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OpenAI Docs Skill

Official OpenAI skill that tells agents to use the OpenAI developer documentation MCP server first for API, Codex, Apps SDK, model-selection, and migration questions.

by OpenAI·added 2026-06-05·
Claude CodeCodexWindsurfGeminiCursorCLIVS Code
HarnessClaude CodeCodexWindsurfGeminiCursorCLIVS Code
Level:foundationalType:generalVerified:validated
Review first — review before installing

Open the source and read safety notes before installing.

Safety notes

  • The skill is read-only guidance; it does not call OpenAI APIs, create API keys, modify accounts, or execute code by itself.
  • Do not use the skill as proof that a model, API parameter, entitlement, or product feature exists; it routes the agent to official docs so the answer can be verified.
  • Keep model upgrade work narrow unless the user explicitly asks for SDK, auth, environment, or provider migration changes.

Privacy notes

  • Documentation queries can reveal what product, API, model, migration, or customer workflow the user is researching.
  • Avoid sending private prompts, customer data, secrets, internal repository names, or unreleased product plans through docs-search queries.
  • Skill text, fetched docs, citations, and agent transcripts can persist in local logs or conversation history depending on the client.

Prerequisites

  • OpenAI developer documentation MCP server configured at `https://developers.openai.com/mcp`.
  • An agent environment that supports reusable skills, project instructions, or equivalent workflow rules.
  • Permission to install or reference the `openai/skills` repository in the target agent tooling.
  • A habit of requesting citations or source URLs when the answer depends on current OpenAI product behavior.

Schema details

Install type
package
Reading time
6 min
Troubleshooting
No
Source repository stats
Scope
Source repo
Package metadata
Skill and platform metadata
Skill type
general
Skill level
foundational
Verification
validated
Verified at
2026-06-05
Retrieval sources
https://developers.openai.com/learn/docs-mcphttps://github.com/openai/skills/tree/main/skills/.curated/openai-docshttps://raw.githubusercontent.com/openai/skills/main/skills/.curated/openai-docs/SKILL.md
Tested platforms
CodexClaudeCursorVS CodeGeneric AGENTS
PlatformSupportInstall path
claude-codeNative.claude/skills/<skill-name>/SKILL.md
codexNative.agents/skills/<skill-name>/SKILL.md
windsurfNative.windsurf/skills/<skill-name>/SKILL.md
geminiNative.gemini/skills/<skill-name>/SKILL.md or .agents/skills/<skill-name>/SKILL.md
cursorAdapter.cursor/rules/<skill-name>.mdc
cliManualAGENTS.md or tool-specific context file
Full copyable content
Use the OpenAI Docs Skill when answering OpenAI product or API questions.
Search and fetch official OpenAI developer docs through the configured
`openaiDeveloperDocs` MCP server first, then fall back only to official
OpenAI domains when the MCP source is unavailable.

About this resource

Content

OpenAI Docs Skill is an official skill from the openai/skills repository. It helps agents answer OpenAI product and API questions from current official documentation instead of stale memory. The skill is designed to pair with OpenAI's public developer documentation MCP server at https://developers.openai.com/mcp.

Use it when a workflow needs source-backed answers about the OpenAI API, Responses API, ChatGPT Apps SDK, Codex, model selection, model migration, prompt upgrades, Realtime, Agents SDK, or adjacent OpenAI developer surfaces.

Features

  • Routes OpenAI API and product questions to official developer docs first.
  • Names the expected Docs MCP tools for search, fetch, and API reference lookup when available.
  • Separates broad Codex self-knowledge from ordinary OpenAI API documentation lookup.
  • Includes source-priority rules for model selection, model upgrades, and prompt-upgrade guidance.
  • Encourages bounded uncertainty when public docs do not establish a claim.
  • Restricts web-search fallback to official OpenAI domains.
  • Pairs directly with OpenAI's public Docs MCP server setup instructions.

Use Cases

  • Ask an agent to verify the current Responses API tool schema before changing code.
  • Answer Codex setup, customization, skill, plugin, hook, MCP, or AGENTS.md questions with a source route instead of guessing from memory.
  • Check current model-selection guidance before changing an OpenAI model default.
  • Draft an API migration plan while preserving explicitly requested target models or products.
  • Require citations for OpenAI API, Apps SDK, or Codex answers in code review and support workflows.

Installation

This listing does not package a local archive. Use the source repository and your agent's supported skill-install workflow.

  1. Configure the OpenAI developer Docs MCP server:
codex mcp add openaiDeveloperDocs --url https://developers.openai.com/mcp
  1. Install or reference the skill source from:
https://github.com/openai/skills/tree/main/skills/.curated/openai-docs
  1. Add a project instruction telling the agent to use the skill for OpenAI product and API questions.

Compatibility

Native

  • Codex workflows with skills and MCP enabled.
  • Agent setups that can load SKILL.md-style instructions and call the OpenAI developer Docs MCP server.

Manual Adaptation

  • Claude, Cursor, VS Code, and generic AGENTS.md workflows can adapt the routing rules as durable project instructions when their skill runtime differs.

Boundary Notes

The skill does not authenticate to OpenAI, operate accounts, create keys, or perform production API calls. It is a retrieval and source-priority rule for agents. Keep private data out of documentation searches and verify claims with official docs before changing production code.

Related Resources

#openai#codex#docs#mcp#skills#citations

Source citations

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