1
What is a Skill?
A skill is a folder that teaches Cortex Code how to perform a specific workflow.
my-skill/
SKILL.md # Required: instructions + frontmatter
scripts/ # Optional: Python, Bash executables
references/ # Optional: docs loaded on demand
assets/ # Optional: templates, icons
Skill Locations
- Project —
.cortex/skills/
- Global —
~/.snowflake/cortex/skills/
- Remote — Git repos (auto-cached)
- Bundled — Ships with Cortex Code
Invoke a Skill
$skill-name do something specific
Type $ in the prompt for autocomplete. Manage skills with /skill interactive UI.
SKILL.md Format
---
name: snowflake-migration
description: "Migrate tables between schemas.
Use when: schema migration.
Triggers: migrate, move tables."
tools: ["snowflake_sql_execute", "bash"]
---
The description field drives auto-activation. Include trigger keywords.
2
How Skills Work
Skills use progressive disclosure to minimize token usage while maintaining deep expertise.
Progressive Disclosure
L1
YAML Frontmatter
Always in context — triggers auto-activation
L2
SKILL.md Body
Loaded when relevant — full workflow instructions
L3
Linked Files
On demand — references/, scripts/, sub-skills
Design Principles
| Composability |
Multiple skills load simultaneously. Design skills to work alongside others. |
| Portability |
Works across CoCo CLI and Claude Code via .claude/skills/ compatibility. |
| Conciseness |
Keep SKILL.md under 500 lines. Only add what the LLM doesn't already know. |
MCP + Skills = Full Stack
| MCP (Connectivity) |
Skills (Knowledge) |
| Connects to tools & services |
Teaches how to use them |
| What CoCo can do |
How CoCo should do it |
| Real-time data access |
Workflows & best practices |
3
Building & Using Skills
Use the built-in $skill-development skill to create, capture, and audit skills.
The Skill Creator
$skill-development create — Scaffold a new skill from scratch
$skill-development summarize — Turn a session into a reusable skill
$skill-development audit — Check a skill against best practices
Example: Complete Skill
---
name: snowflake-migration
description: "Migrate tables between schemas"
tools: ["snowflake_sql_execute", "bash"]
---
# Workflow
1. Discover source objects
2. Generate DDL
3. STOP — Get user approval
4. Execute migration
5. Validate row counts
6. STOP — Confirm results
STOP markers = mandatory user checkpoints before destructive actions.
Notable Bundled Skills
analyzing-data
streamlit
semantic-view
cortex-agent
machine-learning
data-governance
cost-management
dynamic-tables
lineage
authoring-dags
dbt-verify
trust-center