diff --git a/cptr/frontend/src/lib/components/Admin/Skills.svelte b/cptr/frontend/src/lib/components/Admin/Skills.svelte
index bc24a75..3e301a7 100644
--- a/cptr/frontend/src/lib/components/Admin/Skills.svelte
+++ b/cptr/frontend/src/lib/components/Admin/Skills.svelte
@@ -7,12 +7,17 @@
 
 	let loading = $state(true);
 	let saving = $state(false);
+	let enabled = $state(true);
+	let toolEnabled = $state(true);
 	let backgroundReview = $state(true);
 	let reviewInterval = $state(10);
 
 	onMount(async () => {
 		try {
 			const config = await getAdminConfig();
+			enabled = config['skills.enabled'] !== false && config['skills.enabled'] !== 'false';
+			toolEnabled =
+				config['skills.tool_enabled'] !== false && config['skills.tool_enabled'] !== 'false';
 			backgroundReview =
 				config['skills.background_review_enabled'] !== false &&
 				config['skills.background_review_enabled'] !== 'false';
@@ -27,6 +32,8 @@
 		saving = true;
 		try {
 			await updateConfig({
+				'skills.enabled': enabled,
+				'skills.tool_enabled': toolEnabled,
 				'skills.background_review_enabled': backgroundReview,
 				'skills.review_interval_turns': Math.max(1, Number(reviewInterval) || 10)
 			});
@@ -39,48 +46,72 @@
 	}
 </script>
 
-<div class="flex flex-col min-h-full">
-	<h2 class="text-sm font-medium text-gray-900 dark:text-white mb-4">Skills</h2>
-
+<div class="flex flex-col h-full">
 	{#if loading}
 		<div class="flex justify-center py-8"><Spinner size={16} /></div>
 	{:else}
-		<div class="flex flex-col gap-2.5">
-			<label class="flex items-center justify-between cursor-pointer">
-				<span class="text-xs text-gray-600 dark:text-gray-400">Background review</span>
-				<ToggleSwitch
-					value={backgroundReview}
-					onchange={(v) => {
-						backgroundReview = v;
-					}}
-				/>
-			</label>
-			<p class="text-[0.6875rem] text-gray-400 dark:text-gray-600 -mt-1">
-				Let Computer create or update managed skills after successful reusable work.
-			</p>
+		<div class="flex-1 min-h-0 overflow-y-auto scrollbar-hover pr-1.5 -mr-1.5">
+			<h2 class="text-sm font-medium text-gray-900 dark:text-white mb-4">Skills</h2>
 
-			{#if backgroundReview}
-				<div>
-					<label class="text-xs text-gray-600 dark:text-gray-400" for="skills-review-interval"
-						>Review interval</label
-					>
-					<div class="flex items-center gap-1.5 mt-1">
+			<h3 class="text-xs text-gray-400 dark:text-gray-600 mb-2">Behavior</h3>
+			<div class="flex flex-col gap-2.5">
+				<label class="flex items-center justify-between cursor-pointer">
+					<span class="text-xs text-gray-600 dark:text-gray-400">Enable skills</span>
+					<ToggleSwitch
+						value={enabled}
+						onchange={(v) => {
+							enabled = v;
+						}}
+					/>
+				</label>
+
+				{#if enabled}
+					<label class="flex items-center justify-between cursor-pointer">
+						<span class="text-xs text-gray-600 dark:text-gray-400"
+							>Assistant can manage skills</span
+						>
+						<ToggleSwitch
+							value={toolEnabled}
+							onchange={(v) => {
+								toolEnabled = v;
+							}}
+						/>
+					</label>
+
+					<label class="flex items-center justify-between cursor-pointer">
+						<span class="text-xs text-gray-600 dark:text-gray-400">Background review</span>
+						<ToggleSwitch
+							value={backgroundReview}
+							onchange={(v) => {
+								backgroundReview = v;
+							}}
+						/>
+					</label>
+				{/if}
+			</div>
+
+			{#if enabled}
+				<h3 class="text-xs text-gray-400 dark:text-gray-600 mb-2 mt-5">Limits</h3>
+				<div class="flex flex-col gap-2.5">
+					<div>
+						<label class="text-xs text-gray-600 dark:text-gray-400" for="skills-review-interval">
+							Review every
+						</label>
 						<input
 							id="skills-review-interval"
 							type="number"
 							bind:value={reviewInterval}
 							min="1"
-							class="w-16 h-7 px-2 rounded-lg text-xs bg-gray-100 dark:bg-white/6 text-gray-700 dark:text-gray-300 border border-gray-200 dark:border-white/8 outline-none focus:border-blue-400 dark:focus:border-blue-500 transition-colors"
+							class="w-full mt-1 h-7 px-2 rounded-lg text-xs bg-gray-100 dark:bg-white/6 text-gray-700 dark:text-gray-300 border border-gray-200 dark:border-white/8 outline-none transition-colors"
 						/>
-						<span class="text-[0.6875rem] text-gray-400 dark:text-gray-600">turns</span>
 					</div>
 				</div>
 			{/if}
 		</div>
 
