About the transition from Gems to skills

Last updated: September 30, 2026

Google is introducing skills as the new method for custom AI instructions in the Gemini app and Google Workspace. Skills provide a modular, reusable way to apply tailored instructions to conversations and workflows. Skills will replace Gems in 2027.

Skills offer several advantages over Gems:

  • Availability across surfaces: Skills work in the Gemini app and in Workspace apps, giving users a consistent instruction model across chat and workflows. Gems can't be used in Workspace apps.
  • Use skills directly in chat: Use a skill by typing / (soon to be @) followed by the skill's name directly in any chat. Users don't need to open separate Gem windows for custom instructions.
  • Combine multiple skills: Users can combine multiple skills in a single prompt. They can also apply different skills across a conversation without copying and pasting outputs.
  • Open standard: Skills use the open, Markdown-based SKILL.md format. This lets users create, customize, and transfer instructions across tools without platform lock-in.

Availability and eligibility

  • Skills in the Gemini app: Available to all Google Workspace editions and users of all ages.
  • Skills in Workspace: Available to users age 18 and older with Business Starter, Standard, and Plus; Enterprise Standard, and Plus; Google AI Pro for Education; or the AI Expanded Access add-on.

Transition timeline

For now, users can continue creating and using Gems in the Gemini app. In Google Workspace Studio, users can no longer add the Ask a Gem step to new flows, though existing flows with Ask a Gem steps continue to work until 2027.

Over the coming months, Google will gradually phase out Gems across all surfaces and automatically migrate remaining Gems in the Gemini app to draft skills in the Gemini app. Currently, skills don't sync between the Gemini app and Workspace apps. To use a skill across both platforms, or to transition Gems used in Workspace, users must manually recreate them in Google Workspace Studio.

Date Milestone and how it affects your users
October 5, 2026 Skills begin rolling out in Workspace:
  • Rapid Release domains: Rollout starts October 5, 2026, completing by October 12, 2026.
  • Scheduled Release domains: Rollout starts October 19, 2026, completing by mid-November.
October 13, 2026 Skills begin rolling out in the Gemini app for all users (Rapid and Scheduled Release domains), with rollout completing by mid-November. Users can create and use both Gems and skills.
November 17, 2026 Gems move to Settings in the Gemini app. All users can continue to create, edit, and use them.
No sooner than March 1, 2027 Business and enterprise
  • Users can no longer create, edit, or use Gems.
  • Gems are removed from Settings in the Gemini app.
  • Flows in Google Workspace Studio with the Ask a Gem step stop working.
  • Remaining Gems in the Gemini app automatically migrate to draft skills in the Gemini app.
No sooner than June 1, 2027 Education
  • Users can no longer create, edit, or use Gems.
  • Gems are removed from Settings in the Gemini app, Google Classroom, and third-party learning management systems (LMS) supported by Gemini LTI™.
  • Flows in Google Workspace Studio with the Ask a Gem step stop working.
  • Remaining Gems in the Gemini app automatically migrate to draft skills in the Gemini app.

What administrators need to do

To prepare your organization for the transition to skills, we recommend the following actions:

  1. Notify your users: Inform users about the upcoming transition and key dates based on your organization's edition (March 1, 2027 for business and enterprise; June 1, 2027 for Google Workspace for Education) so they can plan ahead for their workflows.
  2. Encourage early adoption: Make sure skills are turned on for your organization. Once skills start to roll out, direct users to explore skills in the Gemini app and Workspace, and try combining multiple skills in their day-to-day tasks. Share the AI skills 101 handbook and the Help Center articles on creating and using skills in the Gemini app and skills in Google Workspace Studio.

  3. Rebuild high-priority Gems: Encourage creators to manually rebuild their critical Gems as skills early. Share instructions on how to manually recreate Gems as skills.

    Manually copy instructions and re-upload knowledge files to ensure prompt verification and uninterrupted workflows before the automated migration.

  4. Update Google Workspace Studio flows: If your organization uses automated Google Workspace Studio flows that include Ask a Gem steps, instruct flow owners to consult the Workspace Studio transition guide to replace those steps with skills or alternative actions.

  5. Google Workspace for Education: Distribute the Gemini Gems and Skills Transition Guide for Education (PDF) to help educators and staff prepare for the transition. For educators using Google Classroom or Gemini LTI™, we recommend transitioning to Gemini Notebook (available now) and Guided Learning (coming soon to Classroom) for personalized student learning and support. Share these guides with your users:

How automated migration will work

Note: This section will be updated with full migration details at least 30 days before automated migration starts.

When automated migration begins, Google automatically converts existing Gems into skills:

  • Draft status: Migrated Gems are listed in the creator's skills list as inactive drafts. Creators must review and activate each skill before they can use or share it.
  • Preserved content: Converted skills retain their original names, descriptions, custom instructions, and uploaded knowledge files.
  • Sharing and permissions: Drive permissions and sharing settings applied to original Gems transfer to the corresponding skills.

Share these resources with people in your organization: