skill-installer

name	skill-installer
description	Install and manage AI agent skills from Git repositories using the `npx skills add` command. Use this skill when users want to install skills from GitHub repositories or other Git sources, either installing a specific skill or all skills from a repository.
license	Complete terms in LICENSE.txt

Skill Installer

Overview

This skill enables installing AI agent skills from Git repositories using the npx skills add command. It provides guidance and automation for installing individual skills or entire skill repositories.

Installing Skills

Basic Usage

IMPORTANT: Always use the -y flag to skip confirmation prompts, and always install at project-level (never use -g).

To install a specific skill from a Git repository:

npx skills add GIT_REPO --skill SKILL_NAME -y

Example:

npx skills add https://github.com/doitian/skills-repo --skill skill-creator -y
npx skills add doitian/skills-repo -s skill-installer -y

To install all skills from a repository:

npx skills add GIT_REPO -y

Example:

npx skills add https://github.com/doitian/skills-repo -y

Command Options

The npx skills add command supports several options:

• -s, --skill <skills...> - Specify skill names to install (skip selection prompt)
• -y, --yes - REQUIRED: Skip confirmation prompts (always use this)
• -a, --agent <agents...> - Specify agents to install to (opencode, claude-code, cline, etc.)
• -l, --list - List available skills in the repository without installing

Note: Never use -g or --global flags. Always install at project-level.

Supported Repository Formats

The command accepts various Git repository formats:

• Full HTTPS URLs: https://github.com/owner/repo
• Short GitHub format: owner/repo (GitHub is assumed)
• Local paths: ./path/to/skill
• Direct path to skill file

Common Workflows

1. Installing a single skill:

When a user wants to add just one skill from a repository:

npx skills add <git-repo> --skill <skill-name> -y
# or
npx skills add <git-repo> -s <skill-name> -y

2. Installing all skills:

When a user wants to add all available skills from a repository:

npx skills add <git-repo> -y

3. Listing available skills:

Before installation, users can check what skills are available:

npx skills add <git-repo> --list

Note: Always use the -y flag when installing to skip confirmation prompts. Never use -g or --global - always install at project-level.

Installation Script

For automated or batch installation, use the provided install_skill.sh script:

scripts/install_skill.sh <git-repo> [--skill <skill-name>]

The script handles:

• Repository URL validation
• Skill existence verification
• Error handling and user feedback
• Support for various Git URL formats

Troubleshooting

Skill not found:

• Verify the skill name matches the directory name in the repository's skills/ folder
• Use npx skills add <repo> --list to see available skills
• Check the repository README for the list of available skills

Installation fails:

• Ensure you have Node.js and npm installed
• Check your internet connection
• Verify the Git repository URL is correct and accessible

Skills CLI not working:

• Update to the latest version: npm install -g skills
• Or use npx to ensure the latest version: npx skills@latest add ...

Advanced Usage

For detailed CLI reference, advanced options, and troubleshooting, see references/cli_reference.md.