-		<div class="mt-5 pt-4 border-t border-gray-100 dark:border-white/8">
+		<div class="shrink-0 pt-3 flex justify-end">
 			<button
-				class="h-8 px-3 rounded-lg text-xs bg-gray-900 dark:bg-white text-white dark:text-black hover:bg-gray-700 dark:hover:bg-gray-200 transition-colors disabled:opacity-50"
+				class="text-[0.8125rem] text-gray-600 dark:text-gray-400 hover:text-gray-900 dark:hover:text-white transition-colors duration-100 disabled:opacity-50"
 				disabled={saving}
 				onclick={save}
 			>
diff --git a/cptr/frontend/src/lib/components/SettingsModal.svelte b/cptr/frontend/src/lib/components/SettingsModal.svelte
index 0506063..dc9bea2 100644
--- a/cptr/frontend/src/lib/components/SettingsModal.svelte
+++ b/cptr/frontend/src/lib/components/SettingsModal.svelte
@@ -66,7 +66,6 @@
 		'connections',
 		'agents',
 		'models',
-		'skills',
 		'messaging',
 		'gateway',
 		'audio',
@@ -74,7 +73,8 @@
 		'web',
 		'toolservers',
 		'subagents',
-		'memory'
+		'memory',
+		'skills'
 	];
 
 	const personalTabs: SettingsTab[] = $derived.by(() => {
@@ -95,7 +95,6 @@
 		{ id: 'connections', label: $t('admin.connections'), icon: 'plug' },
 		{ id: 'agents', label: $t('admin.agents'), icon: 'terminal' },
 		{ id: 'models', label: $t('admin.models'), icon: 'cube' },
-		{ id: 'skills', label: 'Skills', icon: 'spark' },
 		{ id: 'messaging', label: $t('admin.messaging'), icon: 'chat-bubble' },
 		{ id: 'gateway', label: $t('admin.gateway.tab'), icon: 'gateway' },
 		{ id: 'audio', label: $t('admin.audio.title'), icon: 'microphone' },
@@ -103,7 +102,8 @@
 		{ id: 'web', label: $t('admin.web'), icon: 'globe' },
 		{ id: 'toolservers', label: $t('admin.toolServers'), icon: 'plug' },
 		{ id: 'subagents', label: $t('admin.subagents'), icon: 'user' },
-		{ id: 'memory', label: $t('settings.memory'), icon: 'brain' }
+		{ id: 'memory', label: $t('settings.memory'), icon: 'brain' },
+		{ id: 'skills', label: 'Skills', icon: 'spark' }
 	]);
 
 	onMount(() => {
diff --git a/cptr/routers/skills.py b/cptr/routers/skills.py
index c9b8f60..43a27a8 100644
--- a/cptr/routers/skills.py
+++ b/cptr/routers/skills.py
@@ -32,8 +32,12 @@ class SkillResponse(BaseModel):
 @router.get("", response_model=list[SkillResponse])
 async def list_skills(workspace: str = Query(..., description="Workspace path")):
     """List available skills (frontmatter only) for the $ mention picker."""
+    from cptr.models import Config
     from cptr.utils.skills import discover_skills
 
+    if (await Config.get("skills.enabled")) in (False, "false", "0"):
+        return []
+
     skills = await asyncio.to_thread(discover_skills, workspace)
     return [
         SkillResponse(
diff --git a/cptr/utils/chat_task.py b/cptr/utils/chat_task.py
index 6234f06..ad19611 100644
--- a/cptr/utils/chat_task.py
+++ b/cptr/utils/chat_task.py
@@ -14,7 +14,13 @@ import uuid
 from cptr.events import EVENTS, publish_event
 from cptr.env import CHAT_MAX_ITERATIONS, CHAT_TOOL_COMMAND_MAX_CHARS, CHAT_TOOL_MAX_CHARS
 from cptr.utils.context import resolve_compact_token_threshold, should_compact
-from cptr.utils.skills import bump_skill_view, discover_skills, load_skill, format_skill_content
+from cptr.utils.skills import (
+    bump_skill_view,
+    discover_skills,
+    format_skill_content,
+    get_skill_settings,
+    load_skill,
+)
 from cptr.utils.summarize import summarize_messages
 from cptr.models import Chat, ChatMessage, Config
 from cptr.socket.main import emit_to_user
@@ -186,7 +192,12 @@ def _has_prior_real_chat_content(messages: list[dict], loaded_summary: str | Non
     )
 
