Skills and MCP

Skills teach an agent a reusable way of working. MCP connects the external tools or data sources that the workflow needs.

Skills

A skill can contain steps, judgment criteria, tool usage, and output requirements. Use one for a weekly report workflow, a code-change verification checklist, a file naming policy, or a release procedure.

Browse and install skills from the marketplace, or ask NextClaw to package a process you have already proven. Validate every new skill with a low-risk task before relying on it.

MCP

An MCP server can provide tools, resources, and access to an external system. After connecting one, inspect its health, available tools, and permission scope. Use the MCP diagnostic view when a connection fails.

Which one do you need?

• You have the tools but repeat the method: write a skill.
• You know the method but lack access to a system: connect MCP.
• The job needs both an integration and stable standards: use MCP for actions and a skill for the method.

Confirm whether a capability is available only to one agent or to every agent. Do not expose sensitive or high-impact tools globally without a real need.

Related: Agents and subtasks and Tools and actions.