Google will replace Gemini Gems with skills on November 17, 2026

In short: Google says it will shut down Gemini’s “Gems” and move them to a new format called “skills” starting November 17, 2026.

What happened

Google is ending a feature in its Gemini app called Gems. Gems let people create custom AI helpers for specific tasks, so they would not have to repeat the same instructions every time.

Google says existing Gems will not be deleted. Instead, the company will automatically convert them into “skills,” which are meant to be used across different tasks inside Gemini.

Users are seeing messages inside the Gemini app explaining the change. Google says people do not need to do anything for the switch, and Gems will keep working until November 17, 2026.

Gems were introduced in 2024. Google also offered pre-made Gems, such as a learning coach, a brainstorming helper, a career guide, a coding partner, and an editor. Users could also build and share their own, like a running coach or a vacation planner.

Why it matters

If you built a Gem and relied on it, the main takeaway is that your setup should carry over automatically, but the way you use it may change. TechCrunch notes that using skills may require typing a forward slash "/" to pick one inside a chat thread, which can feel less natural than simply asking a chatbot in plain text. More broadly, it is a reminder that AI app features can get renamed or reorganized, even after people spend time setting them up.

Source: TechCrunch AI