diff --git a/core/config/markdown/loadMarkdownSkills.ts b/core/config/markdown/loadMarkdownSkills.ts
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..a06d64408c4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/core/config/markdown/loadMarkdownSkills.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,60 @@
+import {
+  ConfigValidationError,
+  parseMarkdownRule,
+} from "@continuedev/config-yaml";
+import z from "zod";
+import { IDE, Skill } from "../..";
+import { getAllDotContinueDefinitionFiles } from "../loadLocalAssistants";
+
+const skillFrontmatterSchema = z.object({
+  name: z.string().min(1),
+  description: z.string().min(1),
+});
+
+export async function loadMarkdownSkills(ide: IDE) {
+  const errors: ConfigValidationError[] = [];
+  const skills: Skill[] = [];
+
+  try {
+    const yamlAndMarkdownFiles = await getAllDotContinueDefinitionFiles(
+      ide,
+      {
+        includeGlobal: true,
+        includeWorkspace: true,
+        fileExtType: "markdown",
+      },
+      "", // SKILL.md can exist in any .continue subdirectory
+    );
+
+    const skillFiles = yamlAndMarkdownFiles.filter((file) =>
+      file.path.endsWith("SKILL.md"),
+    );
+    for (const file of skillFiles) {
+      try {
+        const { frontmatter, markdown } = parseMarkdownRule(
+          file.content,
+        ) as unknown as { frontmatter: Skill; markdown: string };
+
+        const validatedFrontmatter = skillFrontmatterSchema.parse(frontmatter);
+
+        skills.push({
+          ...validatedFrontmatter,
+          content: markdown,
+          path: file.path.slice(7),
+        });
+      } catch (error) {
+        errors.push({
+          fatal: false,
+          message: `Failed to parse markdown skill file: ${error instanceof Error ? error.message : error}`,
+        });
+      }
+    }
+  } catch (err) {
+    errors.push({
+      fatal: false,
+      message: `Error loading markdown skill files: ${err instanceof Error ? err.message : err}`,
+    });
+  }
+
+  return { skills, errors };
+}
diff --git a/core/config/profile/doLoadConfig.ts b/core/config/profile/doLoadConfig.ts
index f33c8a1e9f4..5ead1d91441 100644
--- a/core/config/profile/doLoadConfig.ts
+++ b/core/config/profile/doLoadConfig.ts
@@ -69,6 +69,7 @@ async function loadRules(ide: IDE) {
 
   return { rules, errors };
 }
+
 export default async function doLoadConfig(options: {
   ide: IDE;
   controlPlaneClient: ControlPlaneClient;
@@ -299,14 +300,15 @@ export default async function doLoadConfig(options: {
   }
 
   newConfig.tools.push(
-    ...getConfigDependentToolDefinitions({
+    ...(await getConfigDependentToolDefinitions({
       rules: newConfig.rules,
       enableExperimentalTools:
         newConfig.experimental?.enableExperimentalTools ?? false,
       isSignedIn,
       isRemote: await ide.isWorkspaceRemote(),
       modelName: newConfig.selectedModelByRole.chat?.model,
-    }),
+      ide,
+    })),
   );
 
   // Detect duplicate tool names
diff --git a/core/index.d.ts b/core/index.d.ts
index 197b5516d0c..ed9dfb0aaf2 100644
--- a/core/index.d.ts
+++ b/core/index.d.ts
@@ -1152,9 +1152,10 @@ export interface ConfigDependentToolParams {
   isSignedIn: boolean;
   isRemote: boolean;
   modelName: string | undefined;
+  ide: IDE;
 }
 
-export type GetTool = (params: ConfigDependentToolParams) => Tool;
+export type GetTool = (params: ConfigDependentToolParams) => Promise<Tool>;
 
 export interface BaseCompletionOptions {
   temperature?: number;
@@ -1895,6 +1896,14 @@ export interface RuleWithSource extends RuleMetadata {
   rule: string;
 }
 
+export interface Skill {
+  name: string;
+  description: string;
+  path: string;
+  content: string;
+  license?: string;
+}
+
 export interface CompleteOnboardingPayload {
   mode: OnboardingModes;
   provider?: string;
diff --git a/core/tools/builtIn.ts b/core/tools/builtIn.ts
index 47cd6769fcc..0b1346bbca2 100644
--- a/core/tools/builtIn.ts
+++ b/core/tools/builtIn.ts
@@ -16,6 +16,7 @@ export enum BuiltInToolNames {
   RequestRule = "request_rule",
   FetchUrlContent = "fetch_url_content",
   CodebaseTool = "codebase",
+  ReadSkill = "read_skill",
 
