--- parser: v2 auto_validation: true time: 15 tags: [ tutorial>beginner, topic>artificial-intelligence ] primary_tag: topic>artificial-intelligence author_name: Nora von Thenen author_profile: https://github.com/noravth slug: ai-skills-library canonical_url: https://developers.sap.com/tutorials/ai-skills-library --- # Get Started with the AI Skills Library ## You will learn - What the AI Skills Library is - How to browse and find skills, plugins and MCP servers - How to install a skill in your environment (Joule Work, Joule Work Desktop, or CLI) - How to create your own skill and submit it to the library ## Prerequisites - A browser to access [skills.cloud.sap](https://skills.cloud.sap/) - For Joule Work Desktop installation: Joule Work Desktop installed locally (not GA yet) - For CLI installation: Node.js installed and a terminal (e.g. Claude Code) - A public GitHub account (for contributing a skill) > Important note! Joule Work and Joule Work Desktop are not GA (General Availability) yet. They are currently available only to EAC (Early Adopter Care) customers. --- ### What Is the AI Skills Library? The [AI Skills Library](https://skills.cloud.sap/) is a public catalog of reusable AI skills and related components that you can browse, install, and contribute to. It is built on an open, bring-your-own-repository model — anyone can publish a skill, and the platform surfaces it alongside SAP's own certified content. The library contains four types of items: | Type | Description | |---|---| | **Skill** | A markdown file that teaches an AI assistant how to perform a specific, repeatable task | | **Plugin** | A bundle that combines multiple skills with one or more MCP servers | | **MCP Server** | A tool server that gives AI assistants access to external data or actions (files, APIs, services) | | **Marketplace** | A curated collection of skills and plugins grouped around a product or domain | Each item carries a **trust level** that tells you who is behind it: - **SAP Certified** — developed and maintained by SAP - **Partner Verified** — published by a verified SAP partner - **Community** — contributed by the broader developer and business-user community Skills work across AI environments that support the installation methods described below. Including Joule Work, Joule Work Desktop, and local AI coding assistants such as Claude Code. --- ### Browse the Skills Library 1. Open [skills.cloud.sap](https://skills.cloud.sap/) in your browser. ![AI Skills Library homepage showing the search bar and filter buttons](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/sap-tutorials/Tutorials/master/tutorials/ai-skills-library/images/skills-library-homepage.png) 2. Use the **search bar** to find skills by name, description, tag, or author. 3. Narrow the results with the filter buttons: - **Classification** — choose *Platform* (development, DevOps, security) or *Business* (finance, HR, procurement) - **Publisher** — choose *SAP* or *Third-Party* ![Filter buttons for Classification and Publisher](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/sap-tutorials/Tutorials/master/tutorials/ai-skills-library/images/skills-library-filters.png) 4. Toggle between grid and list view using the icon in the toolbar. 5. Click any item to open its detail page. You will see: - Author, category, trust level, tags, and license - Links to the source repository - Related agents, MCP servers, API resources, and packages ![Skill detail page showing metadata, trust level, and install options](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/sap-tutorials/Tutorials/master/tutorials/ai-skills-library/images/skills-library-detail-page.png) Take a moment to explore a few skills and notice how each one describes a concrete, repeatable workflow. --- ### Install a Skill Installation options depend on which environment you are working in. Each skill's detail page shows the available methods. #### Option A — Joule Work Desktop 1. On the skill's detail page, click **Add to Joule Work Desktop**. ![Add to Joule Work Desktop button on the skill detail page](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/sap-tutorials/Tutorials/master/tutorials/ai-skills-library/images/install-joule-work-desktop-button.png) 2. A deep link opens Joule Work Desktop and installs the skill locally. ![Add to Joule Work Desktop](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/sap-tutorials/Tutorials/master/tutorials/ai-skills-library/images/install-joule-work-desktop.png) 3. The skill is now available in your local Joule desktop application. #### Option B - **Add to Joule Work Web** - Coming soon #### Option C — CLI (npx) Use this option when working with a local AI coding assistant such as Claude Code. 1. On the skill's detail page, copy the **npx** command. It looks similar to this: ```bash npx -y @sap/skill-install ``` ![npx install command shown on the skill detail page](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/sap-tutorials/Tutorials/master/tutorials/ai-skills-library/images/install-joule-work-desktop-button.png) 2. Open your terminal and run the command. 3. The skill is installed into your local environment and is ready to use. --- ### Create Your Own Skill A skill lives in a public GitHub repository under a specific folder structure. The AI Skills Library does not host your code but it points to your repository. #### 1. Structure your repository Create the following layout in your public GitHub repository: ``` your-repo/ └── skills/ └── / └── SKILL.md ``` Replace `` with a short, lowercase, hyphenated name for your skill (for example, `summarize-meeting-notes`). #### 2. Write your SKILL.md The `SKILL.md` file must include at minimum a `name` and `description` at the top: ``` name: Summarize Meeting Notes description: Extracts action items, decisions, and open questions from raw meeting notes. Instructions Given a block of meeting notes, identify and return: - **Action items** — who is responsible and by when - **Decisions made** — what was agreed - **Open questions** — what still needs to be resolved Keep the output concise and structured. ``` Add author and license information somewhere in your repository — a `README.md`, `LICENSE` file, or `package.json` all work. #### 3. Test your skill locally Before submitting, install your skill locally using the CLI method and verify it behaves as expected in your AI assistant. --- ### Submit Your Skill to the Library The AI Skills Library uses a **bring-your-own-repo** model. You keep your skill in your own GitHub repository and register it with the platform. 1. Make sure your repository is **public on github.com** and follows the folder structure from the previous step. 2. Open a **Register a New Skill** issue in the AI Skills Library repository (the link is available on the [documentation page](https://skills.cloud.sap/)). ![GitHub issue template for registering a new skill](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/sap-tutorials/Tutorials/master/tutorials/ai-skills-library/images/submit-registration-issue.png) 3. A maintainer reviews your submission and onboards your repository. Once approved, your skill appears in the catalog with a **Community** trust level. For updates to an existing skill, edit your own repository directly — the catalog reflects your latest published content. --- ## What's Next? - **Explore the catalog** — [skills.cloud.sap](https://skills.cloud.sap/) is growing. Check back regularly for new community contributions. - **Join the conversation** — Ask questions and share ideas on [SAP Community](https://community.sap.com/). - **Build a plugin** — Once you have a skill working, consider bundling it with an MCP server into a plugin to share richer functionality. - **For more information**: Check out [this blog post](https://community.sap.com/)!