> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.browseract.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Skill System

> Understand the two-layer entry Skill and get-skills runtime model.

Browser-act uses a two-layer Skill model:

1. The **entry Skill** makes the agent aware that Browser-act exists.
2. The **`get-skills` runtime** returns current environment state, command guidance, and dynamic instructions.

## Install the entry Skill

Ask your agent:

```text theme={null}
Install the browser-act Skill from:
https://github.com/browser-act/skills/tree/main/browser-act
```

After installation, the agent can recognize Browser-act tasks and call `get-skills` before using the CLI.

## Two layers

<div style={{ display: "flex", justifyContent: "center" }}>
  ```mermaid theme={null}
  flowchart TD
    User["Browser task"] --> Entry["Entry Skill"]
    Entry --> Runtime["get-skills runtime"]
    Runtime --> State["Runtime state"]
    Runtime --> Rules["Safety rules"]
    Runtime --> Version["Version guidance"]
  ```
</div>

## Layer 1: entry Skill

The installed Skill file is intentionally small. It:

* triggers agent awareness
* contains activation language
* tells the agent to load runtime content through `get-skills`
* changes rarely

## Layer 2: `get-skills`

The first command for a Browser-act task should be:

```bash theme={null}
browser-act get-skills core --skill-version <version>
```

The output gives the agent:

* CLI and API key status
* available browsers and descriptions
* active sessions
* core command guidance
* dynamic instructions for the current environment

## Topics

<Columns cols={3}>
  <Card title="core" icon="route">
    `get-skills core --skill-version <v>` returns the core workflow, commands, browser state, and safety rules for most tasks.
  </Card>

  <Card title="advanced" icon="settings">
    `get-skills advanced` returns proxy, profile import, privacy mode, and advanced browser setup guidance.
  </Card>

  <Card title="main" icon="refresh-cw">
    `get-skills main` returns the latest Skill content when a version mismatch is detected.
  </Card>
</Columns>

## Progressive loading

> \[!TIP]
> Most tasks only need `get-skills core`. Load advanced topics only when the task requires them. This keeps the agent context focused and reduces irrelevant instructions.

## Version compatibility

The `--skill-version` parameter lets the CLI detect mismatches:

```bash theme={null}
browser-act get-skills core --skill-version 2.0.2
```

When versions are incompatible, the output includes direct upgrade guidance:

<Columns cols={2}>
  <Card title="CLI too old" icon="terminal">
    Run `uv tool upgrade browser-act-cli`.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Skill too old" icon="download">
    Run `browser-act get-skills main`.
  </Card>
</Columns>

## Dynamic instructions

`get-skills` adjusts guidance based on the current state:

| Situation                     | Instruction returned                                |
| ----------------------------- | --------------------------------------------------- |
| Multiple browsers exist       | Choose by `desc` match or ask the user              |
| Active sessions exist         | Respect session ownership and naming                |
| API key is missing            | Avoid stealth-only features or guide authentication |
| Sensitive browser is selected | Ask before opening a `confirm_before_use` browser   |

## Agent workflow

<div style={{ display: "flex", justifyContent: "center" }}>
  ```mermaid theme={null}
  flowchart TD
    Ask["User asks"] --> Activate["Skill activates"]
    Activate --> Load["Run get-skills"]
    Load --> Read["Read state"]
    Read --> Select["Select browser"]
    Select --> Confirm["Confirm if needed"]
    Confirm --> Run["Run commands"]
    Run --> Finish["Close session"]
  ```
</div>

## Agent compatibility

Browser-act can work with agents that can:

1. load Skill files
2. run shell commands
3. read text output

Known compatible environments include Claude Code, GitHub Copilot, Cursor, Windsurf, Gemini CLI, OpenCode, Codex, and similar agent runtimes.

## Learn more

<Columns cols={3}>
  <Card title="Quick Start" icon="rocket" href="/agent-cli/quick-start" cta="Run a loop">
    Run the first Browser-act automation loop.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Command Reference" icon="terminal" href="/agent-cli/command-reference" cta="Open index">
    Open the full command index.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Skill Forge" icon="hammer" href="/agent-cli/skill-forge" cta="Generate skills">
    Generate reusable task-specific skills.
  </Card>
</Columns>