> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.stackai.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.stackai.com/stackai-tools/skill-management/get-skill.md).

# Get Skill

Read a skill’s instructions, allowed actions, and supporting-file information before using or changing it.

## Inspect a skill

1. Select **Skill ID** from your organization’s skills or pass a returned ID.
2. Leave **Version** empty for the current version, or enter a version number to read its historical content.
3. Run the tool. Read **Instructions**, **Actions**, and **Files**, and check **Version** and **Is Builtin**.

**Result:** The output contains the requested version’s instructions and supporting-file metadata.

## Behavior and troubleshooting

Reading a skill does not execute it or attach it to an agent. **Files** lists metadata, not the full contents of every file. Built-in skills cannot be edited.

## Inputs

| Field               | Parameter  | Description                                                                                       |
| ------------------- | ---------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Skill ID (required) | `skill_id` | The skill to read. Pick one from your organization's skills, or enter an ID or variable manually. |
| Version             | `version`  | Leave empty for the current version, or set a version number to read a historical one.            |

## Outputs

| Field        | Parameter      | Description                                                                       |
| ------------ | -------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Summary      | `summary`      | One-line summary of the skill.                                                    |
| Skill ID     | `skill_id`     | The skill's unique identifier.                                                    |
| Name         | `name`         | The skill's name.                                                                 |
| Description  | `description`  | The skill's description.                                                          |
| Version      | `version`      | The version that was read.                                                        |
| Is Builtin   | `is_builtin`   | Whether the skill is a read-only builtin.                                         |
| Actions      | `actions`      | Action refs the skill is allowed to use.                                          |
| Instructions | `instructions` | The SKILL.md body.                                                                |
| Frontmatter  | `frontmatter`  | The parsed SKILL.md frontmatter.                                                  |
| Files        | `files`        | The bundle's file manifest (metadata only).                                       |
| Created At   | `created_at`   | Creation time as a POSIX timestamp in milliseconds.                               |
| Created By   | `created_by`   | Who published this version. Only set when a version was read.                     |
| Updated At   | `updated_at`   | Last update time as a POSIX timestamp. Only set when reading the current version. |

## Related guidance

[Skill Instructions, Files, and Action References](/technical-reference/models-agents-and-skills/skill-instructions-files-and-action-references.md)


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