Skills are on-demand reference materials that allow you to provide Tines 3B with specialized instructions, ensuring it has the expert guidance it needs to tackle complex or domain-specific tasks. Think of a skill as a custom guidebook you write for Tines 3B. By giving it clear, focused documentation, you ensure it understands exactly how to handle your unique requirements.
When you create a skill, you are teaching 3B how to think about a specific process. Tines 3B then uses these instructions as a foundation to complete your task accurately and consistently.
Learn how to create a skill here.
The anatomy of a skill
Every skill is built using three simple components:
Name: The identifier for the Skill.
Description: This acts as the "trigger." It tells Tines 3B exactly when it should use this Skill. A precise description is the most important part of ensuring Tines 3B selects the right tool for the job.
Instructions: This is the core reference material. It is formatted in Markdown and contains the specific guidance, rules, or steps Tines 3B should follow.
Best practices for skills
To get the most out of your skills, keep these tips in mind:
Be specific with triggers: When writing your description, be concrete about when the Skill should be used. Don't be afraid to be "pushy" - if you want Tines 3B to use it for data visualization, mention it clearly in the description.
Keep instructions focused: Only include information Tines 3B cannot already infer on its own. Use an imperative tone (e.g., "Always format dates as YYYY-MM-DD") and provide concrete examples of the expected input and output.
Iterate and test: The best skills are refined over time. Create a few test prompts that you expect the skill to handle, and if Tines 3B struggles, go back to your instructions to tighten them up.
Markdown is key: Keep your instructions clean and in Markdown format. Avoid trying to attach code files or scripts; instead, explain the approach and let Tines 3B generate the code for you within your workflow.