diff --git a/main/CMakeLists.txt b/main/CMakeLists.txt
index 91cb174..3c7fcb9 100644
--- a/main/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/main/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -26,9 +26,7 @@ idf_component_register(
         "tools/tool_web_search.c"
         "tools/tool_get_time.c"
         "tools/tool_files.c"
-        "tools/tool_cron.c"
-        "cron/cron_service.c"
-        "heartbeat/heartbeat.c"
+        "skills/skill_loader.c"
     INCLUDE_DIRS
         "."
     EMBED_FILES
diff --git a/main/agent/context_builder.c b/main/agent/context_builder.c
index 7365f7e..2dfb6c7 100644
--- a/main/agent/context_builder.c
+++ b/main/agent/context_builder.c
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 #include "context_builder.h"
 #include "mimi_config.h"
 #include "memory/memory_store.h"
+#include "skills/skill_loader.h"
 
 #include <stdio.h>
 #include <string.h>
@@ -59,11 +60,10 @@ esp_err_t context_build_system_prompt(char *buf, size_t size)
         "- Use get_current_time to know today's date before writing daily notes.\n"
         "- Keep MEMORY.md concise and organized — summarize, don't dump raw conversation.\n"
         "- You should proactively save memory without being asked. If the user tells you their name, preferences, or important facts, persist them immediately.\n\n"
-        "## Heartbeat\n"
-        "The file /spiffs/config/HEARTBEAT.md contains periodic tasks.\n"
-        "When triggered by heartbeat, read the file and execute any pending tasks.\n"
-        "If nothing needs attention, reply with just: HEARTBEAT_OK\n"
-        "You can also write to HEARTBEAT.md to schedule tasks for yourself.\n");
+        "## Skills\n"
+        "Skills are specialized instruction files stored in /spiffs/skills/.\n"
+        "When a task matches a skill, read the full skill file for detailed instructions.\n"
+        "You can create new skills using write_file to /spiffs/skills/<name>.md.\n");
 
     /* Bootstrap files */
     off = append_file(buf, size, off, MIMI_SOUL_FILE, "Personality");
@@ -81,6 +81,16 @@ esp_err_t context_build_system_prompt(char *buf, size_t size)
         off += snprintf(buf + off, size - off, "\n## Recent Notes\n\n%s\n", recent_buf);
     }
 
+    /* Skills */
+    char skills_buf[2048];
+    size_t skills_len = skill_loader_build_summary(skills_buf, sizeof(skills_buf));
+    if (skills_len > 0) {
+        off += snprintf(buf + off, size - off,
+            "\n## Available Skills\n\n"
+            "Available skills (use read_file to load full instructions):\n%s\n",
+            skills_buf);
+    }
+
     ESP_LOGI(TAG, "System prompt built: %d bytes", (int)off);
     return ESP_OK;
 }
diff --git a/main/mimi.c b/main/mimi.c
index 770b52c..270c2ea 100644
--- a/main/mimi.c
+++ b/main/mimi.c
@@ -26,8 +26,7 @@
 #include "ui/config_screen.h"
 #include "imu/imu_manager.h"
 #include "rgb/rgb.h"
-#include "cron/cron_service.h"
-#include "heartbeat/heartbeat.h"
+#include "skills/skill_loader.h"
 
 static const char *TAG = "mimi";
 
@@ -122,6 +121,7 @@ void app_main(void)
     /* Initialize subsystems */
     ESP_ERROR_CHECK(message_bus_init());
     ESP_ERROR_CHECK(memory_store_init());
+    ESP_ERROR_CHECK(skill_loader_init());
     ESP_ERROR_CHECK(session_mgr_init());
     ESP_ERROR_CHECK(wifi_manager_init());
     ESP_ERROR_CHECK(http_proxy_init());
diff --git a/main/mimi_config.h b/main/mimi_config.h
index 9fcb2a8..d1920d2 100644
--- a/main/mimi_config.h
+++ b/main/mimi_config.h
@@ -84,14 +84,8 @@
 #define MIMI_CONTEXT_BUF_SIZE        (16 * 1024)
 #define MIMI_SESSION_MAX_MSGS        20
 
