diff --git a/agent/skills/manager.py b/agent/skills/manager.py
index 5cf5735..69e3b34 100644
--- a/agent/skills/manager.py
+++ b/agent/skills/manager.py
@@ -100,6 +100,7 @@ class SkillManager:
                 "description": skill.description,
                 "source": skill.source,
                 "enabled": prev.get("enabled", True),
+                **( {"category": prev["category"]} if "category" in prev else {} ),
             }
 
         self.skills_config = merged
diff --git a/agent/skills/service.py b/agent/skills/service.py
index 8aa6ca0..730449e 100644
--- a/agent/skills/service.py
+++ b/agent/skills/service.py
@@ -94,6 +94,13 @@ class SkillService:
 
         # Reload to pick up the new skill and sync config
         self.manager.refresh_skills()
+
+        # Persist category from payload into skills_config only when provided
+        category = payload.get("category")
+        if category and name in self.manager.skills_config:
+            self.manager.skills_config[name]["category"] = category
+            self.manager._save_skills_config()
+
         logger.info(f"[SkillService] add: skill '{name}' installed ({len(files)} files)")
 
     # ------------------------------------------------------------------