1. Google is replacing Gems in Gemini with skills, saved instructions you can reuse and combine.

2. Skills started reaching the Gemini app for Workspace accounts on 13 October 2026, and business Gems stop working no sooner than 1 March 2027.

3. This week, write down how you want one repeat task done, ready to save as a skill.

What Google has changed

Google set out its plan to replace Gems with skills on 30 September 2026 and updated it on 13 October. A skill is a set of instructions you write once and reuse whenever you ask Gemini for help, and you can combine several in one request.

Skills began reaching the Gemini app for Workspace accounts on 13 October, and Google expects that to finish by mid-November.

Skills inside Workspace apps such as Docs and Gmail are delayed until further notice, and Gemini app skills don’t carry across to them yet.

For Workspace accounts, from 17 November 2026 Gems move into the Gemini app’s settings but still work.

For business accounts, Gems stop working no sooner than 1 March 2027, and any left become draft skills.

Skills use an open, text-based format called SKILL.md, so skills made in other tools that use it can be copied in.

What it means if you run a small business

If nobody in your firm uses Gems, nothing breaks. If someone has built Gems for quotes or emails, there’s time to move them before March. Writing down how your firm does a task helps whichever tool you pick.

Something to try this week

About 30 to 45 minutes, and free.

Step 1: Pick one task you explain to new staff, such as replying to a quote request.

Step 2: In a plain document, write how you want it done: tone, what to always include, what never to promise.

Step 3: If skills have reached your Gemini app, save it as one and test it on a few old examples. If not, paste it into a chat and test it.

Step 4: If you use Gems, list them and who uses each.

Where this comes from

Introducing skills in the Gemini app and Workspace, plus whats next for Gems, Google Workspace Updates blog, 30 September 2026 (updated 13 October 2026). https://workspaceupdates.googleblog.com/2026/09/skills-gemini-app-workspace.html

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