-/* Cron Service */
-#define MIMI_CRON_FILE               "/spiffs/config/cron.json"
-#define MIMI_CRON_CHECK_INTERVAL_MS  (30 * 1000)
-#define MIMI_CRON_MAX_JOBS           8
-
-/* Heartbeat */
-#define MIMI_HEARTBEAT_FILE          "/spiffs/config/HEARTBEAT.md"
-#define MIMI_HEARTBEAT_INTERVAL_MS   (30 * 60 * 1000)
+/* Skills */
+#define MIMI_SKILLS_PREFIX           "/spiffs/skills/"
 
 /* WebSocket Gateway */
 #define MIMI_WS_PORT                 18789
diff --git a/main/skills/skill_loader.c b/main/skills/skill_loader.c
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..b1cecd1
--- /dev/null
+++ b/main/skills/skill_loader.c
@@ -0,0 +1,265 @@
+#include "skills/skill_loader.h"
+#include "mimi_config.h"
+
+#include <stdio.h>
+#include <string.h>
+#include <dirent.h>
+#include "esp_log.h"
+
+static const char *TAG = "skills";
+
+/* ── Built-in skill contents ─────────────────────────────────── */
+
+static const char *BUILTIN_WEATHER =
+    "# Weather\n"
+    "\n"
+    "Get current weather and forecasts using web_search.\n"
+    "\n"
+    "## When to use\n"
+    "When the user asks about weather, temperature, or forecasts.\n"
+    "\n"
+    "## How to use\n"
+    "1. Use get_current_time to know the current date\n"
+    "2. Use web_search with a query like \"weather in [city] today\"\n"
+    "3. Extract temperature, conditions, and forecast from results\n"
+    "4. Present in a concise, friendly format\n"
+    "\n"
+    "## Example\n"
+    "User: \"What's the weather in Tokyo?\"\n"
+    "→ get_current_time\n"
+    "→ web_search \"weather Tokyo today February 2026\"\n"
+    "→ \"Tokyo: 8°C, partly cloudy. High 12°C, low 4°C. Light wind from the north.\"\n";
+
+static const char *BUILTIN_DAILY_BRIEFING =
+    "# Daily Briefing\n"
+    "\n"
+    "Compile a personalized daily briefing for the user.\n"
+    "\n"
+    "## When to use\n"
+    "When the user asks for a daily briefing, morning update, or \"what's new today\".\n"
+    "Also useful as a heartbeat/cron task.\n"
+    "\n"
+    "## How to use\n"
+    "1. Use get_current_time for today's date\n"
+    "2. Read /spiffs/memory/MEMORY.md for user preferences and context\n"
+    "3. Read today's daily note if it exists\n"
+    "4. Use web_search for relevant news based on user interests\n"
+    "5. Compile a concise briefing covering:\n"
+    "   - Date and time\n"
+    "   - Weather (if location known from USER.md)\n"
+    "   - Relevant news/updates based on user interests\n"
+    "   - Any pending tasks from memory\n"
+    "   - Any scheduled cron jobs\n"
+    "\n"
+    "## Format\n"
+    "Keep it brief — 5-10 bullet points max. Use the user's preferred language.\n";
+
+static const char *BUILTIN_SKILL_CREATOR =
+    "# Skill Creator\n"
+    "\n"
+    "Create new skills for MimiClaw.\n"
+    "\n"
+    "## When to use\n"
+    "When the user asks to create a new skill, teach the bot something, or add a new capability.\n"
+    "\n"
+    "## How to create a skill\n"
+    "1. Choose a short, descriptive name (lowercase, hyphens ok)\n"
+    "2. Write a SKILL.md file with this structure:\n"
+    "   - `# Title` — clear name\n"
+    "   - Brief description paragraph\n"
+    "   - `## When to use` — trigger conditions\n"
+    "   - `## How to use` — step-by-step instructions\n"
+    "   - `## Example` — concrete example (optional but helpful)\n"
+    "3. Save to `/spiffs/skills/<name>.md` using write_file\n"
