Claude Code Skills vs MCP Servers — What to Use, How to Install, and the Best Ones in 2026

Claude Code has two main extension systems: skills (Markdown files) and MCP servers (protocol-based tools). Both make Claude Code more powerful, but they work differently and are best for different use cases. This guide covers what each one does, when to use which, how to install them, and the best ones I've found after months of daily use. What Are Claude Code Skills? Skills are Markdown files ( .md ) that you drop into .claude/commands/ in your project. They teach Claude Code how to perform specific tasks — no server, no API, no dependencies. # Install a skill from TokRepo npx tokrepo install <skill-name> # Or manually: just copy a .md file into .claude/commands/ When you type /skillname in Claude Code, it loads the instructions from that file and follows them. Best for: code review workflows, commit conventions, testing patterns, project-specific rules. What Are MCP Servers? MCP (Model Context Protocol) servers are standalone programs that expose tools, resources, and prompts to Cla