   // excluded from allTools for now
   ViewRepoMap = "view_repo_map",
diff --git a/core/tools/callTool.ts b/core/tools/callTool.ts
index 8d695e1e192..2dd53474c3e 100644
--- a/core/tools/callTool.ts
+++ b/core/tools/callTool.ts
@@ -16,6 +16,7 @@ import { readCurrentlyOpenFileImpl } from "./implementations/readCurrentlyOpenFi
 import { readFileImpl } from "./implementations/readFile";
 
 import { readFileRangeImpl } from "./implementations/readFileRange";
+import { readSkillImpl } from "./implementations/readSkill";
 import { requestRuleImpl } from "./implementations/requestRule";
 import { runTerminalCommandImpl } from "./implementations/runTerminalCommand";
 import { searchWebImpl } from "./implementations/searchWeb";
@@ -179,6 +180,8 @@ export async function callBuiltInTool(
       return await requestRuleImpl(args, extras);
     case BuiltInToolNames.CodebaseTool:
       return await codebaseToolImpl(args, extras);
+    case BuiltInToolNames.ReadSkill:
+      return await readSkillImpl(args, extras);
     case BuiltInToolNames.ViewRepoMap:
       return await viewRepoMapImpl(args, extras);
     case BuiltInToolNames.ViewSubdirectory:
diff --git a/core/tools/definitions/index.ts b/core/tools/definitions/index.ts
index bf3dc02d96c..bfc78ac3d2e 100644
--- a/core/tools/definitions/index.ts
+++ b/core/tools/definitions/index.ts
@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@ export { readCurrentlyOpenFileTool } from "./readCurrentlyOpenFile";
 export { readFileTool } from "./readFile";
 
 export { readFileRangeTool } from "./readFileRange";
+export { readSkillTool } from "./readSkill";
 export { requestRuleTool } from "./requestRule";
 export { runTerminalCommandTool } from "./runTerminalCommand";
 export { searchWebTool } from "./searchWeb";
diff --git a/core/tools/definitions/readSkill.ts b/core/tools/definitions/readSkill.ts
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..7d0b18218e3
--- /dev/null
+++ b/core/tools/definitions/readSkill.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,34 @@
+import { GetTool } from "../..";
+import { loadMarkdownSkills } from "../../config/markdown/loadMarkdownSkills";
+import { BUILT_IN_GROUP_NAME, BuiltInToolNames } from "../builtIn";
+
+export const readSkillTool: GetTool = async (params) => {
+  const { skills } = await loadMarkdownSkills(params.ide);
+  return {
+    type: "function",
+    displayTitle: "Read Skill",
+    wouldLikeTo: "read skill {{{ skillName }}}",
+    isCurrently: "reading skill {{{ skillName }}}",
+    hasAlready: "read skill {{{ skillName }}}",
+    readonly: true,
+    isInstant: true,
+    group: BUILT_IN_GROUP_NAME,
+    function: {
+      name: BuiltInToolNames.ReadSkill,
+      description: `
+Use this tool to read the content of a skill by its name. Skills contain detailed instructions for specific tasks. The skill name should match one of the available skills listed below: 
+${skills.map((skill) => `\nname: ${skill.name}\ndescription: ${skill.description}\n`)}`,
+      parameters: {
+        type: "object",
+        required: ["skillName"],
+        properties: {
+          skillName: {
+            type: "string",
+            description:
+              "The name of the skill to read. This should match the name from the available skills.",
+          },
+        },
+      },
+    },
+  };
+};
diff --git a/core/tools/definitions/requestRule.ts b/core/tools/definitions/requestRule.ts
index 30443506c54..7b2d2e42c91 100644
--- a/core/tools/definitions/requestRule.ts
+++ b/core/tools/definitions/requestRule.ts
@@ -37,7 +37,7 @@ function getRequestRuleSystemMessageDescription(
   return prefix + availableRules + suffix;
 }
 
-export const requestRuleTool: GetTool = ({ rules }) => ({
+export const requestRuleTool: GetTool = async ({ rules }) => ({
   type: "function",
   displayTitle: "Request Rules",
   wouldLikeTo: "request rule {{{ name }}}",
diff --git a/core/tools/definitions/toolDefinitions.test.ts b/core/tools/definitions/toolDefinitions.test.ts
index 265ebe5e12f..6b64f542ca6 100644
--- a/core/tools/definitions/toolDefinitions.test.ts
+++ b/core/tools/definitions/toolDefinitions.test.ts
@@ -10,21 +10,24 @@ describe("Tool Definitions", () => {
     isSignedIn: false,
     isRemote: false,
     modelName: "a model",
+    ide: {} as any,
   };
 
   // Helper function to get the actual tool object
-  const getToolObject = (toolDefinition: Tool | GetTool): Tool => {
+  const getToolObject = async (
+    toolDefinition: Tool | GetTool,
+  ): Promise<Tool> => {
     if (typeof toolDefinition === "function") {
       return toolDefinition(mockParams);
     }
     return toolDefinition;
   };
 
-  it("should have all required parameters defined in properties for each tool", () => {
+  it("should have all required parameters defined in properties for each tool", async () => {
     const exportedTools = Object.values(toolDefinitions);
 
