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Are agent skills safe? How to check a skill before you install it

Agent skills can include scripts and instructions with real access to your machine. A practical checklist to vet a skill before installing it.

Updated Nov 10, 2026 · 3 min read

A skill is code and instructions your agent will follow with your permissions. Most are harmless, but treat them like any dependency.

  1. Read SKILL.md. Look for instructions to send data anywhere, disable safety checks or run downloaded code.
  2. Open every script in the folder. Alyn shows the file count for each skill.
  3. Prefer known authors and official vendor repos.
  4. Check activity: recent commits, open issues, stars and installs.
  5. Pin a version or fork the repo for anything business-critical.
  6. Run new skills in a project without secrets first.

Security scanners such as NVIDIA's SkillSpector, Snyk's agent-scan and Cisco's skill-scanner can automate parts of this review.

FAQ

Can a skill steal my data?

A malicious skill could instruct the agent to read or send files. That is why you should read skills before installing them.

Does Alyn audit skills?

Alyn ranks by public signals and links every file so you can review it. It is not a security audit.

Next guide

What are Claude skills? Agent skills explained

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