# skills The CLI for the open agent skills ecosystem. Supports **OpenCode**, **Claude Code**, **Codex**, **Cursor**, and [51 more](#supported-agents). [![skills.sh](https://skills.sh/b/vercel-labs/skills)](https://skills.sh/vercel-labs/skills) ## Install a Skill ```bash npx skills add vercel-labs/agent-skills ``` ### Source Formats ```bash # GitHub shorthand (owner/repo) npx skills add vercel-labs/agent-skills # Full GitHub URL npx skills add https://github.com/vercel-labs/agent-skills # Direct path to a skill in a repo npx skills add https://github.com/vercel-labs/agent-skills/tree/main/skills/web-design-guidelines # GitLab URL npx skills add https://gitlab.com/org/repo # Any git URL npx skills add git@github.com:vercel-labs/agent-skills.git # Local path npx skills add ./my-local-skills ``` ### Options | Option | Description | | ------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | `-g, --global` | Install to user directory instead of project | | `-a, --agent ` | Target specific agents (e.g., `claude-code`, `codex`). See [Supported Agents](#supported-agents) | | `-s, --skill ` | Install specific skills by name (use `'*'` for all skills) | | `-l, --list` | List available skills without installing | | `--copy` | Copy files instead of symlinking to agent directories | | `-y, --yes` | Skip all confirmation prompts | | `--all` | Install all skills to all agents without prompts | ### Examples ```bash # List skills in a repository npx skills add vercel-labs/agent-skills --list # Install specific skills npx skills add vercel-labs/agent-skills --skill frontend-design --skill skill-creator # Install a skill with spaces in the name (must be quoted) npx skills add owner/repo --skill "Convex Best Practices" # Install to specific agents npx skills add vercel-labs/agent-skills -a claude-code -a opencode # Non-interactive installation (CI/CD friendly) npx skills add vercel-labs/agent-skills --skill frontend-design -g -a claude-code -y # Install all skills from a repo to all agents npx skills add vercel-labs/agent-skills --all # Install all skills to specific agents npx skills add vercel-labs/agent-skills --skill '*' -a claude-code # Install specific skills to all agents npx skills add vercel-labs/agent-skills --agent '*' --skill frontend-design ``` ### Installation Scope | Scope | Flag | Location | Use Case | | ----------- | --------- | ------------------- | --------------------------------------------- | | **Project** | (default) | `.//skills/` | Committed with your project, shared with team | | **Global** | `-g` | `~//skills/` | Available across all projects | ### Installation Methods When installing interactively, you can choose: | Method | Description | | ------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | **Symlink** (Recommended) | Creates symlinks from each agent to a canonical copy. Single source of truth, easy updates. | | **Copy** | Creates independent copies for each agent. Use when symlinks aren't supported. | ## Other Commands | Command | Description | | ---------------------------- | --------------------------------------------- | | `npx skills list` | List installed skills (alias: `ls`) | | `npx skills find [query]` | Search for skills interactively or by keyword | | `npx skills remove [skills]` | Remove installed skills from agents | | `npx skills update [skills]` | Update installed skills to latest versions | | `npx skills init [name]` | Create a new SKILL.md template | ### `skills list` List all installed skills. Similar to `npm ls`. ```bash # List all installed skills (project and global) npx skills list # List only global skills npx skills ls -g # Filter by specific agents npx skills ls -a claude-code -a cursor ``` ### `skills find` Search for skills interactively or by keyword. ```bash # Interactive search (fzf-style) npx skills find # Search by keyword npx skills find typescript ``` ### `skills update` ```bash # Update all skills (interactive scope prompt) npx skills update # Update a single skill by name npx skills update my-skill # Update multiple specific skills npx skills update frontend-design web-design-guidelines # Update only global or project skills npx skills update -g npx skills update -p # Non-interactive (auto-detects scope: project if in a project, else global) npx skills update -y ``` | Option | Description | | --------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | `-g, --global` | Only update global skills | | `-p, --project` | Only update project skills | | `-y, --yes` | Skip scope prompt (auto-detect: project if in a project dir, else global) | | `[skills...]