---
title: "Skills"
description: "Skills are lightweight, pattern matched handlers that process tasks without LLM calls. Define skills in nexus.config.yaml : Output: Skills are WASM binaries that implement a simple interface: Compile to WASM and register"
resource: https://www.aiagents.nexus/docs/broker/skills
generated: { by: "process:nexus-agent-assets", at: 2026-09-07T09:13:03Z }
status: stable
---

# Broker Skills

Skills are lightweight, pattern-matched handlers that process tasks without LLM calls.

## Registering Skills

Define skills in `nexus.config.yaml`:

```yaml
skills:
  - name: summarize
    handler: ./skills/summarize.wasm
    patterns:
      - summarize
      - summary
      - tldr
    description: "Summarize text content"

  - name: classify
    handler: ./skills/classify.wasm
    patterns:
      - classify
      - categorize
      - label
    description: "Classify text into categories"

  - name: extract
    handler: ./skills/extract.wasm
    patterns:
      - extract
      - parse
      - pull out
    description: "Extract structured data from text"

  - name: translate
    handler: ./skills/translate.wasm
    patterns:
      - translate
      - convert to
    description: "Translate between languages"
```

## Listing Skills

```bash
naos broker skills
```

Output:

```
REGISTERED SKILLS
SKILL       HANDLER                    PATTERNS
summarize   ./skills/summarize.wasm    summarize, summary, tldr
classify    ./skills/classify.wasm     classify, categorize, label
extract     ./skills/extract.wasm      extract, parse, pull out
translate   ./skills/translate.wasm    translate, convert to
```

## Building Custom Skills

Skills are WASM binaries that implement a simple interface:

```rust
// skill interface
fn handle(input: &str) -> Result<String, Error> {
    // process the input
    Ok(result)
}
```

Compile to WASM and register in your config:

```bash
cargo build --target wasm32-wasi --release
cp target/wasm32-wasi/release/my_skill.wasm ./skills/
```

## Skill vs LLM Comparison

| Aspect | Skill | LLM |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Free | $0.03+ per call |
| Latency | <1ms | 1-5 seconds |
| Accuracy | High for defined patterns | General purpose |
| Flexibility | Limited to patterns | Any task |