skill-usage

name	skill-usage
description	How to discover, load, and effectively use skills to solve SkillBench tasks.

Skill Usage Guide

Skills are modular instruction packages placed in the container to help you solve tasks. Using them effectively is the single most important factor for success.

Skill locations

Skills are copied to multiple well-known paths inside the container:

• /root/.agents/skills/
• /root/.claude/skills/
• /root/.codex/skills/

All paths contain the same skills. Use whichever is available.

Skill structure

Each skill is a folder:

skill-name/
├── SKILL.md        # Main instructions (YAML frontmatter + markdown body)
├── scripts/        # Optional helper scripts (Python, Bash)
└── references/     # Optional reference documentation

How to use skills

1. Always list skills first — call list_skills at the start of every task
2. Load relevant skills — if a skill name matches the task domain, call load_skill with the skill name
3. Follow skill instructions — skills contain domain-specific procedures, parameter values, or code patterns that are essential
4. Run helper scripts — if the skill has scripts/, execute them (they often automate tedious steps)
5. Consult references — check references/ for API docs or formula sheets

Common skill patterns

• Data format skills (e.g., xlsx, csv): Teach how to read/write specific formats
• Domain skills (e.g., pid-control, seismic): Contain domain formulas and constants
• Tool skills (e.g., libreoffice, ffmpeg): Show correct CLI flags and workflows
• Framework skills (e.g., react, spring-boot): Guide migration or debugging patterns

Anti-patterns

• Do NOT ignore skills — they exist specifically for the task at hand
• Do NOT reinvent what a skill script already automates
• Do NOT skip reading the full SKILL.md — summaries miss critical details