` | Update specific skills by name instead of all | ### `skills init` ```bash # Create SKILL.md in current directory npx skills init # Create a new skill in a subdirectory npx skills init my-skill ``` ### `skills remove` Remove installed skills from agents. ```bash # Remove interactively (select from installed skills) npx skills remove # Remove specific skill by name npx skills remove web-design-guidelines # Remove multiple skills npx skills remove frontend-design web-design-guidelines # Remove from global scope npx skills remove --global web-design-guidelines # Remove from specific agents only npx skills remove --agent claude-code cursor my-skill # Remove all installed skills without confirmation npx skills remove --all # Remove all skills from a specific agent npx skills remove --skill '*' -a cursor # Remove a specific skill from all agents npx skills remove my-skill --agent '*' # Use 'rm' alias npx skills rm my-skill ``` | Option | Description | | -------------- | ------------------------------------------------ | | `-g, --global` | Remove from global scope (~/) instead of project | | `-a, --agent` | Remove from specific agents (use `'*'` for all) | | `-s, --skill` | Specify skills to remove (use `'*'` for all) | | `-y, --yes` | Skip confirmation prompts | | `--all` | Shorthand for `--skill '*' --agent '*' -y` | ## What are Agent Skills? Agent skills are reusable instruction sets that extend your coding agent's capabilities. They're defined in `SKILL.md` files with YAML frontmatter containing a `name` and `description`. Skills let agents perform specialized tasks like: - Generating release notes from git history - Creating PRs following your team's conventions - Integrating with external tools (Linear, Notion, etc.) Discover skills at **[skills.sh](https://skills.sh)** ## Supported Agents Skills can be installed to any of these agents: | Agent | `--agent` | Project Path | Global Path | | ------------------------------------- | ---------------------------------------- | ------------------------ | ------------------------------- | | AiderDesk | `aider-desk` | `.aider-desk/skills/` | `~/.aider-desk/skills/` | | Amp, Kimi Code CLI, Replit, Universal | `amp`, `kimi-cli`, `replit`, `universal` | `.agents/skills/` | `~/.config/agents/skills/` | | Antigravity | `antigravity` | `.agents/skills/` | `~/.gemini/antigravity/skills/` | | Augment | `augment` | `.augment/skills/` | `~/.augment/skills/` | | IBM Bob | `bob` | `.bob/skills/` | `~/.bob/skills/` | | Claude Code | `claude-code` | `.claude/skills/` | `~/.claude/skills/` | | OpenClaw | `openclaw` | `skills/` | `~/.openclaw/skills/` | | Cline, Dexto, Warp | `cline`, `dexto`, `warp` | `.agents/skills/` | `~/.agents/skills/` | | CodeArts Agent | `codearts-agent` | `.codeartsdoer/skills/` | `~/.codeartsdoer/skills/` | | CodeBuddy | `codebuddy` | `.codebuddy/skills/` | `~/.codebuddy/skills/` | | Codemaker | `codemaker` | `.codemaker/skills/` | `~/.codemaker/skills/` | | Code Studio | `codestudio` | `.codestudio/skills/` | `~/.codestudio/skills/` | | Codex | `codex` | `.agents/skills/` | `~/.codex/skills/` | | Command Code | `command-code` | `.commandcode/skills/` | `~/.commandcode/skills/` | | Continue | `continue` | `.continue/skills/` | `~/.continue/skills/` | | Cortex Code | `cortex` | `.cortex/skills/` | `~/.snowflake/cortex/skills/` | | Crush | `crush` | `.crush/skills/` | `~/.config/crush/skills/` | | Cursor | `cursor` | `.agents/skills/` | `~/.cursor/skills/` | | Deep Agents | `deepagents` | `.agents/skills/` | `~/.deepagents/agent/skills/` | | Devin for Terminal | `devin` | `.devin/skills/` | `~/.config/devin/skills/` | | Droid | `droid` | `.factory/skills/` | `~/.factory/skills/` | | Firebender | `firebender` | `.agents/skills/` | `~/.firebender/skills/` | | ForgeCode | `forgecode` | `.forge/skills/` | `~/.forge/skills/` | | Gemini CLI | `gemini-cli` | `.agents/skills/` | `~/.gemini/skills/` | | GitHub Copilot | `github-copilot` | `.agents/skills/` | `~/.copilot/skills/` | | Goose | `goose` | `.goose/skills/` | `~/.config/goose/skills/` | | Hermes Agent | `hermes-agent` | `.hermes/skills/` | `~/.hermes/skills/` | | Junie | `junie` | `.junie/skills/` | `~/.junie/skills/` | | iFlow CLI | `iflow-cli` | `.iflow/skills/` | `~/.iflow/skills/` | | Kilo Code | `kilo` | `.kilocode/skills/` | `~/.kilocode/skills/` | | Kiro CLI | `kiro-cli` | `.kiro/skills/` | `~/.kiro/skills/` | | Kode | `kode` | `.kode/skills/` | `~/.kode/skills/` | | MCPJam | `mcpjam` | `.mcpjam/skills/` | `~/.mcpjam/skills/` | | Mistral Vibe | `mistral-vibe` | `.vibe/skills/` | `~/.vibe/skills/` | | Mux | `mux` | `.mux/skills/` | `~/.mux/skills/` | | OpenCode | `opencode` | `.agents/skills/` | `~/.config/opencode/skills/` | | OpenHands | `openhands` | `.openhands/skills/` | `~/.openhands/skills/` | | Pi | `pi` | `.pi/skills/` | `~/.pi/agent/skills/` | | Qoder | `qoder` | `.qoder/skills/` | `~/.qoder/skills/` | | Qwen Code | `qwen-code` | `.qwen/skills/` | `~/.qwen/skills/` | | Rovo Dev | `rovodev` | `.rovodev/skills/` | `~/.rovodev/skills/` | | Roo Code | `roo` | `.roo/skills/` | `~/.roo/skills/` | | Tabnine CLI | `tabnine-cli` | `.tabnine/agent/skills/` | `~/.tabnine/agent/skills/` | | Trae | `trae` | `.trae/skills/` | `~/.trae/skills/` | | Trae CN | `trae-cn` | `.trae/skills/` | `~/.trae-cn/skills/` | | Windsurf | `windsurf` | `.windsurf/skills/` | `~/.codeium/windsurf/skills/` | | Zencoder | `zencoder` | `.zencoder/skills/` | `~/.zencoder/skills/` | | Neovate | `neovate` | `.neovate/skills/` | `~/.neovate/skills/` | | Pochi | `pochi` | `.pochi/skills/` | `~/.pochi/skills/` | | AdaL | `adal` | `.adal/skills/` | `~/.adal/skills/` | > [!NOTE] > **Kiro CLI users:** The default agent automatically loads skills from `.kiro/skills/` and `~/.kiro/skills/` — no > configuration needed. If you use a **custom agent**, add skills to its `resources` in `.kiro/agents/.json`: > > ```json > { > "resources": ["skill://.kiro/skills/**/SKILL.md"] > } > ``` The CLI automatically detects which coding agents you have installed. If none are detected, you'll be prompted to select which agents to install to. ## Creating Skills Skills are directories containing a `SKILL.md` file with YAML frontmatter: ```markdown --- name: my-skill description: What this skill does and when to use it --- # My Skill Instructions for the agent to follow when this skill is activated. ## When to Use Describe the scenarios where this skill should be used. ## Steps 1. First, do this 2. Then, do that ``` ### Required Fields - `name`: Unique identifier (lowercase, hyphens allowed) - `description`: Brief explanation of what the skill does ### Optional Fields - `metadata.internal`: Set to `true` to hide the skill from normal discovery. Internal skills are only visible and installable when `INSTALL_INTERNAL_SKILLS=1` is set. Useful for work-in-progress skills or skills meant only for internal tooling. ```markdown --- name: my-internal-skill description: An internal skill not shown by default metadata: internal: true --- ``` ### Skill Discovery The CLI searches for skills in these locations within a repository: - Root directory (if it contains `SKILL.md`) - `skills/` - `skills/.curated/` - `skills/.experimental/` - `skills/.system/` - `.aider-desk/skills/` - `.agents/skills/` - `.augment/skills/` - `.bob/skills/` - `.claude/skills/` - `.codeartsdoer/skills/` - `.codebuddy/skills/` - `.codemaker/skills/` - `.codestudio/skills/` - `.commandcode/skills/` - `.continue/skills/` - `.cortex/skills/` - `.crush/skills/` - `.devin/skills/` - `.factory/skills/` - `.forge/skills/` - `.goose/skills/` - `.hermes/skills/` - `.junie/skills/` - `.iflow/skills/` - `.kilocode/skills/` - `.kiro/skills/` - `.kode/skills/` - `.mcpjam/skills/` - `.vibe/skills/` - `.mux/skills/` - `.openhands/skills/` - `.pi/skills/` - `.qoder/skills/` - `.qwen/skills/` - `.rovodev/skills/` - `.roo/skills/` - `.tabnine/agent/skills/` - `.trae/skills/` - `.windsurf/skills/` - `.zencoder/skills/` - `.neovate/skills/` - `.pochi/skills/` - `.adal/skills/` ### Plugin Manifest Discovery If `.claude-plugin/marketplace.json` or `.claude-plugin/plugin.json` exists, skills declared in those files are also discovered: ```json // .claude-plugin/marketplace.json { "metadata": { "pluginRoot": "./plugins" }, "plugins": [ { "name": "my-plugin", "source": "my-plugin", "skills": ["./skills/review", "./skills/test"] } ] } ``` This enables compatibility with the [Claude Code plugin marketplace](https://code.claude.com/docs/en/plugin-marketplaces) ecosystem. If no skills are found in standard locations, a recursive search is performed. ## Compatibility Skills