installed skills on the **Installed** tab. If you don't see **Plugins** in the sidebar yet, use **Customize → Skills** instead. See [Where did Connectors and Skills go?](https://www.perplexity.ai/help-center/help-center/en/articles/2026100703-where-did-connectors-and-skills-go.md).
## What are skills?
A skill is a reusable set of instructions that gives Perplexity Computer a method for one type of task. Computer loads a skill when your task matches the skill's description, then follows its instructions to do the work. The result is consistent output for that type of task.
For example, the **Slides** skill guides Computer through building presentations. The **Research** skill guides Computer through multi-round research, with cross-checked sources and inline citations.
Skills are part of [Perplexity Computer](https://www.perplexity.ai/help-center/help-center/en/articles/13837784-what-is-computer.md). You can open them from the Plugins page, or they activate automatically when relevant during a conversation.
### Skills work together
Computer can combine multiple skills to complete a complex task. For example, a research project might use the Research skill to gather information. Computer can then hand off to the Research Report skill to format findings, or to the Slides skill to create a presentation.
## Before you start
-
A plan that includes Perplexity Computer.
-
If you belong to an organization, permission from your administrator to upload or create skills.
-
To upload a skill, a `.md` file or a `.zip` file with `SKILL.md` at its root. See [File requirements](#h_9bb2e8e016).
-
If you don't see **Plugins** in the sidebar yet, use **Customize → Skills** instead.
## Creating your own skills
Computer includes built-in skills. If these don't match your workflow, you can create custom skills to tailor how Computer works. There are two ways to do this:
### Create with Computer
**1. Open the Plugins page in Computer**
**2. Select Add custom, then Create skill with Computer**
If you don't see Plugins yet, select **Customize → Skills → Create skill**, then **Create with Computer**.
**3. Describe the task you want the skill to handle — Computer helps you build the skill through a conversation**
You don't need to write any files.
### File requirements
-
Upload a `.zip` file with a `SKILL.md` file at the root level, or upload a `.md` file directly.
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`SKILL.md` must include a YAML frontmatter block with a `name` and `description`.
-
Maximum file size: 20 MB. A `.zip` can hold up to 100 files and must also be 20 MB or smaller once unzipped.
### Example `SKILL.md` format
```markdown theme={null}
---
name: weekly-summary
description: >-
Summarize the week's key events into a concise executive briefing. Use when
asked for a weekly summary, week-in-review, or status update.
---
## Instructions
1. Gather the most important events and updates from the past week
2. Organize by theme or priority
3. Write a concise summary with key takeaways
4. Include action items if applicable
```
### Tips for writing effective skills
-
The `description` field is critical — Computer uses it to decide when to activate the skill, so include keywords and trigger phrases (e.g., "Use when asked to create a presentation").
-
The `name` uses lowercase letters, numbers, and hyphens (e.g., `my-skill-2`), between 1 and 64 characters. It can't start or end with a hyphen or contain two hyphens in a row. The `description` can be up to 1,024 characters.
-
Include clear step-by-step instructions in the body of the file.
-
Add examples of expected inputs and outputs whenever possible.
### Upload a skill
To upload a skill file you already have:
**1. Open the Plugins page in Computer**
**2. Select Add custom, then Upload plugin or skill**
If you don't see Plugins yet, select **Customize → Skills → Create skill**, then **Upload skill**.
**3. Drag and drop your file or click to browse**
### How to verify it worked
A skill you create or upload appears on the **Installed** tab of the **Plugins** page. Open it to confirm the name and description are correct, since the description is what Computer matches against when it decides whether to activate the skill.
## Managing skills
### Browsing and searching
On the **Plugins** page, use the **Plugins**/**Skills** switch to show standalone skills.
- **Installed** — Skills you have installed.
- **Discover** — Browse skills to install.
Search finds skills by name or description across all tabs. See [Find, install, and remove plugins](https://www.perplexity.ai/help-center/help-center/en/articles/2026100702-find-install-and-remove-plugins.md) for the full walkthrough.
> [!NOTE]
>
> Workflows were replaced by skills on September 23, 2026. Skills that replaced a workflow were not installed automatically, and not every workflow was migrated. Install each skill you need from the **Plugins** page. If a workflow you relied on has no matching skill, [contact us via **Help > Contact Support**](https://www.perplexity.ai/?support=true#settings/account).
### Viewing skill details
Select a skill to open its details, including its name and description.
### Managing installed skills
Use the **Enabled** switch on the **Installed** tab to disable a skill without uninstalling it. **Uninstall** removes that skill copy everywhere, including inside plugins. The plugin stays installed; reinstall the skill to use it there again.
### Skills inside plugins
Installing a plugin installs its skills as copies that you manage for your account. Learn more in [What are plugins?](https://www.perplexity.ai/help-center/help-center/en/articles/2026100701-what-are-plugins.md).
## How skills work during a conversation
When you start a task in Perplexity Computer, relevant skills load automatically based on what you're asking for. Computer matches your request against each skill's description and follows the instructions of the skills that fit.
### Examples
-
Ask to "create a presentation about Q1 results" → The Slides skill activates.
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Request "a detailed analysis of renewable energy trends" → The Research skill activates.
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Say "show me a chart of monthly revenue" → The Chart skill activates.
Your custom skills work the same way. Once created, they're available in future conversations and will activate when their description matches what you're asking for.
## Need more help?
[Contact us via **Help > Contact Support**](https://www.perplexity.ai/?support=true#settings/account). Include the task link if your question is about a specific Computer task.
## Related topics
- [Computer](https://www.perplexity.ai/help-center/help-center/en/collections/18534886-computer.md)
- [What is a skill?](https://www.perplexity.ai/help-center/help-center/en/articles/2026102602-what-is-a-skill.md)
- [Deep Research and Model Council in Computer](https://www.perplexity.ai/help-center/help-center/en/articles/2026102603-deep-research-and-model-council-in-computer.md)
- [Computer for Enterprise](https://www.perplexity.ai/help-center/help-center/en/articles/13901210-computer-for-enterprise.md)