***

id: 5afc0673-c841-4db2-b22f-09436f60c0e3
title: Skill Config
sidebar-title: Skill Config
slug: /python/guides/skill-config
max-toc-depth: 3
----------------

## Skill Configuration

Configure skills with parameters, environment variables, and SWAIG field overrides. Understand the parameter schema and discovery options.

### Configuration Methods

| Method                | Description                            |
| --------------------- | -------------------------------------- |
| Parameters dict       | Pass config when calling `add_skill()` |
| Environment variables | Set via OS environment                 |
| SWAIG fields          | Customize tool metadata                |
| External directories  | Register custom skill paths            |

### Parameter Dictionary

Pass configuration when adding a skill:

```python
self.add_skill("web_search", {
    "api_key": "your-api-key",
    "search_engine_id": "your-engine-id",
    "num_results": 5,
    "min_quality_score": 0.4
})
```

### Parameter Schema

Skills define their parameters via `get_parameter_schema()`:

```python
{
    "api_key": {
        "type": "string",
        "description": "Google API key",
        "required": True,
        "hidden": True,
        "env_var": "GOOGLE_API_KEY"
    },
    "num_results": {
        "type": "integer",
        "description": "Number of results",
        "default": 3,
        "min": 1,
        "max": 10
    },
    "style": {
        "type": "string",
        "description": "Output style",
        "enum": ["brief", "detailed"],
        "default": "brief"
    }
}
```

### Parameter Properties

| Property      | Type   | Description                                                |
| ------------- | ------ | ---------------------------------------------------------- |
| `type`        | string | Data type: string, integer, number, boolean, object, array |
| `description` | string | Human-readable description                                 |
| `default`     | any    | Default value if not provided                              |
| `required`    | bool   | Whether parameter is required                              |
| `hidden`      | bool   | Hide in UIs (for secrets)                                  |
| `env_var`     | string | Environment variable source                                |
| `enum`        | array  | Allowed values                                             |
| `min`/`max`   | number | Value range for numbers                                    |

### Environment Variables

Skills can read from environment variables:

```python
import os

## Set environment variable
os.environ["GOOGLE_API_KEY"] = "your-key"

## Skill reads from params or falls back to env
self.add_skill("web_search", {
    "api_key": os.getenv("GOOGLE_API_KEY"),
    "search_engine_id": os.getenv("SEARCH_ENGINE_ID")
})
```

### SWAIG Fields

Override SWAIG function metadata for skill tools:

```python
self.add_skill("datetime", {
    "swaig_fields": {
        # Add filler phrases while function executes
        "fillers": {
            "en-US": [
                "Let me check the time...",
                "One moment..."
            ]
        },
        # Disable security for testing
        "secure": False
    }
})
```

Available SWAIG fields:

| Field         | Description                      |
| ------------- | -------------------------------- |
| `fillers`     | Language-specific filler phrases |
| `secure`      | Enable/disable token validation  |
| `webhook_url` | Override webhook URL             |

### External Skill Directories

Register custom skill directories:

```python
from signalwire_agents.skills.registry import skill_registry

## Add directory at runtime
skill_registry.add_skill_directory("/opt/custom_skills")

## Environment variable (colon-separated paths)
## SIGNALWIRE_SKILL_PATHS=/path1:/path2:/path3
```

### Entry Points

Install skills via pip packages:

```python
## In setup.py
setup(
    name="my-skills-package",
    entry_points={
        "signalwire_agents.skills": [
            "weather = my_package.skills:WeatherSkill",
            "stock = my_package.skills:StockSkill"
        ]
    }
)
```

### Listing Available Skills

```python
from signalwire_agents.skills.registry import skill_registry

## List all available skills
skills = skill_registry.list_skills()
for skill in skills:
    print(f"{skill['name']}: {skill['description']}")

## Get complete schema for all skills
schema = skill_registry.get_all_skills_schema()
print(schema)
```

### Multi-Instance Configuration

Skills supporting multiple instances need unique tool names:

```python
## Instance 1: News search
self.add_skill("web_search", {
    "tool_name": "search_news",      # Unique function name
    "api_key": "KEY",
    "search_engine_id": "NEWS_ENGINE"
})

## Instance 2: Documentation search
self.add_skill("web_search", {
    "tool_name": "search_docs",      # Different function name
    "api_key": "KEY",
    "search_engine_id": "DOCS_ENGINE"
})
```

### Configuration Validation

Skills validate configuration in `setup()`:

<Frame caption="Validation Flow">
  <img class="diagram" src="https://files.buildwithfern.com/signalwire.docs.buildwithfern.com/docs/28234530d02bd3b0eccafd2917dfa45605e3e6782fd3a70c04f256e03644583f/assets/images/agents-sdk-manual/05_05_skill-config_diagram1.webp" alt="Validation Flow." />
</Frame>

### Complete Configuration Example

```python
from signalwire_agents import AgentBase
from signalwire_agents.skills.registry import skill_registry
import os


## Register external skills
skill_registry.add_skill_directory("/opt/my_company/skills")


class ConfiguredAgent(AgentBase):
    def __init__(self):
        super().__init__(name="configured-agent")
        self.add_language("English", "en-US", "rime.spore")

        # Simple skill - no config
        self.add_skill("datetime")

        # Skill with parameters
        self.add_skill("web_search", {
            "api_key": os.getenv("GOOGLE_API_KEY"),
            "search_engine_id": os.getenv("SEARCH_ENGINE_ID"),
            "num_results": 5,
            "min_quality_score": 0.4
        })

        # Skill with SWAIG field overrides
        self.add_skill("math", {
            "swaig_fields": {
                "fillers": {
                    "en-US": ["Calculating..."]
                }
            }
        })

        # Multi-instance skill
        self.add_skill("native_vector_search", {
            "tool_name": "search_products",
            "index_path": "/data/products.swsearch"
        })

        self.add_skill("native_vector_search", {
            "tool_name": "search_faqs",
            "index_path": "/data/faqs.swsearch"
        })

        self.prompt_add_section(
            "Role",
            "You are a customer service agent."
        )


if __name__ == "__main__":
    agent = ConfiguredAgent()
    agent.run()
```

### Configuration Best Practices

#### Security

* Store API keys in environment variables
* Never commit secrets to version control
* Use hidden: true for sensitive parameters

#### Organization

* Group related configuration
* Use descriptive tool\_name for multi-instance
* Document required configuration

#### Validation

* Check has\_skill() before using conditionally
* Handle ValueError from add\_skill()
* Validate parameters early in setup()

### Next Steps

You've learned the complete skills system. Next, explore advanced topics like contexts, workflows, and state management.