fix: preserve metadata-only agent skills

Co-authored-by: Greyson LaLonde <greyson.r.lalonde@gmail.com>

lib/crewai/src/crewai/agent/core.py

@@ -394,15 +394,17 @@ class Agent(BaseAgent):
         self,
         resolved_crew_skills: list[SkillModel] | None = None,
     ) -> None:
-        """Resolve skill paths and activate skills to INSTRUCTIONS level.
+        """Resolve skill paths while preserving explicit disclosure levels.
 
-        Path entries trigger discovery and activation. Pre-loaded Skill objects
-        below INSTRUCTIONS level are activated. Crew-level skills are merged in
-        with event emission so observability is consistent regardless of origin.
+        Path entries trigger discovery and activation because directory-based
+        skills opt into eager loading. Pre-loaded Skill objects keep their
+        current disclosure level so callers can attach METADATA-only skills and
+        progressively activate them later. Crew-level skills are merged in with
+        event emission so observability is consistent regardless of origin.
 
         Args:
-            resolved_crew_skills: Pre-resolved crew skills (already discovered
-                and activated). When provided, avoids redundant discovery per agent.
+            resolved_crew_skills: Pre-resolved crew skills. When provided,
+                avoids redundant discovery per agent.
         """
         from crewai.crew import Crew
 
@@ -443,8 +445,7 @@ class Agent(BaseAgent):
             elif isinstance(item, SkillModel):
                 if item.name not in seen:
                     seen.add(item.name)
-                    activated = activate_skill(item, source=self)
-                    if activated is item and item.disclosure_level >= INSTRUCTIONS:
+                    if item.disclosure_level >= INSTRUCTIONS:
                         crewai_event_bus.emit(
                             self,
                             event=SkillActivatedEvent(
@@ -454,7 +455,7 @@ class Agent(BaseAgent):
                                 disclosure_level=item.disclosure_level,
                             ),
                         )
-                    resolved.append(activated)
+                    resolved.append(item)
 
         self.skills = resolved if resolved else None
 

lib/crewai/tests/skills/test_integration.py

@@ -4,6 +4,8 @@ from pathlib import Path
 
 import pytest
 
+from crewai import Agent
+from crewai.agent.utils import append_skill_context
 from crewai.skills.loader import activate_skill, discover_skills, format_skill_context
 from crewai.skills.models import INSTRUCTIONS, METADATA
 
@@ -76,3 +78,23 @@ class TestSkillDiscoveryAndActivation:
             all_skills.extend(discover_skills(search_path))
         names = {s.name for s in all_skills}
         assert names == {"skill-a", "skill-b"}
+
+    def test_agent_preserves_metadata_for_discovered_skills(self, tmp_path: Path) -> None:
+        _create_skill_dir(tmp_path, "travel", body="Use this skill for travel planning.")
+        discovered = discover_skills(tmp_path)
+
+        agent = Agent(
+            role="Travel Advisor",
+            goal="Provide personalized travel suggestions.",
+            backstory="An experienced travel consultant.",
+            skills=discovered,
+        )
+
+        assert agent.skills is not None
+        assert agent.skills[0].disclosure_level == METADATA
+        assert agent.skills[0].instructions is None
+
+        prompt = append_skill_context(agent, "Plan a 10-day Japan itinerary.")
+        assert "## Skill: travel" in prompt
+        assert "Skill travel" in prompt
+        assert "Use this skill for travel planning." not in prompt