Reinventing.AI
AI Agent InsightsBy Reinventing.AI
OpenClaw Guides

Creating Custom Skills

Extend OpenClaw with custom skills tailored to your workflow. From simple scripts to complex automation, make your AI assistant truly yours.

What Are Skills?

Skills are packages that extend OpenClaw's capabilities. They can include:

  • Scripts — Shell scripts, Python programs, or Node.js modules
  • Instructions — SKILL.md files that guide the AI on how to use tools
  • References — API documentation, examples, best practices
  • Assets — Templates, configuration files, datasets

Skill Types

Bundled

Built-in skills that ship with OpenClaw (weather, GitHub, tmux)

Managed

Installable skills from ClawHub or npm packages

Workspace

Your custom skills stored in your workspace directory

Creating a Simple Skill

Let's create a skill that checks crypto prices.

Step 1: Create the Skill Directory

cd ~/.openclaw/workspace/skillsmkdir crypto-prices

Step 2: Write SKILL.md

Create crypto-prices/SKILL.md:

# Crypto Prices Skill

This skill checks current cryptocurrency prices using the CoinGecko API.

## Usage

When the user asks about crypto prices, use the `get-crypto-price.sh` script.

## Examples

- "What's the price of Bitcoin?"
- "Check ETH price"
- "How much is Solana worth?"

## How to Use

Run: `./get-crypto-price.sh [coin-id]`

Where coin-id is: bitcoin, ethereum, solana, etc.

Step 3: Create the Script

Create crypto-prices/get-crypto-price.sh:

#!/bin/bash
COIN_ID=${1:-bitcoin}
curl -s "https://api.coingecko.com/api/v3/simple/price?ids=${COIN_ID}&vs_currencies=usd" \
  | jq -r ".${COIN_ID}.usd"
chmod +x crypto-prices/get-crypto-price.sh

Step 4: Test the Skill

Ask OpenClaw:

You:

"What's the price of Bitcoin?"

OpenClaw:

"Bitcoin is currently $67,234 USD."

Advanced: Skills with Multiple Tools

Skills can include multiple scripts, Python programs, and documentation files.

crypto-prices/
├── SKILL.md
├── get-crypto-price.sh
├── compare-prices.py
├── historical-data.js
└── references/
    └── coingecko-api.md

Using External APIs

Skills can interact with any API. Store API keys securely in environment variables or config files.

💡 Pro Tip:

Store API keys in ~/.openclaw/.env and reference them in your scripts.

Publishing Your Skill

Share your skills with the community:

  1. Create a GitHub repository for your skill
  2. Include a comprehensive SKILL.md
  3. Add installation instructions
  4. Submit to ClawHub

Skill Best Practices

Clear Documentation

Write detailed SKILL.md files with examples. The AI reads these to understand how to use your tools.

Error Handling

Scripts should return meaningful errors. Use exit codes and stderr for diagnostics.

Dependencies

Document any external dependencies (jq, Python packages, etc.) in SKILL.md.

Next Steps