The Skills CLI supports multiple source formats for installing skills, from GitHub shorthand to local directories. Understanding these formats helps you install skills from anywhere.
The CLI automatically detects the source type and handles installation appropriately.
GitHub Shorthand The simplest way to install skills from GitHub:
# Owner/repo format npx skills add vercel-labs/agent-skills # Install specific skill by name npx skills add vercel-labs/agent-skills@frontend-design # Install from a subdirectory npx skills add vercel-labs/agent-skills/skills/web-design
The owner/repo format is automatically expanded to https://github.com/owner/repo.git
Full GitHub URLs You can also use complete GitHub URLs:
# Standard repository URL npx skills add https://github.com/vercel-labs/agent-skills # URL with branch npx skills add https://github.com/vercel-labs/agent-skills/tree/main # URL pointing to specific skill folder npx skills add https://github.com/vercel-labs/agent-skills/tree/main/skills/web-design
GitLab URLs Full support for GitLab repositories, including subgroups:
# GitLab repository npx skills add https://gitlab.com/org/repo # GitLab with subgroups npx skills add https://gitlab.com/group/subgroup/repo # GitLab with branch npx skills add https://gitlab.com/org/repo/-/tree/main # GitLab with branch and path npx skills add https://gitlab.com/org/repo/-/tree/main/skills/my-skill
GitLab URLs use the /-/tree/ pattern which is unique to GitLab. The CLI automatically detects this.
Git URLs Any valid git URL is supported:
# Git SSH URL npx skills add [email protected] :vercel-labs/agent-skills.git # Git HTTP URL npx skills add https://github.com/vercel-labs/agent-skills.git # Self-hosted git server npx skills add [email protected] :team/skills.git
Local Paths Install skills from your local filesystem:
# Relative path npx skills add ./my-local-skills # Absolute path npx skills add /home/user/my-skills # Current directory npx skills add . # Parent directory npx skills add ..
Local paths must start with ./, ../, /, or be absolute (e.g., C:\ on Windows). This prevents ambiguity with GitHub shorthand.
Source Detection Logic The CLI parses sources in this order:
Local paths - Absolute or relative paths (., .., ./, /, C:\)GitHub URLs with paths - github.com/owner/repo/tree/branch/pathGitHub URLs with branch - github.com/owner/repo/tree/branchGitHub repository URLs - github.com/owner/repoGitLab URLs with paths - gitlab.com/org/repo/-/tree/branch/pathGitLab URLs with branch - gitlab.com/org/repo/-/tree/branchGitLab repository URLs - gitlab.com/org/repoGitHub shorthand with skill filter - owner/repo@skill-nameGitHub shorthand with path - owner/repo/path/to/skillGitHub shorthand - owner/repoWell-known endpoints - HTTP(S) URLs with /.well-known/skills/index.jsonDirect git URLs - Any other git-compatible URL
Installing Specific Skills You can filter which skills to install using the @skill-name syntax or --skill flag:
# Using @ syntax (shorthand) npx skills add vercel-labs/agent-skills@frontend-design # Using --skill flag npx skills add vercel-labs/agent-skills --skill frontend-design # Install multiple specific skills npx skills add vercel-labs/agent-skills --skill frontend-design --skill skill-creator # Skill names with spaces (must be quoted) npx skills add owner/repo --skill "Convex Best Practices" # Install all skills (explicit wildcard) npx skills add vercel-labs/agent-skills --skill '*'
Branches and Refs Install from specific branches or tags:
# GitHub URL with branch npx skills add https://github.com/vercel-labs/agent-skills/tree/develop # GitLab URL with branch npx skills add https://gitlab.com/org/repo/-/tree/develop
For GitHub shorthand (owner/repo), the default branch is used automatically.
Subpaths Install skills from a subdirectory within a repository:
# GitHub shorthand with subpath npx skills add vercel-labs/agent-skills/skills/web-design # Full URL with subpath npx skills add https://github.com/vercel-labs/agent-skills/tree/main/skills/web-design # GitLab with subpath npx skills add https://gitlab.com/org/repo/-/tree/main/skills/my-skill
When a subpath is provided, the CLI searches for skills starting from that directory.
Source Aliases Some commonly used repositories have aliases:
Alias Expands to coinbase/agentWalletcoinbase/agentic-wallet-skills
More aliases may be added in future releases.
Listing Available Skills Before installing, preview available skills from a source:
# List skills in a repository npx skills add vercel-labs/agent-skills --list # List skills from local directory npx skills add ./my-skills --list # List skills from specific path npx skills add https://github.com/org/repo/tree/main/skills --list
This displays all discoverable skills without installing them.
Private Repositories For private repositories, ensure you have git credentials configured:
SSH Authentication HTTPS with Credentials Configure git credentials helper:
# macOS/Linux git config --global credential.helper store # Windows git config --global credential.helper wincred # Then install (you'll be prompted for credentials once) npx skills add https://github.com/your-org/private-skills
The CLI uses git to clone repositories. Make sure you have read access to the repository with your configured git credentials.
Examples by Use Case
Installing from a monorepo
# Install all skills from a specific directory in the monorepo npx skills add org/monorepo/packages/agent-skills # Install a specific skill from nested path npx skills add org/monorepo/packages/agent-skills/skills/my-skill
Testing local skills before publishing
# Install from current directory npx skills add . # Install from local clone of repository npx skills add ~/projects/my-skills # Install specific skill from local directory npx skills add ./my-skills --skill test-skill
Installing from self-hosted git
# SSH URL to self-hosted GitLab npx skills add [email protected] :team/agent-skills.git # HTTPS URL to self-hosted GitHub Enterprise npx skills add https://github.company.com/team/agent-skills.git
# Your forked repository npx skills add your-username/agent-skills # Specific branch in your fork npx skills add https://github.com/your-username/agent-skills/tree/my-feature
Troubleshooting
Ensure the repository contains valid SKILL.md files with name and description in the frontmatter. Check that skills are in recognized directories .
Git authentication failed
For private repositories:
Verify your SSH keys are configured: ssh -T [email protected]
Or use HTTPS with credentials helper configured
Check that you have read access to the repository
Next Steps
Creating Skills Learn how to create your own skills
Installation Methods Understand symlink vs copy installation
