| # Activate skill tool (`activate_skill`) |
| |
| The `activate_skill` tool lets Gemini CLI load specialized procedural expertise |
| and resources when they are relevant to your request. |
|
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| ## Description |
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| Skills are packages of instructions and tools designed for specific engineering |
| tasks, such as reviewing code or creating pull requests. Gemini CLI uses this |
| tool to "activate" a skill, which provides it with detailed guidelines and |
| specialized tools tailored to that task. |
|
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| ### Arguments |
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| `activate_skill` takes one argument: |
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| - `name` (enum, required): The name of the skill to activate (for example, |
| `code-reviewer`, `pr-creator`, or `docs-writer`). |
|
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| ## Usage |
|
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| The `activate_skill` tool is used exclusively by the Gemini agent. You cannot |
| invoke this tool manually. |
|
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| When the agent identifies that a task matches a discovered skill, it requests to |
| activate that skill. Once activated, the agent's behavior is guided by the |
| skill's specific instructions until the task is complete. |
|
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| ## Behavior |
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| The agent uses this tool to provide professional-grade assistance: |
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| - **Specialized logic:** Skills contain expert-level procedures for complex |
| workflows. |
| - **Dynamic capability:** Activating a skill can grant the agent access to new, |
| task-specific tools. |
| - **Contextual awareness:** Skills help the agent focus on the most relevant |
| standards and conventions for a particular task. |
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| ## Next steps |
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| - Learn how to [Use Agent Skills](../cli/skills.md). |
| - See the [Build agent skills](../cli/creating-skills.md) guide. |
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|
