Google has announced a new wave of AI-powered enhancements for its Chrome browser, unveiling a feature called “Skills.” This addition enables users to store and reuse their preferred AI prompts across different websites, eliminating the need to repeatedly type them.
The new functionality builds on Chrome’s integration with Gemini, which arrived as competition in the browser space heats up with offerings from companies like OpenAI (Atlas), Perplexity (Comet), and The Browser Company (Dia).
Gemini already enables users to interact with web pages by asking questions, generating summaries, or completing tasks. With the addition of Skills, users can now save frequently used prompts and activate them instantly whenever needed.
For example, Google notes that users who regularly ask Gemini for vegan alternatives while browsing recipes can save that instruction as a Skill and apply it seamlessly across multiple sites. These prompts can be saved directly from chat history and later accessed by typing a forward slash (/) or clicking the plus (+) icon. Once selected, the Skill executes on the current page and can also extend to other selected tabs.
Google highlighted that Skills remain flexible, allowing users to modify them at any time. Early testing showed that adopters used the feature for tasks such as tracking nutrition metrics in recipes, comparing products while shopping, and summarizing long-form content.
To simplify onboarding, Google is also launching a Skills library featuring ready-made prompts for common use cases like productivity, budgeting, shopping, and cooking. Users can add these pre-built Skills to their collection and customize them as needed.
Similar to other Gemini-powered actions in Chrome, the browser will request user approval before carrying out sensitive tasks, such as sending emails or scheduling calendar events.
The rollout of Skills begins today for desktop Chrome users logged into their Google accounts. Initially, the feature will only be available when the browser language is set to English (US).