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skill

The skill tool loads and injects specialized skill instructions into the conversation context. Skills provide detailed, step-by-step guidance for specific tasks like creating MCP servers, custom modes, or following standardized workflows.

Parameters​

The tool accepts these parameters:

  • skill (required): The name of the skill to load (e.g., create-mcp-server, create-mode). Must match a skill name from the available skills list.
  • args (optional): Additional context or arguments to pass to the skill for customization.

What It Does​

This tool retrieves skill instructions from the skills directory and loads them into the active conversation. Skills are pre-written instruction sets that guide Roo through complex, multi-step procedures. The tool is mode-aware, loading skills specific to the current mode when available.

When is it used?​

  • When executing specialized procedures that have standardized workflows
  • When creating MCP servers, custom modes, or other structured artifacts
  • When following documented best practices for specific task types
  • When you need to invoke expert knowledge for a particular domain
  • When the task matches a known skill pattern available in the system

Key Features​

  • Mode-aware skill resolution (loads mode-specific skills when available)
  • Supports project-level skill overrides (take precedence over global skills)
  • Progressive disclosure: linked files are not auto-loaded (explicit reads required)
  • Optional arguments for skill customization
  • Skills persist in context for the duration of the conversation
  • Provides structured, step-by-step guidance for complex tasks

How It Works​

When the skill tool is invoked, it follows this process:

  1. Skill Resolution: Searches for the named skill in:
    • Current mode's skill directory (e.g., .roo/skills-code/)
    • Project-level skills (override global skills)
    • Global skills directory
  2. Skill Loading: Loads the skill's main instruction file (typically SKILL.md).
  3. Context Injection: Injects skill instructions into conversation context.
  4. Linked Files: Files referenced in the skill are not automatically loaded; Roo must explicitly read them if needed.
  5. Execution: Roo follows the skill's instructions to complete the task.

Available Skills​

Skills are dynamically loaded based on the current mode and project configuration. Common skills include:

  • create-mcp-server: Guide for creating Model Context Protocol servers
  • create-mode: Guide for creating custom Roo Code modes
  • find-skills: Helps discover and install agent skills

To see available skills, check the skills list in the system prompt or ask Roo "what skills are available?"

Relation to Features​

The skill tool is the programmatic interface to the Skills feature. For comprehensive documentation on how skills work, how to create custom skills, and the skills system architecture, see the Skills feature documentation.

Example Usage​

Loading a skill to create an MCP server:

<skill>
  <skill>create-mcp-server</skill>
  <args>weather API integration</args>
</skill>

Loading a skill without additional context:

<skill>
  <skill>create-mode</skill>
</skill>