If you use Gems in Google Gemini (custom assistants with saved instructions), things are changing. Google is replacing Gems with a new feature called Skills: reusable instructions you can run in any chat by typing a forward slash, combine with other skills, and attach files to.
Here’s what Skills are, the key dates, what happens to your existing Gems, and how to start using Skills today.
Quick Summary
- What’s happening: Gemini Skills are replacing Gems.
- Who gets Skills: Free and paid personal Google accounts, rolling out worldwide.
- Your Gems: They’ll be converted to Skills automatically. You don’t need to rebuild them.
- Creating or editing Gems: No longer possible in the Gemini app since mid-October 2026.
- Bonus: Skills can be combined and can include reference files like PDFs and images.
Note: Features and policies may vary by plan, region and app version, and can change at any time. Check the official help center for the latest information.
Key Dates
| Date | What happens |
|---|---|
| Late September 2026 | Google announces Skills and starts rolling them out in Gemini chat |
| October 13, 2026 | Skills start reaching the Gemini app for everyone; creating and editing Gems stops |
| Mid-November 2026 | Skills rollout completes; Gems on personal accounts are migrated to Skills |
| March 2027 | Gems support ends for Workspace business, enterprise and nonprofit accounts |
| June 2027 | Gems support ends for Workspace education accounts |
Workspace (work and school) accounts follow a separate timeline, and Google has delayed Skills in Workspace apps “until further notice.” Check with your admin if you use Gemini at work.
Note: Release dates and rollout timing can change. Please confirm the latest details on the official website or help center.
What Are Gemini Skills?
A Skill is a saved set of instructions for a task you do often. Instead of typing the same long prompt every time, you save it once and call it up with a / command.
Skills vs Gems: What’s Different?
| Gems (old) | Skills (new) | |
|---|---|---|
| How you use it | Open a separate Gem chat from the side panel | Type “/” in any chat and pick a skill |
| Combine several | No | Yes, stack multiple skills in one request |
| Reference files | Yes | Yes (PDFs, text files and images) |
| Automatic use | No | Gemini can suggest or use a skill when it fits |
Note: Features may vary by plan, region and app version, and can change at any time. Check the official Gemini help center for the latest information.
How to Create and Use Gemini Skills
Create a Skill
- From a chat: When you use a similar prompt more than once, Gemini can offer to turn it into a skill. Accept, give it a short name and save.
- From your own instructions: Save your go-to instructions as a skill, for example “Write in my brand voice: friendly, short sentences, no jargon, US English.”
- Add reference files: Attach PDFs, text files or images (like a style guide or price list) so the skill always has the right context. Google Drive files are coming soon.
Run a Skill
- Open any Gemini chat.
- Type / in the message box.
- Pick the skill you want, then type your request.
- To combine skills, add more than one. For example, a “brand voice” skill plus a “LinkedIn post” skill.
Skill Ideas to Try
- /presentation: Outline slides and draft speaker notes and likely Q&A.
- /mystyle: Rewrite any text in your personal writing style.
- /decide: Give three to five different perspectives on a tough decision.
- /email-polish: Make emails shorter, clearer and more polite.
- /study: Turn notes into a quiz with answers.
Good skills start with good prompts. See our guide to writing better AI prompts.
What You Should Do Now
- List the Gems you actually use.
- Copy their instructions into a document as a backup, just in case.
- Download any files you attached to Gems.
- Try recreating one Gem as a Skill now, so you’re comfortable before the automatic migration.
- After migration, open each converted skill and check its instructions and files.
Google Opal Is Also Shutting Down
Alongside this change, Google says its Opal mini-app experiment is shutting down for personal accounts in November 2026. If you built mini-apps in Opal, save your prompts and outputs now. Our Google Opal guide explains what Opal did, and Skills can cover many of the same simple workflows.
Note: Shutdown dates and timing can change. Please confirm the latest details on the official website or help center.
Similar Changes at Other AI Companies
Google isn’t alone. OpenAI is retiring Custom GPTs in favor of plugins. Read what the Custom GPT retirement means. If you want a stable workspace with files and instructions, Claude Projects are another option.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Gemini Skills free?
Yes. Skills are available on both free and paid personal Gemini accounts.
Will I lose my Gems?
No. Google says existing Gems will be converted to Skills automatically. Backing up your instructions is still a good idea.
Can I still create a new Gem?
No. In the Gemini app, creating and editing Gems stopped in mid-October 2026. Create a Skill instead.
How do I use a Skill?
Type a forward slash (/) in any Gemini chat and choose the skill.
Do Skills work for work and school accounts?
Workspace accounts have a separate, delayed timeline. Gems keep working there until March or June 2027, depending on the account type.
The Bottom Line
Gemini Skills are a more flexible version of Gems: you can use them in any chat, combine them, and attach files. Your Gems will move over automatically, but backing up your instructions and testing a few Skills now will make the switch painless. Comparing assistants? See ChatGPT vs Gemini vs Claude.
Related Guides
- Custom GPTs Are Being Retired: What It Means and How to Move to Plugins
- Google Opal: Build Free AI Mini-Apps Without Code (2026 Guide)
- Claude Projects and Artifacts: How to Use Them (Step by Step)
- ChatGPT vs Gemini vs Claude: Which AI Assistant Fits You? (2026)
Explore more in our AI Tools Directory hub.
Disclaimer: This article is for general information only and is based on details available at the time of writing. Prices, plans, features, release dates, policies and availability can change at any time and may vary by country. Please verify the latest information on the official website of the company or product mentioned before making any decision or purchase. Next DigiTech is an independent website and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the companies mentioned; all trademarks belong to their respective owners. We are not responsible for any loss or decisions made based on this content.
