> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://support.vlex.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://support.vlex.com/vincent-by-vlex/vincent/skills/using-skills-in-a-conversation.md).

# Using Skills in a Conversation

#### Summary

Once Skills are available in your Skills Library, Vincent can use them in two ways: automatically, when your prompt matches a Skill's purpose, or manually, when you select a Skill before starting a conversation. This guide covers both.

#### Why This is Important

Skills are what turn Vincent from a general AI assistant into a tool that works the way your firm works. When you ask Vincent to draft a demand letter, review a discovery production, or prepare for a deposition, a well-configured Skill applies your firm's preferred structure, terminology, and standards without you having to explain them each time.

For you as a User, this means less time re-explaining context and more consistent output that reflects how your firm actually practices. It also means you can trust that a colleague using the same Skill will produce work aligned with yours — even if you never spoke about it.

#### How Vincent Activates Skills

There are two ways a Skill can be applied to a conversation.

**Automatic Activation**

Vincent automatically activates a Skill when your prompt matches its purpose or conditions. You don't have to know a Skill exists, if your firm has published one for the task you're about to do, Vincent will apply it.

For example, if your firm has published a demand letter Skill and you type:

> *"Draft a demand letter for a client who slipped on an unmarked wet floor at a New York store."*

Vincent recognizes the request, activates the demand letter Skill, and generates the letter using your firm's preferred structure.

Automatic activation works best when Skill descriptions and conditions are well-written. If a Skill isn't activating when you expect it to, ask the Skill's creator (or your Publisher) to sharpen the description.

**Manual Selection**

You can also manually select a Skill before starting a conversation. Manual selection is useful when:

* You want to force a specific Skill to run rather than let Vincent choose.
* Your prompt is ambiguous and could match more than one Skill.
* You want to see the list of Skills available to you.

There are two ways to select a Skill manually.

**Option 1: Use the + button**

1. Before typing your prompt, click the **+** icon next to the prompt text box.
2. Select **Skills** from the menu.
3. Choose the Skill you want to apply from the list.

<figure><img src="/files/YDRKIcTTpBv0W6X9ECop" alt=""><figcaption><p><strong>Use the + button</strong></p></figcaption></figure>

**Option 2: Use the / shortcut**

Type `/` in the prompt text box. A list of your available Skills appears. Select the Skill you want to add, then type your prompt. This is the fastest way to select a Skill when you already know its name.

Once you've selected a Skill, continue your conversation as normal. Vincent will apply the Skill's instructions to the response.

<figure><img src="/files/QLZB1NPBzIGqkNKn2rWL" alt=""><figcaption><p><strong>Use the / shortcut</strong></p></figcaption></figure>

#### How to Tell If a Skill Was Applied

Vincent indicates when a Skill is active in the conversation. When you send a prompt that triggers a Skill (automatically or manually), you'll see confirmation that the Skill is being used — typically in the message header or as a status indicator near Vincent's response.

If you're not sure whether a Skill was applied, you can also ask Vincent directly:

> *"Which Skill did you use for that response?"*

Vincent will tell you which Skill was active (if any) and what parts of its instructions were relevant.

#### Turning Off a Skill in a Conversation

Sometimes you want a plain response without any Skill applied, for example, when you're exploring a general question rather than doing task-specific work.

You can:

* **Rephrase your prompt** to be more general, which reduces the chance of triggering a task-specific Skill.
* **Ask Vincent explicitly**, for example: *"Answer this without using any Skill."*
* **Start a fresh conversation** if you want a clean context with no Skills carried over.

Skills apply to responses within the conversation where they're active; starting a new conversation resets everything.

#### If You Don't See the Skill You Need

If you can't find a Skill for a task you do regularly, one of the following is true:

* **The Skill exists but hasn't been shared with you.** Ask a colleague or your Publisher whether a Skill for this task has been created and, if so, whether it can be published organization-wide. See Reviewing and Publishing Skills for Your Organization.
* **The Skill exists in Vincent's Skill Library.** A pre-built Skill from Vincent may cover your task. Ask someone with Builder access to browse the Library. See Browsing and Installing Skills from the Skills Library.
* **The Skill doesn't exist yet.** If nothing in the Library or your firm's approved Skills covers the task, someone with Builder access can create one. See Creating a Custom Skill.

Users cannot create Skills themselves, but any Builder in your firm can. Flagging a gap is the first step toward getting the Skill you need.

#### Best Practices & Pro Tips

* **Trust automatic activation for common tasks.** If your firm has approved a Skill for a task you're doing, Vincent will find it, you don't need to manually select it every time. Manual selection is best kept for cases where you specifically want to force a Skill or your prompt is genuinely ambiguous. Trusting automatic activation keeps you focused on the work rather than on the tool.
* **Give feedback when a Skill misfires.** If a Skill produces output that doesn't match what you expected, wrong structure, missing sections, wrong tone, let the Skill's creator or your Publisher know. Skills improve iteratively, and user feedback is what makes them get better over time. You don't need Builder access to help improve Skills; you just need to say something when they miss.

#### Related Articles

* [What are Skills in Vincent?](/vincent-by-vlex/vincent/skills/what-are-skills-in-vincent.md)
* [Browsing and Installing Skills from the Skills Library](/vincent-by-vlex/vincent/skills/browsing-and-installing-skills-from-the-skills-library.md)
* [Creating a Custom Skill](/vincent-by-vlex/vincent/skills/creating-a-custom-skill.md)
* [Skills Roles and Permissions](/vincent-by-vlex/vincent/skills/skills-roles-and-permissions.md)

### Relevant Video Content

{% embed url="<https://drive.google.com/file/d/1j50Hg3M4wvy4uG3ZSkF4MjcSEqFewrJl/view?usp=sharing>" %}

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