Chrome Adds 'Skills' Tool So Users Can Store And Reuse AI Prompts

Google is introducing a new Chrome capability called Skills that lets people save custom Gemini prompts and apply them across websites without retyping. The company says the tool, which is part of its broader Gemini integration in the browser, aims to speed up repetitive tasks and bring persistent AI-powered workflows to everyday browsing. The rollout comes as rival browsers and AI assistants, from OpenAI to smaller challengers, push similar features into the market.

Skills are created from a past chat with Gemini and then saved for later use. Once stored, a Skill can be summoned from the address bar by entering a slash or by tapping the plus icon, and it will act on the active tab or any other tabs you select. Users can tweak a saved Skill at any time, and Google says the assistant will ask for permission before completing sensitive actions such as sending messages or adding calendar entries.

Early testers used Skills for a range of tasks, according to Google: from parsing long documents to comparing product specs across retailers. To help people get started, Chrome will offer a searchable library of ready-made Skills that cover common chores — anything from trip planning to meal prep to money tracking — which users can add to their collection and adjust to match their own needs. That catalog is meant to cut the setup time for people who aren’t comfortable writing prompts from scratch.

Privacy and control will likely be a focus as the feature spreads. “Saving prompts that operate across sites is convenient, but users will want clarity on what data is retained and where processing happens,” said Dr. Lina Morales, a researcher who studies online privacy. Google says Skills follow the same confirmation safeguards it already uses for Gemini in the browser, and that edits to a Skill are stored locally to let people tailor behavior without rebuilding it every time.

The feature begins rolling out today to desktop users who are signed into Chrome with a Google account. For now, Skills work only when the browser language is set to U.S. English; Google did not provide a timetable for additional languages or mobile availability. The limitation suggests an incremental launch as the company gauges usage and refines safeguards.

Analysts say the addition could strengthen Chrome’s attractiveness to users who want lightweight automation without leaving the browser. By turning repetitive prompts into one-click tools, Chrome is leaning into AI as a reason to stay within its ecosystem — and raising the bar for competitors that are also bundling generative features into their browsers and assistants.