-    exportedTools.forEach((toolDefinition) => {
-      const tool = getToolObject(toolDefinition);
+    for (const toolDefinition of exportedTools) {
+      const tool = await getToolObject(toolDefinition);
 
       // Each tool should have the required structure
       expect(tool).toHaveProperty("type", "function");
@@ -52,6 +55,6 @@ describe("Tool Definitions", () => {
           expect(typeof property.type).toBe("string");
         });
       }
-    });
+    }
   });
 });
diff --git a/core/tools/implementations/readSkill.ts b/core/tools/implementations/readSkill.ts
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..5cb471581a3
--- /dev/null
+++ b/core/tools/implementations/readSkill.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,32 @@
+import { ToolImpl } from ".";
+import { loadMarkdownSkills } from "../../config/markdown/loadMarkdownSkills";
+import { ContinueError, ContinueErrorReason } from "../../util/errors";
+import { getStringArg } from "../parseArgs";
+
+export const readSkillImpl: ToolImpl = async (args, extras) => {
+  const skillName = getStringArg(args, "skillName");
+
+  const { skills } = await loadMarkdownSkills(extras.ide);
+
+  const skill = skills.find((s) => s.name === skillName);
+
+  if (!skill) {
+    const availableSkills = skills.map((s) => s.name).join(", ");
+    throw new ContinueError(
+      ContinueErrorReason.SkillNotFound,
+      `Skill "${skillName}" not found. Available skills: ${availableSkills || "none"}`,
+    );
+  }
+
+  return [
+    {
+      name: `Skill: ${skill.name}`,
+      description: skill.description,
+      content: `# ${skill.name}\n\n${skill.description}\n\n## Instructions\n\n${skill.content}`,
+      uri: {
+        type: "file",
+        value: skill.path,
+      },
+    },
+  ];
+};
diff --git a/core/tools/index.ts b/core/tools/index.ts
index bdc519dc9ab..15d52d3aca4 100644
--- a/core/tools/index.ts
+++ b/core/tools/index.ts
@@ -15,13 +15,14 @@ export const getBaseToolDefinitions = () => [
   toolDefinitions.fetchUrlContentTool,
 ];
 
-export const getConfigDependentToolDefinitions = (
+export const getConfigDependentToolDefinitions = async (
   params: ConfigDependentToolParams,
-): Tool[] => {
+): Promise<Tool[]> => {
   const { modelName, isSignedIn, enableExperimentalTools, isRemote } = params;
   const tools: Tool[] = [];
 
-  tools.push(toolDefinitions.requestRuleTool(params));
+  tools.push(await toolDefinitions.requestRuleTool(params));
+  tools.push(await toolDefinitions.readSkillTool(params));
 
   if (isSignedIn) {
     // Web search is only available for signed-in users
diff --git a/core/tools/searchWebGating.vitest.ts b/core/tools/searchWebGating.vitest.ts
index 4ebb6e5b45f..e49984bea60 100644
--- a/core/tools/searchWebGating.vitest.ts
+++ b/core/tools/searchWebGating.vitest.ts
@@ -2,14 +2,15 @@ import { expect, test } from "vitest";
 import { BuiltInToolNames } from "./builtIn";
 import { getConfigDependentToolDefinitions } from "./index";
 
-test("searchWeb tool is only available when user is signed in", () => {
+test("searchWeb tool is only available when user is signed in", async () => {
   // Test with signed-in user
-  const signedInTools = getConfigDependentToolDefinitions({
+  const signedInTools = await getConfigDependentToolDefinitions({
     rules: [],
     enableExperimentalTools: false,
     isSignedIn: true,
     isRemote: false,
     modelName: "",
+    ide: {} as any,
   });
 
   const searchWebToolSignedIn = signedInTools.find(
@@ -19,12 +20,13 @@ test("searchWeb tool is only available when user is signed in", () => {
   expect(searchWebToolSignedIn?.displayTitle).toBe("Search Web");
 
   // Test with non-signed-in user
-  const notSignedInTools = getConfigDependentToolDefinitions({
+  const notSignedInTools = await getConfigDependentToolDefinitions({
     rules: [],
     enableExperimentalTools: false,
     isSignedIn: false,
     isRemote: false,
     modelName: "",
+    ide: {} as any,
   });
 
   const searchWebToolNotSignedIn = notSignedInTools.find(
diff --git a/core/util/errors.ts b/core/util/errors.ts
index 69df7c81423..b94b5ac003f 100644
--- a/core/util/errors.ts
+++ b/core/util/errors.ts
@@ -62,6 +62,9 @@ export enum ContinueErrorReason {
   // Rules
   RuleNotFound = "rule_not_found",
 
+  // Skills
+  SkillNotFound = "skill_not_found",
+
   // Other
   Unspecified = "unspecified", // I.e. a known error but no specific code for it
   Unknown = "unknown", // I.e. an unexpected error