are generally compatible across agents since they follow a shared [Agent Skills specification](https://agentskills.io). However, some features may be agent-specific: | Feature | OpenCode | OpenHands | Claude Code | Cline | CodeBuddy | Codex | Command Code | Kiro CLI | Cursor | Antigravity | Roo Code | Github Copilot | Amp | OpenClaw | Neovate | Pi | Qoder | Zencoder | | --------------- | -------- | --------- | ----------- | ----- | --------- | ----- | ------------ | -------- | ------ | ----------- | -------- | -------------- | --- | -------- | ------- | --- | ----- | -------- | | Basic skills | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | | `allowed-tools` | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | | `context: fork` | No | No | Yes | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | | Hooks | No | No | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | Yes | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | ## Troubleshooting ### "No skills found" Ensure the repository contains valid `SKILL.md` files with both `name` and `description` in the frontmatter. ### Skill not loading in agent - Verify the skill was installed to the correct path - Check the agent's documentation for skill loading requirements - Ensure the `SKILL.md` frontmatter is valid YAML ### Permission errors Ensure you have write access to the target directory. ## Environment Variables | Variable | Description | | ------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | `INSTALL_INTERNAL_SKILLS` | Set to `1` or `true` to show and install skills marked as `internal: true` | | `DISABLE_TELEMETRY` | Set to disable anonymous usage telemetry | | `DO_NOT_TRACK` | Alternative way to disable telemetry | ```bash # Install internal skills INSTALL_INTERNAL_SKILLS=1 npx skills add vercel-labs/agent-skills --list ``` ## Telemetry This CLI collects anonymous usage data to help improve the tool. No personal information is collected. Telemetry is automatically disabled in CI environments. ## Related Links - [Agent Skills Specification](https://agentskills.io) - [Skills Directory](https://skills.sh) - [Amp Skills Documentation](https://ampcode.com/manual#agent-skills) - [Antigravity Skills Documentation](https://antigravity.google/docs/skills) - [Factory AI / Droid Skills Documentation](https://docs.factory.ai/cli/configuration/skills) - [Claude Code Skills Documentation](https://code.claude.com/docs/en/skills) - [OpenClaw Skills Documentation](https://docs.openclaw.ai/tools/skills) - [Cline Skills Documentation](https://docs.cline.bot/features/skills) - [CodeBuddy Skills Documentation](https://www.codebuddy.ai/docs/ide/Features/Skills) - [Codex Skills Documentation](https://developers.openai.com/codex/skills) - [Command Code Skills Documentation](https://commandcode.ai/docs/skills) - [Crush Skills Documentation](https://github.com/charmbracelet/crush?tab=readme-ov-file#agent-skills) - [Cursor Skills Documentation](https://cursor.com/docs/context/skills) - [Firebender Skills Documentation](https://docs.firebender.com/multi-agent/skills) - [Gemini CLI Skills Documentation](https://geminicli.com/docs/cli/skills/) - [GitHub Copilot Agent Skills](https://docs.github.com/en/copilot/concepts/agents/about-agent-skills) - [iFlow CLI Skills Documentation](https://platform.iflow.cn/en/cli/examples/skill) - [Kimi Code CLI Skills Documentation](https://moonshotai.github.io/kimi-cli/en/customization/skills.html) - [Kiro CLI Skills Documentation](https://kiro.dev/docs/cli/custom-agents/configuration-reference/#skill-resources) - [Kode Skills Documentation](https://github.com/shareAI-lab/kode/blob/main/docs/skills.md) - [OpenCode Skills Documentation](https://opencode.ai/docs/skills) - [Qwen Code Skills Documentation](https://qwenlm.github.io/qwen-code-docs/en/users/features/skills/) - [OpenHands Skills Documentation](https://docs.openhands.ai/modules/usage/how-to/using-skills) - [Pi Skills Documentation](https://github.com/badlogic/pi-mono/blob/main/packages/coding-agent/docs/skills.md) - [Qoder Skills Documentation](https://docs.qoder.com/cli/Skills) - [Replit Skills Documentation](https://docs.replit.com/replitai/skills) - [Roo Code Skills Documentation](https://docs.roocode.com/features/skills) - [Trae Skills Documentation](https://docs.trae.ai/ide/skills) - [Vercel Agent Skills Repository](https://github.com/vercel-labs/agent-skills) ## License MIT