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Skills in OpenAI API

sourceSimon Willison
calendar_todayFebruary 11, 2026
schedule1 min read
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Unlocking the Power of Skills in OpenAI API for Enhanced AI Functionality

Summary

OpenAI's integration of Skills into its API allows developers to utilize advanced functionalities directly within their applications. This report highlights the new capabilities and practical applications of Skills through the OpenAI API.

Key Points

  • OpenAI has introduced Skills in its API, enhancing its usability for developers.
  • Skills can be uploaded as zip files or sent inline as base64-encoded data in JSON requests.
  • Example script demonstrates the use of the 'wc' skill to count words in a file.
  • The model used in the example is "gpt-5.2".
  • Skills can be used in a shell environment with container auto-configuration.
  • The article references the use of the Showboat tool for exploring the API.
  • Developers can fetch documentation using curl for practical implementation.

Analysis

The introduction of Skills in the OpenAI API represents a significant advancement in AI-assisted programming, enabling developers to create more sophisticated applications with ease. By allowing inline skill integration, OpenAI enhances the flexibility and efficiency of API usage, making it a valuable tool for IT professionals.

Conclusion

IT professionals should explore the Skills feature in the OpenAI API to leverage its capabilities for developing innovative applications. Utilizing the inline skill functionality can streamline workflows and enhance productivity in AI-driven projects.