+    "4. The skill will be automatically available after the next conversation\n"
+    "\n"
+    "## Best practices\n"
+    "- Keep skills concise — the context window is limited\n"
+    "- Focus on WHAT to do, not HOW (the agent is smart)\n"
+    "- Include specific tool calls the agent should use\n"
+    "- Test by asking the agent to use the new skill\n"
+    "\n"
+    "## Example\n"
+    "To create a \"translate\" skill:\n"
+    "write_file path=\"/spiffs/skills/translate.md\" content=\"# Translate\\n\\nTranslate text between languages.\\n\\n"
+    "## When to use\\nWhen the user asks to translate text.\\n\\n"
+    "## How to use\\n1. Identify source and target languages\\n"
+    "2. Translate directly using your language knowledge\\n"
+    "3. For specialized terms, use web_search to verify\\n\"\n";
+
+/* Built-in skill registry */
+typedef struct {
+    const char *filename;   /* e.g. "weather" */
+    const char *content;
+} builtin_skill_t;
+
+static const builtin_skill_t s_builtins[] = {
+    { "weather",        BUILTIN_WEATHER        },
+    { "daily-briefing", BUILTIN_DAILY_BRIEFING },
+    { "skill-creator",  BUILTIN_SKILL_CREATOR  },
+};
+
+#define NUM_BUILTINS (sizeof(s_builtins) / sizeof(s_builtins[0]))
+
+/* ── Install built-in skills if missing ──────────────────────── */
+
+static void install_builtin(const builtin_skill_t *skill)
+{
+    char path[64];
+    snprintf(path, sizeof(path), "%s%s.md", MIMI_SKILLS_PREFIX, skill->filename);
+
+    /* Check if already exists */
+    FILE *f = fopen(path, "r");
+    if (f) {
+        fclose(f);
+        ESP_LOGD(TAG, "Skill exists: %s", path);
+        return;
+    }
+
+    /* Write built-in skill */
+    f = fopen(path, "w");
+    if (!f) {
+        ESP_LOGE(TAG, "Cannot write skill: %s", path);
+        return;
+    }
+
+    fputs(skill->content, f);
+    fclose(f);
+    ESP_LOGI(TAG, "Installed built-in skill: %s", path);
+}
+
+esp_err_t skill_loader_init(void)
+{
+    ESP_LOGI(TAG, "Initializing skills system");
+
+    for (size_t i = 0; i < NUM_BUILTINS; i++) {
+        install_builtin(&s_builtins[i]);
+    }
+
+    ESP_LOGI(TAG, "Skills system ready (%d built-in)", (int)NUM_BUILTINS);
+    return ESP_OK;
+}
+
+/* ── Build skills summary for system prompt ──────────────────── */
+
+/**
+ * Parse first line as title: expects "# Title"
+ * Returns pointer past "# " or the line itself if no prefix.
+ */
+static const char *extract_title(const char *line, size_t len, char *out, size_t out_size)
+{
+    const char *start = line;
+    if (len >= 2 && line[0] == '#' && line[1] == ' ') {
+        start = line + 2;
+        len -= 2;
+    }
+
+    /* Trim trailing whitespace/newline */
+    while (len > 0 && (start[len - 1] == '\n' || start[len - 1] == '\r' || start[len - 1] == ' ')) {
+        len--;
+    }
+
+    size_t copy = len < out_size - 1 ? len : out_size - 1;
+    memcpy(out, start, copy);
+    out[copy] = '\0';
+    return out;
+}
+
+/**
+ * Extract description: text between the first line and the first blank line.
+ */
+static void extract_description(FILE *f, char *out, size_t out_size)
+{
+    size_t off = 0;
+    char line[256];
+
+    while (fgets(line, sizeof(line), f) && off < out_size - 1) {
+        size_t len = strlen(line);
+
+        /* Stop at blank line or section header */
+        if (len == 0 || (len == 1 && line[0] == '\n') ||
