Transition Gemini Gems to Skills Before Nov 17

Google is replacing Gems with Skills in the Gemini app. For personal accounts, Gems become read-only on November 17, 2026, and Google removes them in December. Skills let you call reusable instructions by typing a slash in any chat, and you can stack several at once.

This guide shows how to manually move your Gems to Skills now so nothing breaks. The process takes a few minutes per Gem and works on free and paid accounts.

Why Skills Replace Gems

Skills work inline inside any chat. You type /skill-name or soon @skill-name and Gemini applies the saved instructions. Unlike Gems, you can combine multiple Skills in one conversation. Gemini also detects when a Skill fits and applies it automatically.

Skills use the open SKILL.md format, so you can export them and import Skills created elsewhere. They will eventually work across the Gemini app and most Workspace apps, though you currently create them separately for each surface.

Key Dates for Personal Accounts

• October 13, 2026: Skills start rolling out in the Gemini app.
• Mid-November 2026: Rollout completes.
• November 17, 2026: Gems move to Settings and become read-only. You can still view them but cannot use or edit them.
• December 17, 2026: Google removes Gems from the Gemini app for personal accounts.

Business and education Workspace accounts keep Gems longer (until March or June 2027). Automatic migration happens later; manual transfer gives you control now.

Step-by-Step: Move One Gem to a Skill

Do this for every Gem you want to keep.

1. Open gemini.google.com on a computer and sign in.
2. Click More in the sidebar if needed, then Gems.
3. Next to the Gem, click Edit.
4. Copy the full instructions into a text file as a backup.
5. If the Gem has Knowledge files, download each one.
6. Create a folder named in lowercase with hyphens, for example weekly-report-helper. Put the downloaded files inside it.
7. Open a new tab, go to Customize (under More if hidden) then Skills.
8. Click Create then Create manually.
9. Paste the name, description, and instructions from your Gem. Gemini formats the name for you.
10. Click Create.
11. Test the Skill: start a new chat, type / and select your Skill, then run a familiar prompt.

If your account shows an Add button for files during creation, attach them there and skip the next steps. Otherwise continue to attach files.

Attach Files to the Skill

1. On the Skills page, open the three-dot menu next to your new Skill and choose Download. You receive a zip containing SKILL.md.
2. Extract SKILL.md and place it in the folder with your Knowledge files. The folder name must match the Skill name.
3. Go back to the Skill, open the menu again, and choose Replace skill. Upload the folder.

The Skill now includes the original files and works like the Gem.

Create a New Skill from Scratch

You do not need an old Gem.

1. Go to Customize > Skills > Create.
2. Choose Create with Gemini for guided help, pick a template, or create manually.
3. Describe the task, audience, format, length, and rules. Add one short example of good output.
4. Save and test with real prompts.

You can stack Skills by typing multiple slash commands or mentioning several in one message. Only 100 Skills can stay active at once, but you can create as many as you like.

Tips for Better Skills

• Use short, clear names you will remember.
• Include specific rules and an example.
• Test on two or three real tasks and tighten instructions that Gemini ignores.
• Download and back up important Skills regularly.
• For Workspace use, recreate the Skill separately in Workspace Studio until sync arrives.

Video Walkthrough

What Happens If You Do Nothing

Google will automatically turn remaining Gems into draft Skills when it removes them. Manual migration lets you verify the result, keep files attached, and start using the better Skills features today. Related reading: How to stack Gemini Skills in one chat.

Move your most-used Gems this week. The November 17 date arrives quickly, and the manual steps take only a few minutes each.

Sources

• Google Support: About the transition from Gems to skills
• Google Workspace Updates: Introducing skills in the Gemini app and Workspace
• Google Blog: Automate repetitive tasks with Skills