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

# Rules & Skills

> Teach the AI assistant standing guidance (rules) and reusable procedures you can run as /commands (skills).

## Overview

Rules and Skills let you shape how the Custral assistant (⌘I) works in your
workspace. A **rule** is standing guidance the assistant must follow on every
run, your workspace's style guide for the AI. A **skill** is a reusable
procedure the assistant loads on demand; give a skill a **command trigger**
(like `/qualify-lead`) and you can run it directly from the assistant's
composer.

## How it works

* **Rules** are injected into every assistant run. A rule can be **global**
  (always applies) or scoped to an **object** or **page**, in which case it
  applies only when that object or page is in the assistant's context.
  Higher-priority rules are listed first.
* **Skills** appear in the assistant's catalog by name and description; the
  assistant loads the full instructions only when a skill is relevant
  (or when you invoke its `/command` explicitly. Then it's loaded every time).
* Connected providers can also contribute read-only rules and skills
  automatically; they appear alongside your own with a provider badge.

## Using it

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open Settings → AI → Rules & Skills">
    Both tabs live on one page: **Rules** and **Skills**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Create a rule">
    Give it a name and write the rule as an instruction (e.g. "When drafting
    customer-facing text, match the customer's language"). Pick a scope (global,
    or tied to a specific object/page) and save.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Create a skill">
    Describe **when** the assistant should reach for it (the description) and
    **what to do** (the instructions). Add a command trigger like
    `/qualify-lead` to make it invocable directly.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Run a command">
    In the assistant (⌘I), type <kbd>/</kbd> to open the command palette,
    pick your command, add any details, and send.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Troubleshooting

* **My `/command` doesn't show in the palette**: check the skill is
  **Enabled** and actually has a command trigger set. The palette only lists
  skills with triggers.
* **The assistant ignores a rule**: confirm the rule is enabled, and check
  its scope: an object- or page-scoped rule only applies when that object or
  page is part of the assistant's context. Make it **Global** if it should
  always apply.
* **A provider's skills are missing**: provider rules and skills appear only
  while that provider is connected. Reconnect the integration and reopen the
  assistant.
* **The skill runs but does the wrong thing**: the assistant follows the
  skill's instructions literally. Tighten the instructions (numbered steps
  work well) and tell it which tools to use, e.g. "use draft\_email, never
  send directly".

## Related

* [Chat Agents](/ai/chat-agents/overview): reusable personas with their own
  instructions and tool scopes. Rules apply across agents; skills are
  procedures any agent can load.
* [AI Overview](/ai/overview)


## Related topics

- [Modules](/ai/modules.md)
- [Provider Tools](/ai/provider-tools.md)
- [AI](/ai/overview.md)
- [Permissions](/ai/permissions.md)
- [Get started with AI](/ai/getting-started.md)