OpenAI tests ChatGPT Skills feature to simplify multi-step tasks with slash commands

OpenAI Tests ChatGPT Skills Feature for Streamlined Workflows

OpenAI is testing a new ChatGPT Skills feature that could transform how users interact with AI chatbots by eliminating the need to repeatedly write complex prompts1

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. The feature mirrors Claude-like Skills introduced by Anthropic, offering users a way to create reusable prompts and instructions that can be activated with simple slash commands2

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. According to Tibor Blaho, Lead Engineer at AIRPM, the new capability is internally codenamed hazelnuts and was spotted in development code4

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How ChatGPT Skills Differ From Existing GPTs

While ChatGPT currently supports custom GPTs that are prompt-engineered to meet specific needs, Skills represent a different approach to handling multi-step tasks3

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. Claude Skills are folder-based instructions that teach Claude AI specific abilities, workflows, and domain knowledge. Anthropic describes Skills as composable, allowing them to stack and be coordinated automatically by the AI chatbots3

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. They are portable, maintaining a consistent format across Claude applications, and efficient by loading only necessary components on demand. OpenAI is planning to add a Skills editor tool that lets users revisit created skills and edit or update them as needed4

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. Critically, the feature will include an option to convert custom GPTs into skills, addressing a key limitation where GPTs only operate in fixed chat sessions4

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Agent Skills Built on Open Standard for Cross-Platform Compatibility

OpenAI's Skills feature is built on the agentskills.io standard, which Anthropic recently introduced as an open standard tool4

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. OpenAI added support for Agent skills in ChatGPT Codex, its AI-powered coding agent for developers2

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. This open-standard approach means these skills will work across other AI chatbots such as Claude, Copilot, and Gemini, offering cross-platform compatibility that extends beyond OpenAI's ecosystem2

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. Users can create Skills using natural language prompts without any technical or coding knowledge, making them accessible to a broader audience2

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Practical Applications to Program Repeat Tasks

The ChatGPT Skills feature addresses one of the biggest challenges with using AI chatbots: the need to repeatedly input the same custom instructions across different chat sessions2

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. For instance, users who rely on ChatGPT for research can create a skill with specific instructions to look up peer-reviewed journals, find the most cited papers, and summarize core findings as bullet points2

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. Once created, users can summon the skill by typing a forward slash followed by the shortcut they've created, such as "/research Manhattan Project"4

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. This intuitive approach saves valuable time and makes the process of handling domain knowledge more efficient.

Expected Release Timeline and What to Watch

While OpenAI has not officially announced the feature or confirmed its existence, a January 2026 release is anticipated based on development patterns1

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. The rollout timeline remains unconfirmed, and experts recommend taking this information cautiously until the company officially unveils Skills in ChatGPT4

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. The addition of Skills could mark a significant shift in how users interact with ChatGPT, moving from single-use prompts to reusable, stackable instructions that handle complex workflows more effectively. As AI chatbots compete for user attention, the ability to create portable, efficient skills that work across platforms may become a deciding factor in which tools professionals choose for their daily work.🟡 familiarity=🟡I have successfully placed the relevant images into the summary according to the specified rules.

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