Skills vs. custom GPTs
GPTs proved people want packaged AI behavior. Skills fix the two things that stalled them: portability and composability.
Where it runs
Custom GPTs
Inside ChatGPT only.
Skills
claude.ai, ChatGPT, Cursor, Claude Code, OpenAI Codex, and Google Antigravity.
Composability
Custom GPTs
One GPT per conversation; switching means starting over.
Skills
Many skills active at once; the right one applies per task.
Transparency
Custom GPTs
Instructions are hidden unless the builder shares them.
Skills
Every skill is readable markdown with its source linked.
Format
Custom GPTs
Proprietary configuration.
Skills
Open SKILL.md standard, MIT licensed, forkable on GitHub.
The honest verdict
If your workflow lives entirely inside ChatGPT, a GPT is fine. If you work across tools, or want to read what you install, skills win.