LessAI ToolsAI plugin directory

Skills vs MCP: task instructions or tool connections?

Skills supply reusable instructions and resources; MCP connects external tools and information. Understand the distinction and decide when to use either or both.

Do you need a process or a connection?

Start with skills for repeatable task instructions. Start with MCP for external information or tool access. They can work together; installing one does not automatically replace the other.

What is a skill?

An Agent Skill packages instructions and resources in a folder containing SKILL.md. Optional scripts, references and templates help an assistant carry out a task.

A team review checklist can be a skill. If it calls for commands or external services, those tools and permissions must still be available.

What is MCP?

MCP, the Model Context Protocol, is an open protocol connecting AI applications to external systems. An MCP-compatible assistant uses a server to access tools or information.

Documentation retrieval or browser interaction are examples. Actual capabilities and permissions depend on the service and client, not just the MCP label.

Consider a browser check

A skill can define the checks and report format. To open and interact with the page, the assistant might use a browser MCP service or existing command-line tools.

Skills are not limited to MCP, and MCP does not require a particular skill. Describe the task, then add the capability that is missing.

How should you start?

Sources checked on 2026-10-12. This guide explains formats and purposes, not compatibility tests for every client or listed project.

  1. Describe the task and identify the missing instructions, information or actions.
  2. Check assistant support, dependencies and permissions for the selected extension.
  3. Add one necessary extension and verify a small task before combining more.

Sources and ranking

This directory lists AI development plugins with public source code and a clear purpose. Browse by task, then open an introduction to learn what a project does, who it is for, and what you need to get started. It covers selected projects, not every AI plugin.

How do the three plugin types differ?

Tool connections (MCP) let AI assistants use external tools such as browsers, code repositories and databases. MCP is the protocol used for these connections.

Reusable skills give a compatible AI assistant instructions and guidance for a particular task.

Editor plugins run inside the software you use to write code, adding AI chat, completions or suggested edits.

How does “Most starred” work?

Projects are sorted by their total GitHub stars. Stars indicate interest; they are not downloads, active users or quality scores. A skill pack counts as one project.

What does “Recently updated” mean?

It uses the most recent code push, which may not be a new release. The 7-day filter checks that project update time; ranking still uses all-time stars. Each introduction shows when its star count was collected.

Introductions are based on public project documentation. These projects have not each been installed and tested here. Check the project documentation for setup, compatibility and service costs.

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