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Usage

skills find [query]

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Description

The find command helps you discover and install skills from the skills ecosystem. It provides two modes:
  1. Interactive mode (no query): Fuzzy search with keyboard navigation
  2. Direct search (with query): Shows matching results immediately
After selecting a skill, you can install it directly without leaving the CLI.

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Arguments

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query
string
Optional search keyword(s) to find skills. When provided, displays matching results immediately.Examples:
  • typescript
  • web design
  • commit

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Interactive Mode

When run without a query, skills find provides a real-time fuzzy search interface:
1

Type to Search

Start typing to search for skills. Results appear as you type (minimum 2 characters).
Search skills: type_
2

Navigate Results

Use arrow keys to navigate:
  • Up/Down: Move between results
  • Enter: Select and install skill
  • Esc: Cancel search
> frontend-design vercel-labs/agent-skills 1.2K installs
  web-design-guidelines vercel-labs/agent-skills 856 installs
  skill-creator vercel-labs/agent-skills 642 installs
3

Install Selected

Press Enter to install the selected skill. The CLI will:
  1. Show installation details
  2. Prompt for agents (if not already detected)
  3. Install the skill
The skill is installed directly using skills add with the --skill flag.

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Direct Search Mode

When run with a query, displays matching results immediately: 
$ skills find typescript

Install with npx skills add <owner/repo@skill>

vercel-labs/agent-skills@typescript-guide 1.2K installs
└ https://skills.sh/typescript-guide

owner/repo@typescript-best-practices 856 installs
└ https://skills.sh/typescript-best-practices
The output shows:
  • Package and skill: owner/repo@skill-name
  • Install count: Number of times installed
  • URL: Link to skill details on skills.sh

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Examples

# Launch interactive fuzzy search
skills find

# Starts with empty search, type to filter
# Use arrow keys to navigate, Enter to select

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Search Features

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Fuzzy Matching

The interactive search uses fuzzy matching, so you can:
  • Type partial words: type matches “typescript”, “prototype”, etc.
  • Skip characters: fend matches “frontend-design”
  • Match anywhere: guide matches “typescript-guide”, “design-guidelines”, etc.

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Adaptive Debouncing

Search requests are debounced based on query length:
  • 2 characters: 250ms delay (user still typing)
  • 3 characters: 200ms delay
  • 4 characters: 150ms delay
  • 5+ characters: 150ms delay
This provides faster results as you type more specific queries.

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Result Ranking

Results are ranked by:
  1. Relevance: How well the skill matches your query
  2. Popularity: Install count (shown as “1.2K installs”)

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Output Format

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Interactive Mode

Search skills: typescript_

  > typescript-guide vercel-labs/agent-skills 1.2K installs
    typescript-best-practices owner/repo 856 installs
    pr-review vercel-labs/agent-skills 642 installs

up/down navigate | enter select | esc cancel
  • Selected item: Shown with > and bold text
  • Package info: Shows source repository
  • Install count: Formatted as “1.2K”, “856”, etc.
  • Loading indicator: ”…” appears while fetching results

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Direct Search Mode

Install with npx skills add <owner/repo@skill>

vercel-labs/agent-skills@typescript-guide 1.2K installs
└ https://skills.sh/typescript-guide

owner/repo@typescript-best-practices 856 installs
└ https://skills.sh/typescript-best-practices

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Non-Interactive Usage

When used in non-interactive environments (like coding agents), the CLI provides a helpful tip: 
$ skills find typescript

Tip: if running in a coding agent, follow these steps:
  1) npx skills find [query]
  2) npx skills add <owner/repo@skill>

[results shown here]
When you select a skill in interactive mode:
  1. The skill source and name are extracted
  2. skills add is called automatically with:
    • Source: owner/repo
    • Skill filter: --skill skill-name
  3. Normal installation flow proceeds (agent selection, scope, confirmation)
Example: 
# After selecting "frontend-design" from "vercel-labs/agent-skills"
# Internally runs:
skills add vercel-labs/agent-skills --skill frontend-design

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Search API

The search queries the Skills directory API at:
  • Default: https://skills.sh/api/search
  • Custom: Set SKILLS_API_URL environment variable
# Use custom search endpoint
SKILLS_API_URL=https://custom.example.com skills find typescript

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Aliases

The following aliases are available:
  • skills search → skills find
  • skills f → skills find
  • skills s → skills find

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