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A Codex skill is a reusable set of instructions for a task you want Codex to handle consistently. It centers on a SKILL.md file and can include supporting references, templates, scripts, or other assets. To make one, define a repeatable task, explain when the skill applies, write its workflow and boundaries, place it where your Codex setup can discover it, and test both suitable and unsuitable requests.
What a Codex skill is—and what it is not
A skill packages workflow guidance for a recognizable, recurring goal. It can tell Codex what inputs to expect, which steps to follow, when to use tools, how to handle missing information, and what the final output should contain. It provides instructions; it does not replace Codex or supply tools by itself. OpenAI describes skills as reusable instructions that can include supporting resources (OpenAI Developers: Skills).
A skill is also distinct from an MCP server. An MCP server can provide live information and controlled actions; a skill can guide the workflow around those tools, such as when to call them and how to respond to incomplete results. A skill may guide a workflow that uses MCP, or work without a server if packaged instructions and resources are enough (OpenAI Developers: Skills – Plugins).
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What goes in a SKILL.md file?
At minimum, a skill folder needs a SKILL.md file with YAML front matter containing a name and description, followed by Markdown instructions. The name identifies the skill; the description should say what it does and when Codex should consider using it. Keep the detailed procedure in the body rather than trying to fit it into the description.
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Supporting files are optional. Add references for background material, assets for reusable templates or files, and scripts when deterministic processing is useful. Keep the main instructions focused and link to supporting resources where they become relevant. OpenAI’s Build skills guide recommends describing both the workflow and the conditions that should trigger it.
How to create a useful Codex skill
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Choose one recurring task
Pick work with a repeatable sequence, output format, or set of important guardrails. Keep the scope narrow enough that the skill represents one recognizable user goal, rather than a collection of unrelated tasks.
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Write a clear trigger description
Use a concise name and a description that identifies the task and the conditions for using the skill. Discovery depends in part on this metadata, so make it specific enough to distinguish the intended task from nearby requests.
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Define the workflow and boundaries
In
SKILL.md, state expected inputs, the steps to follow, the desired output, and what Codex must not infer. Explain what to do when information is missing or ambiguous, including when to ask a follow-up question or stop. Keep the directions focused on decisions that change the result.Rank #3
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- Smartly Plan Ahead & Boost Your Productivity: Absolutely clever & efficient! With the to do list notebook / notepad you can break down your daily tasks into half-hourly focus blocks and map out priorities & follow-up duties to keep your day on track and enhance productivity
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Add supporting resources only if they help
Use a reference for detailed background, an asset for reusable material, or a script for deterministic computation or file processing. If the task is straightforward to explain and perform through instructions, a script is not required.
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Put the skill in a discoverable location
OpenAI’s Codex evaluation article documents
.codex/skills/<skill-name>/SKILL.mdas a repository-scoped example and~/.codex/skills/<skill-name>/SKILL.mdas a user-scoped example (Testing Agent Skills Systematically with Evals). A repository-scoped location suits a workflow tied to one project; a user-scoped location is intended for personal use across projects. These are documented examples, not a guarantee that every Codex surface discovers skills identically; check the instructions for the product and workspace you use.Rank #4
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- Smartly Plan Ahead & Boost Your Productivity: Absolutely clever & efficient! With the planner notebook you can break down your daily tasks into half-hourly focus blocks and map out priorities & follow-up duties to keep your day on track and enhance productivity
- Plenty Of Space For Efficient Planning: Stay focused & manage your time wisely! The 9.3x6.3” (inner pages) work planner & organizer notebook offers ample space for 80 days of life-changing planning with each day being spread across 2 pages - set yourself up for purposeful days
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Test both activation and results
Try a direct request and a natural, indirect request that should activate the skill. Also try incomplete input, a nearby request that should not activate it, and edge cases where it should avoid unsupported actions. Evaluate two separate things: whether Codex selected the skill when appropriate, and whether the resulting work met concrete quality checks. OpenAI’s evaluation guidance covers systematic testing of skill behavior.
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How do you decide whether a skill needs scripts?
| Approach | Best fit | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| Instruction-only | The workflow can be followed reliably as a sequence of decisions and steps. | Flexible, but Codex must carry out the described process. |
| Script-backed | A step requires deterministic computation or repeatable file processing. | Can make that operation more consistent, but adds a script that must be maintained. |
Scripts are optional, not a requirement for a valid skill. Start with instructions, then add automation only where it provides a concrete benefit (Build skills).
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- Smartly Plan Ahead & Boost Your Productivity: Absolutely clever & efficient! With the planner notebook you can break down your daily tasks into half-hourly focus blocks and map out priorities & follow-up duties to keep your day on track and enhance productivity
- Plenty Of Space For Efficient Planning: Stay focused & manage your time wisely! The 9.3x6.3” (inner pages) work planner & organizer notebook offers ample space for 80 days of life-changing planning with each day being spread across 2 pages - set yourself up for purposeful days
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How skills fit into different OpenAI products
Do not assume that a skill’s setup or availability is identical across Codex, ChatGPT, and API contexts. OpenAI documents skills across multiple product surfaces, while setup and access depend on the product and configuration. For example, the Help Center’s eligibility and workspace-setting details apply to skills in ChatGPT, not as universal Codex account rules (OpenAI Help Center: Skills in ChatGPT). Check the current instructions for the specific surface you plan to use.
Because skills can influence planning, tool use, and command execution, inspect their instructions and supporting resources when they involve tools or network access. OpenAI’s Skills guide also cautions readers to account for untrusted instructions.
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