Lazy Skill Invocation Pattern
- Entity ID:
ent-20260423-r31a000000059 - Type:
pattern - Scope:
private - Status:
active
Description
Per Justacuriousengineer analysis: skills use lazy tool invocation. The first API call carries only skill names. When Claude invokes the Skill tool, it receives the full skill markdown as a tool result, which then persists in conversation context for the remainder of the session. Consequence: skills cost tokens only when invoked, but once invoked their full text stays in context permanently.
Key claims
- Skills use lazy invocation; once invoked they stay in context
- Skills vs commands are handled fundamentally differently
Relations
- Lazy Skill Invocation Pattern --[implements]--> Skill Tool Built-in Slash Command Invocation