# Skills

Skills are learned procedures that Hope distills from conversations.
One `.md` file per skill, saved here by the skills MCP server
(`agent/skills_mcp.py`) and mounted into the container at `/skills`.

## How they differ from memory

- **Memory** (`./memory/`) stores *facts*: names, preferences, things
  Hope should remember.
- **Skills** (this directory) store *how to do things*: repeatable
  procedures, workflows, and multi-step tasks Hope has learned.

## File format

```markdown
# Make a Coffee Order

How to place an order at the local coffee shop on behalf of the user.

## Steps
1. Confirm the usual drink (oat latte, extra hot).
2. Ask if they want anything new today.
3. Read back the order and confirm.
4. Tell them the pickup time.

---
Created: 2026-08-22T12:00:00+00:00
Source: conversation-learned
```

Hope saves a skill when it successfully completes a multi-step task or
the user teaches it a new procedure, and recalls one with `skill_recall`
before performing a task it has done before. Skills are updated in place
when the procedure improves.