 
-def _build_skill_create_gate_prompt() -> str:
+def _build_skill_create_gate_prompt(reason: str = "empty_chat") -> str:
+    if reason == "disabled":
+        return (
+            "[/skills:create] Skill creation is disabled in admin settings. "
+            "Explain this briefly and do not try to create or update a skill."
+        )
     return (
         "[/skills:create] The user tried to create a skill before this chat had "
         "any prior real content. Explain briefly that skill creation needs an "
@@ -195,7 +206,12 @@ def _build_skill_create_gate_prompt() -> str:
     )
 
 
-def _apply_skills_create_prompt(messages: list[dict], *, allowed: bool) -> bool:
+def _apply_skills_create_prompt(
+    messages: list[dict],
+    *,
+    allowed: bool,
+    denial_reason: str = "empty_chat",
+) -> bool:
     for message in reversed(messages):
         if message.get("role") != "user":
             continue
@@ -206,7 +222,7 @@ def _apply_skills_create_prompt(messages: list[dict], *, allowed: bool) -> bool:
         message["content"] = (
             _build_skill_create_prompt(match.group(1) or "")
             if allowed
-            else _build_skill_create_gate_prompt()
+            else _build_skill_create_gate_prompt(denial_reason)
         )
         return True
     return False
@@ -1449,9 +1465,14 @@ async def run_chat_task(
         chat_obj = await Chat.get_by_id(chat_id)
         chat_params = (chat_obj.meta or {}).get("params", {}) if chat_obj else {}
         messages, loaded_summary = await _load_message_history(chat_id, message_id)
+        skill_settings = await get_skill_settings()
         skill_authoring_allowed = _has_prior_real_chat_content(messages, loaded_summary)
+        skill_create_denial_reason = "empty_chat"
+        if not skill_settings["enabled"] or not skill_settings["tool_enabled"]:
+            skill_authoring_allowed = False
+            skill_create_denial_reason = "disabled"
         skill_create_requested = _apply_skills_create_prompt(
-            messages, allowed=skill_authoring_allowed
+            messages, allowed=skill_authoring_allowed, denial_reason=skill_create_denial_reason
         )
         memory_message, memory_files = _memory_recall_inputs(messages, regeneration_prompt)
         system = await _load_system_prompt(
@@ -1720,9 +1741,14 @@ async def run_chat_task(
             chat_models_config = {}
         builtin_tools = resolve_builtin_tools_config(chat_models_config, model, configured_model)
         messages, loaded_summary = await _load_message_history(chat_id, message_id)
+        skill_settings = await get_skill_settings()
         skill_authoring_allowed = _has_prior_real_chat_content(messages, loaded_summary)
+        skill_create_denial_reason = "empty_chat"
+        if not skill_settings["enabled"] or not skill_settings["tool_enabled"]:
+            skill_authoring_allowed = False
+            skill_create_denial_reason = "disabled"
         skill_create_requested = _apply_skills_create_prompt(
-            messages, allowed=skill_authoring_allowed
+            messages, allowed=skill_authoring_allowed, denial_reason=skill_create_denial_reason
         )
         memory_message, memory_files = _memory_recall_inputs(messages, regeneration_prompt)
         system = await _load_system_prompt(
@@ -1742,7 +1768,7 @@ async def run_chat_task(
             tools = [t for t in tools if t["name"] != "manage_skill"]
 
         # Remove view_skill tool if no skills are available
-        skills = discover_skills(workspace)
+        skills = discover_skills(workspace) if skill_settings["enabled"] else []
         if not skills:
             tools = [t for t in tools if t["name"] != "view_skill"]
 
diff --git a/cptr/utils/prompt_templates.py b/cptr/utils/prompt_templates.py
index 8d82e95..e3fb559 100644
--- a/cptr/utils/prompt_templates.py
+++ b/cptr/utils/prompt_templates.py
@@ -208,7 +208,12 @@ def _render_system_template(template: str, variables: dict[str, str]) -> str:
     return re.sub(r"\n{3,}", "\n\n", rendered).strip()
 
 
-def _build_template_variables(workspace: str, model: str = "", memory: str = "") -> dict[str, str]:
+def _build_template_variables(
+    workspace: str,
+    model: str = "",
+    memory: str = "",
+    skills_enabled: bool = True,
+) -> dict[str, str]:
     """Build the dict of template variable values for the current context."""
     ws_path = Path(workspace)
     os_name = platform.system().replace("Darwin", "macOS")
@@ -225,8 +230,7 @@ def _build_template_variables(workspace: str, model: str = "", memory: str = "")
     else:
         instructions_block = ""
 
