Import a skill

You can bring in a skill you already have: a folder on this computer, a .zip file, or an https link. DataMind Oda reads the source first and shows exactly what will be saved, and nothing is written until you install it. To add a skill by asking Oda in a chat instead, see Create and install skills.

Import a skill

Open Settings > Skills and choose Import. The toolbar around it is described in Skills in Settings.
Give the source in Folder, .zip file or link: a folder that holds a SKILL.md file, a .zip file that contains one, or an https link to a SKILL.md file, a .zip file or a GitHub folder. In the desktop app, Choose folder… and Choose .zip file… fill the field for you; where those pickers are not shown, type the path or the link.
If the source holds more than one skill, name the skill to take in Skill name (only when the source holds several skills). Leave the field empty otherwise.
Choose Preview. While Oda reads the source, the button reads Reading…; when it finishes, the dialog shows the details listed below.
If you already have a skill with the same name, tick Replace my existing skill named {name} to let the import replace it.
Choose Install. The button reads Installing… while the files are saved, and the dialog closes when the skill is written.

What the preview shows

Before anything is written, the preview lists:

the skill it found, shown as its /<name>;
the source it read, and where the skill will be saved;
the files it will save, one per line as path (size);
any entries it will skip, one per line as path (reason), such as setup.exe (file type not allowed);
the skill's SKILL.md, with the note Files are only saved, never run.

Important

An import saves files only; nothing in the skill runs at that moment. The skill's instructions take effect when a chat loads the skill, as Skills in chat describes.

Messages you may see

Message	What it means	What to do
`Enter a folder, a .zip file or an https link.`	The source field is empty, so the dialog cannot read anything yet.	Fill in a folder path, a `.zip` file path or an https link, or use the picker buttons in the desktop app.
`You already have a skill named {name}.`	A skill with that name is already in your skills folder, so the install waits for your confirmation before replacing it.	Tick Replace my existing skill named {name} to allow the install, or preview another source if you do not want to replace the skill.

Questions, answered

Why is Install disabled?

The preview found a skill with the same name in your skills folder. Install stays disabled until you tick Replace my existing skill named {name}. Choosing Preview again clears the tick, so tick the box again before installing.

If I tick Replace, is my old skill gone?

No. The version your skill had before the import is kept in the skill's history, so you can restore that version later; Skill versions and restore shows how.

Does importing a skill run it?

No. Importing only saves the files; the dialog's note reads Files are only saved, never run. Nothing in the skill runs at import time, and its instructions take effect only when a chat loads the skill.

Where does the imported skill go?

Into your skills folder, under the skill's name. The preview shows where it will be saved, and the install writes exactly the files the preview listed.

What is the Skill name field for?

It names the skill to take when the source holds several. Put the name in Skill name (only when the source holds several skills) before you choose Preview; when the source holds a single skill, leave the field empty.

What do the skipped entries in the preview mean?

The source holds items the import will not save, and each is listed with its reason, such as setup.exe (file type not allowed). They are left out of the install, so check the list before you install to know what the skill will contain.

I closed the dialog without installing. Was anything written?

No. Preview only reads the source; files are written to your skills folder only when you choose Install.

Where are the Choose folder… and Choose .zip file… buttons?

They appear in the desktop app, where they open your computer's pickers for you. Where they are not shown, type the path or the link into Folder, .zip file or link yourself.