Claude Skills vs MCP
Both Skills and MCP extend Claude's capabilities, but they serve different purposes. Understanding the difference helps you choose the right tool for your needs.
Quick Comparison
Claude Skills
Skills provide instructions and context. They tell Claude how to approach tasks, what patterns to follow, and what your preferences are.
- Coding standards & conventions
- Workflow instructions
- Domain expertise
- Best practices & patterns
MCP (Model Context Protocol)
MCP provides tools and integrations. It gives Claude the ability to do things like access databases, call APIs, or interact with external services.
- Database access
- API integrations
- File system operations
- External service connections
Think of it This Way
Skills are like giving someone a training manual - they learn how you want things done, your preferences, and best practices.
MCP is like giving someone access to tools and systems - a database connection, API credentials, or a file browser.
A well-trained person with the right tools is more effective than either alone. That's why Skills and MCP work great together!
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Skills | MCP |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Instructions & context | Tools & integrations |
| Format | Markdown files | Server implementations |
| Installation | claude skill add | Config + server setup |
| Runtime | No runtime required | Server must be running |
| External Access | ||
| Complexity | Low - just markdown | Higher - requires code |
| Best For | Preferences, standards, expertise | Data access, automation, integrations |
When to Use Each
Use Skills When...
- You want Claude to follow specific coding conventions
- You need expert-level guidance for a framework or tool
- You want consistent behavior across conversations
- You're sharing team standards or best practices
- You want to customize how Claude approaches tasks
Use MCP When...
- Claude needs to query a database
- You want Claude to call external APIs
- You need real-time data from services
- You want Claude to perform automated actions
- You need integration with external tools
Using Skills and MCP Together
Skills and MCP complement each other perfectly. Here's an example:
Scenario: Working with a PostgreSQL database
- MCP: Provides Claude with database access (connection, queries)
- Skill: Teaches Claude your naming conventions, query patterns, and performance best practices
The MCP gives Claude the ability to interact with the database, while the skill ensures Claude does so in a way that follows your team's standards.
Get Started with Skills
Browse our directory of 490+ Claude skills to extend Claude's expertise in your domain.