Know the difference
A skill supplies a repeatable workflow, often with templates or examples. A plugin is an installable bundle that can include skills, connected tools, or both. A connector lets it work with a service; it does not mean every account or folder is available.
Find the capability you need
Browse the plugin directory in the app. Read the description and the publisher before installing. For a first exercise, choose a service containing a harmless practice document you own. If no relevant plugin is available, uploading the file is still a useful option.
Check the account and access
If connection is required, verify the account shown on the service sign-in screen and read the permissions. Use only material you are allowed to share. Installing a plugin and connecting an account are different steps.
Try a small reading task
Ask it to find one named practice file and summarise it with a source link. Open that source. If it cannot find the file, check the connection and file permissions; do not assume it can see everything.
Reuse a method once it works
After you have a repeatable task, a skill can preserve its instructions. ChatGPT uses @ mentions for skills; Codex uses $. Select a suggestion offered by your app. You do not need to configure an MCP server to finish this beginner guide.
Find the practice document named Workshop planning in my connected document service. Summarise its confirmed decisions in five bullets and link the source. If you cannot access it, explain what is missing. Do not edit or share the document.
Sources and availability
Checked 6 September 2026. Labels and access can vary by app version, account, and workspace. Practice examples are created for this guide.
OpenAI: Skills and plugins OpenAI: Permissions