skill-installer

name	skill-installer
description	Install VT Code skills into ~/.agents/skills from a curated list or a GitHub repo path. Use when a user asks to list installable skills, install a curated skill, or install a skill from another repo, including private repos.
metadata	{"short-description":"Install curated skills from openai/skills or other repos"}

Skill Installer

Helps install skills. By default these are from https://github.com/openai/skills/tree/main/skills/.curated, but users can also provide other locations.

Use the helper scripts based on the task:

• List curated skills when the user asks what is available, or if the user uses this skill without specifying what to do.
• Install from the curated list when the user provides a skill name.
• Install from another repo when the user provides a GitHub repo/path (including private repos).

Install skills with the helper scripts.

Communication

• Start by confirming the task and running the appropriate command.
• If something fails, report the exact error and ask what to do next.
• Say only what is necessary.

Scripts

List Curated Skills

Show available skills from the curated list:

scripts/list-curated-skills.py

Optional: specify a different repo or path:

scripts/list-curated-skills.py --repo owner/repo --path skills/path --ref branch

Output formats:

• Default: numbered list with installation status
• JSON: --format json for programmatic use

Install from Curated List

Install a skill by name from the curated list:

scripts/install-skill-from-github.py <skill-name>

The skill will be installed to ~/.agents/skills/<skill-name>/.

Install from Any GitHub Repo

Install skills from any GitHub repository:

scripts/install-skill-from-github.py owner/repo path/to/skill

For private repos, ensure gh CLI is authenticated or GITHUB_TOKEN is set.

Install multiple skills from the same repo:

scripts/install-skill-from-github.py owner/repo path/to/skill1 path/to/skill2

Behavior and Options

Installation Location

Skills are installed to ~/.agents/skills/ by default.

Private Repositories

For private repositories:

1. Ensure GitHub CLI (gh) is installed and authenticated: gh auth login
2. Or set the GITHUB_TOKEN environment variable

Overwriting Existing Skills

If a skill with the same name already exists, the installer will:

1. Warn about the existing skill
2. Ask for confirmation before overwriting
3. Back up the existing skill before replacement

Validation

Before installing, the script validates:

• SKILL.md exists and has valid frontmatter
• Skill name follows naming conventions
• No invalid or dangerous file patterns

Notes

• Skills installed from GitHub are placed in the User scope.
• After installation, the skill is immediately available in the current session.
• Use /skills list to verify installation.
• Use /skills load <skill-name> to activate the skill.