diff --git a/backend/open_webui/utils/middleware.py b/backend/open_webui/utils/middleware.py
index 55a70b1291..f3e2a7a704 100644
--- a/backend/open_webui/utils/middleware.py
+++ b/backend/open_webui/utils/middleware.py
@@ -2693,41 +2693,49 @@ async def process_chat_payload(request, form_data, user, metadata, model):
     # Otherwise, save any tools that filter inlets added for merging later.
     inlet_filter_tools = None if payload_tools is not None else form_data.get('tools', None)
 
-    # Skills — extract IDs from message content (<$skillId|label> tags) so
-    # persisted chats work without relying on the frontend to send skill_ids.
-    user_skill_ids = set(form_data.pop('skill_ids', None) or [])
-    user_skill_ids |= extract_skill_ids_from_messages(form_data.get('messages', []))
-    model_skill_ids = set(model.get('info', {}).get('meta', {}).get('skillIds', []))
-
-    all_skill_ids = user_skill_ids | model_skill_ids
+    # Mentioned skills get full content; selected/default skills can be loaded through view_skill.
+    mentioned_skill_ids = extract_skill_ids_from_messages(form_data.get('messages', []))
+    skill_ids = (
+        set(form_data.pop('skill_ids', None) or [])
+        | set(model.get('info', {}).get('meta', {}).get('skillIds', []))
+        | mentioned_skill_ids
+    )
     available_skills = []
-    if all_skill_ids:
+    view_skill_ids = []
+    use_builtin_tools = (
+        bool(metadata.get('session_id'))
+        and metadata.get('params', {}).get('function_calling') != 'legacy'
+        and (model.get('info', {}).get('meta', {}).get('capabilities') or {}).get('builtin_tools', True)
+    )
+
+    if skill_ids:
         from open_webui.models.skills import Skills as SkillsModel
 
         accessible_skill_ids = {s.id for s in await SkillsModel.get_skills_by_user_id(user.id, 'read')}
-        available_skills = []
-        for sid in all_skill_ids:
+        for sid in skill_ids:
             if sid in accessible_skill_ids:
                 s = await SkillsModel.get_skill_by_id(sid)
                 if s and s.is_active:
                     available_skills.append(s)
 
-        skill_descriptions = ''
+        skill_manifest = ''
         for skill in available_skills:
-            if skill.id in user_skill_ids:
-                # User-selected: inject full content
+            if skill.id in mentioned_skill_ids or not use_builtin_tools:
                 form_data['messages'] = add_or_update_system_message(
                     f'<skill name="{skill.name}">\n{skill.content}\n</skill>',
                     form_data['messages'],
                     append=True,
                 )
             else:
-                # Model-attached: name+description only
-                skill_descriptions += f'<skill>\n<id>{skill.id}</id>\n<name>{skill.name}</name>\n<description>{skill.description or ""}</description>\n</skill>\n'
+                view_skill_ids.append(skill.id)
+                skill_manifest += (
+                    f'<skill>\n<id>{skill.id}</id>\n<name>{skill.name}</name>\n'
+                    f'<description>{skill.description or ""}</description>\n</skill>\n'
+                )
 
-        if skill_descriptions:
+        if skill_manifest:
             form_data['messages'] = add_or_update_system_message(
-                f'<available_skills>\n{skill_descriptions}</available_skills>',
+                f'<available_skills>\n{skill_manifest}</available_skills>',
                 form_data['messages'],
                 append=True,
             )
@@ -2916,11 +2924,7 @@ async def process_chat_payload(request, form_data, user, metadata, model):
         # Inject builtin tools for native function calling based on enabled features and model capability.
         # Only inject when the request originates from the UI (identified by session_id).
         # API callers don't expect hidden tools; they can explicitly request tools via tool_ids.
-        builtin_tools_enabled = (model.get('info', {}).get('meta', {}).get('capabilities') or {}).get(
-            'builtin_tools', True
-        )
-        has_session = bool(metadata.get('session_id'))
-        if has_session and metadata.get('params', {}).get('function_calling') != 'legacy' and builtin_tools_enabled:
+        if use_builtin_tools:
             # Add file context to user messages
             chat_id = metadata.get('chat_id')
             form_data['messages'] = await add_file_context(form_data.get('messages', []), chat_id, user)
@@ -2929,7 +2933,7 @@ async def process_chat_payload(request, form_data, user, metadata, model):
                 {
                     **extra_params,
                     '__event_emitter__': event_emitter,
-                    '__skill_ids__': [s.id for s in available_skills if s.id not in user_skill_ids],
+                    '__skill_ids__': view_skill_ids,
                 },
                 features,
                 model,