OpenCode: OpenCode Skills System
Last updated: 2026-08-31
--- title: OpenCode Skills and Usage description: Learn the Skills system with predefined specialized workflow capabilities order: 18 lang: en
Skills are OpenCode's predefined ability system, providing AI with specialized workflows and knowledge.
1. What You Will Learn
- Skills concept and positioning
- Built-in Skills list
- Skills loading and usage
- Custom Skills development
2. What are Skills
Skills are predefined prompt templates + workflows + knowledge bases that give AI specialized capabilities in specific domains.
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| On-demand loading | Not pre-loaded, triggered by keywords |
| Templated | Standardized workflows |
| Reusable | One Skill works across multiple projects |
| Extensible | Develop custom Skills |
3. Skills Trigger Mechanism
| Trigger Keywords | Loaded Skill |
|---|---|
| "new feature", "develop", "module" | brainstorming |
| "error", "failed", "bug", "exception" | systematic-debugging |
| After plan approval | writing-plans |
| "done", "fixed", "completed" | verification-before-completion |
| Script writing, logic changes | test-driven-development |
| Before commit | requesting-code-review |
| Batch translation, multi-language | subagent-driven-development |
4. Core Skills
| Skill | Purpose |
|---|---|
| brainstorming | Explore intent, needs, and design before creative work |
| writing-plans | Convert specs into step-by-step implementation plans |
| executing-plans | Execute plans step by step without deviation |
| systematic-debugging | Understand root cause before fixing—don't guess |
| test-driven-development | Write failing test → minimal impl → pass (RED-GREEN-REFACTOR) |
| verification-before-completion | Run verification before claiming done—evidence before assertion |
| requesting-code-review | Pre-commit security scan + quality gate + auto-fix |
| subagent-driven-development | Dispatch sub-agents for parallel batch tasks |
5. Custom Skills
Skills directory: ~/.config/opencode/skills/ (global) or .opencode/skills/ (project)
Each Skill is a Markdown file with frontmatter defining name, description, and triggers, plus body content with the workflow instructions.
❓ FAQ
Q Are Skills auto-loaded?
A No. Skills load on-demand when task keywords match. This saves tokens.
Q Skills vs AGENTS.md?
A AGENTS.md is project rules (what not to do); Skills are workflows (how to do specific tasks). They complement each other.
📖 Summary
- Skills are predefined specialized workflows
- On-demand loading via keyword triggers
- Core skills: brainstorming, debugging, TDD, verification, etc.
- Supports custom Skills development
- Complements AGENTS.md: rules + workflows
📝 Exercises
-
Basic: Trigger the brainstorming Skill in TUI and experience structured brainstorming.
-
Intermediate: Trigger systematic-debugging Skill to debug a bug systematically.
-
Advanced: Develop a custom Skill defining your team's code review workflow.