+            (len >= 2 && line[0] == '#' && line[1] == '#')) {
+            break;
+        }
+
+        /* Skip leading blank lines */
+        if (off == 0 && line[0] == '\n') continue;
+
+        /* Trim trailing newline for concatenation */
+        if (line[len - 1] == '\n') {
+            line[len - 1] = ' ';
+        }
+
+        size_t copy = len < out_size - off - 1 ? len : out_size - off - 1;
+        memcpy(out + off, line, copy);
+        off += copy;
+    }
+
+    /* Trim trailing space */
+    while (off > 0 && out[off - 1] == ' ') off--;
+    out[off] = '\0';
+}
+
+size_t skill_loader_build_summary(char *buf, size_t size)
+{
+    DIR *dir = opendir(MIMI_SPIFFS_BASE);
+    if (!dir) {
+        ESP_LOGW(TAG, "Cannot open SPIFFS for skill enumeration");
+        buf[0] = '\0';
+        return 0;
+    }
+
+    size_t off = 0;
+    struct dirent *ent;
+    /* SPIFFS readdir returns filenames relative to the mount point (e.g. "skills/weather.md").
+       We match entries that start with "skills/" and end with ".md". */
+    const char *skills_subdir = "skills/";
+    const size_t subdir_len = strlen(skills_subdir);
+
+    while ((ent = readdir(dir)) != NULL && off < size - 1) {
+        const char *name = ent->d_name;
+
+        /* Match files under skills/ with .md extension */
+        if (strncmp(name, skills_subdir, subdir_len) != 0) continue;
+
+        size_t name_len = strlen(name);
+        if (name_len < subdir_len + 4) continue;  /* at least "skills/x.md" */
+        if (strcmp(name + name_len - 3, ".md") != 0) continue;
+
+        /* Build full path */
+        char full_path[64];
+        snprintf(full_path, sizeof(full_path), "%s/%s", MIMI_SPIFFS_BASE, name);
+
+        /* Extract skill filename (without .md) for display */
+        const char *skill_name = name + subdir_len;
+
+        FILE *f = fopen(full_path, "r");
+        if (!f) continue;
+
+        /* Read first line for title */
+        char first_line[128];
+        if (!fgets(first_line, sizeof(first_line), f)) {
+            fclose(f);
+            continue;
+        }
+
+        char title[64];
+        extract_title(first_line, strlen(first_line), title, sizeof(title));
+
+        /* Read description (until blank line) */
+        char desc[256];
+        extract_description(f, desc, sizeof(desc));
+        fclose(f);
+
+        /* Append to summary */
+        off += snprintf(buf + off, size - off,
+            "- **%s**: %s (read with: read_file %s)\n",
+            title, desc, full_path);
+    }
+
+    closedir(dir);
+
+    buf[off] = '\0';
+    ESP_LOGI(TAG, "Skills summary: %d bytes", (int)off);
+    return off;
+}
diff --git a/main/skills/skill_loader.h b/main/skills/skill_loader.h
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..54759d4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/main/skills/skill_loader.h
@@ -0,0 +1,20 @@
+#pragma once
+
+#include "esp_err.h"
+#include <stddef.h>
+
+/**
+ * Initialize skills system.
+ * Installs built-in skill files to SPIFFS if they don't already exist.
+ */
+esp_err_t skill_loader_init(void);
+
+/**
+ * Build a summary of all available skills for the system prompt.
+ * Lists each skill with its title and description.
+ *
+ * @param buf   Output buffer
+ * @param size  Buffer size
+ * @return Number of bytes written (0 if no skills found)
+ */
+size_t skill_loader_build_summary(char *buf, size_t size);