OpenAI are quietly adopting skills, now available in ChatGPT and Codex CLI

Hey fellow craftspeople! Simon Willison over at his blog has been digging into something pretty neat that OpenAI is quietly rolling out: "skills" for ChatGPT and their Codex CLI. Think of it like giving your AI assistants specialized toolkits. Instead of just general knowledge, these skills allow ChatGPT to tap into specific functionalities, much like a seasoned craftsman knows exactly which tool to grab for a particular job. This means more focused, powerful interactions, especially when you're looking to integrate AI into your workflow or build custom applications. It’s a subtle but significant shift towards more specialized AI capabilities, moving beyond just conversational prowess.

What’s really exciting for us builders is the practical implication. While the details are still emerging, the idea of these skills being accessible via the Codex CLI opens up avenues for programmatic control. Imagine scripting AI tasks, automating complex code generation, or even creating intelligent agents that can perform specific development operations. This isn't just about asking questions anymore; it's about commanding AI to *do* things. We’re talking about the potential for incredibly powerful code snippets and automated workflows, all orchestrated through a more refined AI. Keep an eye on this space; it feels like a foundational step towards a more deeply integrated AI-powered development environment.

📰 Original article: https://simonwillison.net/2025/Dec/12/openai-skills/

This content has been curated and summarized for Code Crafts readers.