Three different things called a skills marketplace
Search results often mix three discovery models. They overlap, but they do not provide the same installation path or trust signal.
| Surface | What it does | Best use |
|---|---|---|
| Claude's official directory | Browses supported skills, connectors, and plugins inside Claude and Claude Desktop | Install supported packages through the product interface |
| Claude Code plugin marketplace | Adds a repository as a package source, then installs a plugin containing extensions | Distribute skills, agents, hooks, or MCP setup to Claude Code |
| Independent skills directory | Maps public repositories by source, exact folder, maintenance, license, platform, and use case | Research and compare candidates before following the original install path |
How to browse the official Claude directory
- Open Claude or Claude Desktop.
- Open Customize.
- Select Skills.
- Use the plus control and choose Browse skills.
- Open a listing, review its source and capabilities, and install it.
- Confirm the skill is enabled before starting a matching task.
Anthropic describes this as one directory for skills, connectors, and plugins. Installed skills are read-only and enabled by default, while custom skill uploads and organization controls remain separate. Check the current official directory guide because access and controls can change.
How Claude Code marketplaces install skills
Claude Code uses a two-stage model: add a marketplace source, then install a plugin from that source. Anthropic's public skills repository currently documents:
/plugin marketplace add anthropics/skills
/plugin install document-skills@anthropic-agent-skillsThe installed plugin contains skills. It may also contain other extension types, which is why marketplace, plugin, and skill are not interchangeable terms. Read Claude Skills vs Plugins before packaging or installing a broad bundle.
What an independent directory adds
Easy installation does not answer whether a public repository is maintained, whether the exact skill folder exists, or whether a license applies. Agent Skill Picks checks public signals before a profile can enter the index:
- a canonical source repository and exact folder;
- a detected `SKILL.md` at that path;
- a usable license signal;
- recent repository maintenance and no archive flag;
- creator, platform, category, and use-case evidence;
- sufficient value and confidence scores under the published rules.
These are source checks, not a hands-on rating. The Claude Skills ecosystem report shows the current pass rate and distribution, while the methodology explains every gate.
Pre-install checklist
| Check | Question to answer | Stop when |
|---|---|---|
| Identity | Who owns the source and exact folder? | The listing cannot resolve to a stable source |
| Instructions | What does `SKILL.md` tell Claude to do? | The behavior is broader than the listing claims |
| Execution | Which scripts, packages, and shell commands can run? | Unreviewed code requests sensitive access |
| Network | Which services, URLs, or credentials can it use? | Data can leave the expected boundary |
| Maintenance | Is the source active and unarchived? | Setup depends on stale or missing files |
| License | Can you legally use and redistribute it? | No applicable license can be verified |
| Test | Does a low-risk example improve the workflow? | The skill adds complexity without repeatable value |
Where to start
Claude Skills Directory
Browse candidates that currently pass the public source and maintenance gates.
Setup guideHow to Use Claude Skills
Install, activate, verify, and troubleshoot skills across Claude surfaces.
Claude CodeClaude Code Skills
Learn folder locations, plugin installation, activation, and practical examples.
Primary sources
- Anthropic: Browse skills, connectors, and plugins
- Anthropic: Use skills in Claude
- Anthropic: Use plugins in Claude
- Anthropic public skills repository
FAQ
Is there an official Claude Skills marketplace?
Anthropic provides a unified directory in Claude and Claude Desktop for browsing skills, connectors, and plugins. Claude Code also supports plugin marketplaces, including Anthropic's public skills repository.
Where do I browse Skills in Claude?
Open Claude or Claude Desktop, choose Customize, select Skills, use the plus control, and choose Browse skills. Organization policies and plan availability can affect what you can install.
Is Agent Skill Picks the official Anthropic marketplace?
No. Agent Skill Picks is an independent directory that checks public source paths, licenses, maintenance, platform evidence, and SKILL.md availability. Installation remains with the original source or supported Claude interface.
Can a Claude Code plugin contain skills?
Yes. A plugin can package one or more skills along with agents, hooks, MCP configuration, and other extensions. The marketplace distributes the plugin; the contained skill supplies the workflow.
How should I evaluate a community skill?
Verify the exact source folder, read SKILL.md and any scripts, check license and recent maintenance, inspect network or dependency instructions, and run a non-sensitive test before broader use.