-    skills = discover_skills(workspace)
-    skills_block = build_catalog_xml(skills)
+    skills_block = build_catalog_xml(discover_skills(workspace)) if skills_enabled else ""
 
     return {
         "WORKSPACE_NAME": ws_path.name if ws_path.is_dir() else "",
@@ -310,5 +314,10 @@ async def load_system_prompt(
     if memory and "{{MEMORY}}" not in template:
         template = template.rstrip() + "\n\n{{MEMORY}}"
 
-    variables = _build_template_variables(workspace, model, memory)
+    try:
+        skills_enabled = (await Config.get("skills.enabled")) not in (False, "false", "0")
+    except Exception:
+        skills_enabled = True
+
+    variables = _build_template_variables(workspace, model, memory, skills_enabled)
     return _render_system_template(template, variables)
diff --git a/cptr/utils/skills.py b/cptr/utils/skills.py
index bbd4510..4150bb6 100644
--- a/cptr/utils/skills.py
+++ b/cptr/utils/skills.py
@@ -50,6 +50,8 @@ MANAGED_WORKSPACE_SKILL_DIR = ".cptr/skills"
 MANAGED_GLOBAL_SKILL_DIR = Path.home() / ".cptr" / "skills"
 ALLOWED_BUNDLE_DIRS = {"references", "templates", "scripts", "assets"}
 DEFAULT_SKILL_SETTINGS: dict[str, Any] = {
+    "enabled": True,
+    "tool_enabled": True,
     "background_review_enabled": True,
     "review_interval_turns": 10,
 }
@@ -712,6 +714,8 @@ async def get_skill_settings() -> dict[str, Any]:
         settings["review_interval_turns"] = max(1, int(settings["review_interval_turns"]))
     except (TypeError, ValueError):
         settings["review_interval_turns"] = DEFAULT_SKILL_SETTINGS["review_interval_turns"]
+    settings["enabled"] = settings.get("enabled") not in (False, "false", "0")
+    settings["tool_enabled"] = settings.get("tool_enabled") not in (False, "false", "0")
     settings["background_review_enabled"] = settings.get("background_review_enabled") not in (
         False,
         "false",
@@ -744,7 +748,11 @@ async def review_skills_after_turn(
     ):
         return
     settings = await get_skill_settings()
-    if not settings["background_review_enabled"]:
+    if (
+        not settings["enabled"]
+        or not settings["tool_enabled"]
+        or not settings["background_review_enabled"]
+    ):
         return
     if not tool_names and not skill_create_requested and not loaded_skill_names:
         return
diff --git a/cptr/utils/tools.py b/cptr/utils/tools.py
index d10293b..eba3411 100644
--- a/cptr/utils/tools.py
+++ b/cptr/utils/tools.py
@@ -1611,8 +1611,12 @@ async def view_skill(
     """Load the full instructions and resource listing for an available skill.
     :param skill_name: The name of the skill to load (from the <available_skills> catalog).
     """
+    from cptr.models import Config
     from cptr.utils.skills import bump_skill_view, load_skill, format_skill_content
 
+    if (await Config.get("skills.enabled")) in (False, "false", "0"):
+        return "Error: skills are disabled by the administrator."
+
     # Deduplication: if already activated, return short notice
     if skill_name in _activated_skills:
         return f"Skill '{skill_name}' is already loaded in this session. Refer to the existing <skill_content> above."
@@ -1654,6 +1658,15 @@ async def manage_skill(
         update_managed_skill,
         write_managed_skill_file,
     )
+    from cptr.models import Config
+
+    if (await Config.get("skills.enabled")) in (False, "false", "0"):
+        return json.dumps({"success": False, "error": "skills are disabled"}, ensure_ascii=False)
+    if (await Config.get("skills.tool_enabled")) in (False, "false", "0"):
+        return json.dumps(
+            {"success": False, "error": "skill management is disabled"},
+            ensure_ascii=False,
+        )
 
     workspace = __context__.get("workspace", "")
     try:
@@ -2852,6 +2865,17 @@ async def get_tool_list(builtin_tools: dict | None = None) -> list[dict]:
         memory_enabled = (await Config.get("memory.enabled")) not in (False, "false", "0")
         if not memory_enabled:
             tools.pop("update_memory", None)
+        skills_enabled = (await Config.get("skills.enabled")) not in (False, "false", "0")
+        skills_tool_enabled = (await Config.get("skills.tool_enabled")) not in (
+            False,
+            "false",
+            "0",
+        )
+        if not skills_enabled:
+            tools.pop("view_skill", None)
+            tools.pop("manage_skill", None)
+        elif not skills_tool_enabled:
+            tools.pop("manage_skill", None)
         if (await Config.get("browser.enabled")) in (True, "true", "1"):
             tools.update(BROWSER_TOOLS)
         if (await Config.get("subagents.enabled")) in (True, "true", "1"):