# Skills, tools, and prompts

Tools perform actions, skills describe reusable methods, and prompts save instructions you want to use again. They are complementary ways to make Gideon more useful.

## Tools perform the work
A tool may read a file, query a service, or make a change. Its availability depends on the installed app, permissions, and task mode. Inspect the action when an approval is requested.

## Skills capture a method
Open **Skills** to review available methods. Start with an approach that has worked on a real task. Describe when it should apply, the steps, and how to check the result. Do not store credentials in skill text.

## Prompts save a starting point
Open **Prompts** for reusable briefs. A saved prompt is useful when you repeat a request with different source material. In chat, the leading @ menu can suggest saved prompts; supply the values a prompt expects.

> **Try this**
> Turn this successful review process into a reusable method. Include when to use it, required inputs, the review steps, and the evidence needed before calling the result complete. Present it for review.

## Keep reusable material current
Review instructions after the connected service or workflow changes. Remove obsolete assumptions. A skill is guidance for the agent; it does not grant access that a tool or app lacks.

Use [Learning](/docs/capabilities/learning-and-growth) to review proposed changes and their supporting evidence.