> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://mintlify.com/vercel-labs/skills/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Source Formats

> Learn about all the ways to install skills from various sources

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.

## Supported Formats

The CLI automatically detects the source type and handles installation appropriately.

### GitHub Shorthand

The simplest way to install skills from GitHub:

```bash theme={null}
# 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
```

<Info>
  The `owner/repo` format is automatically expanded to `https://github.com/owner/repo.git`
</Info>

### Full GitHub URLs

You can also use complete GitHub URLs:

```bash theme={null}
# 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:

```bash theme={null}
# 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
```

<Note>
  GitLab URLs use the `/-/tree/` pattern which is unique to GitLab. The CLI automatically detects this.
</Note>

### Git URLs

Any valid git URL is supported:

```bash theme={null}
# Git SSH URL
npx skills add git@github.com: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 git@git.company.com:team/skills.git
```

### Local Paths

Install skills from your local filesystem:

```bash theme={null}
# 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 ..
```

<Warning>
  Local paths must start with `./`, `../`, `/`, or be absolute (e.g., `C:\` on Windows). This prevents ambiguity with GitHub shorthand.
</Warning>

## Source Detection Logic

The CLI parses sources in this order:

1. **Local paths** - Absolute or relative paths (`.`, `..`, `./`, `/`, `C:\`)
2. **GitHub URLs with paths** - `github.com/owner/repo/tree/branch/path`
3. **GitHub URLs with branch** - `github.com/owner/repo/tree/branch`
4. **GitHub repository URLs** - `github.com/owner/repo`
5. **GitLab URLs with paths** - `gitlab.com/org/repo/-/tree/branch/path`
6. **GitLab URLs with branch** - `gitlab.com/org/repo/-/tree/branch`
7. **GitLab repository URLs** - `gitlab.com/org/repo`
8. **GitHub shorthand with skill filter** - `owner/repo@skill-name`
9. **GitHub shorthand with path** - `owner/repo/path/to/skill`
10. **GitHub shorthand** - `owner/repo`
11. **Well-known endpoints** - HTTP(S) URLs with `/.well-known/skills/index.json`
12. **Direct git URLs** - Any other git-compatible URL

## Special Formats

### Installing Specific Skills

You can filter which skills to install using the `@skill-name` syntax or `--skill` flag:

```bash theme={null}
# 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:

```bash theme={null}
# 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
```

<Info>
  For GitHub shorthand (`owner/repo`), the default branch is used automatically.
</Info>

### Subpaths

Install skills from a subdirectory within a repository:

```bash theme={null}
# 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/agentWallet` | `coinbase/agentic-wallet-skills` |

More aliases may be added in future releases.

## Listing Available Skills

Before installing, preview available skills from a source:

```bash theme={null}
# 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

```bash theme={null}
# Use SSH URL format
npx skills add git@github.com:your-org/private-skills.git
```

### HTTPS with Credentials

Configure git credentials helper:

```bash theme={null}
# 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
```

<Warning>
  The CLI uses git to clone repositories. Make sure you have read access to the repository with your configured git credentials.
</Warning>

## Examples by Use Case

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Installing from a monorepo">
    ```bash theme={null}
    # 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
    ```
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Testing local skills before publishing">
    ```bash theme={null}
    # 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
    ```
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Installing from self-hosted git">
    ```bash theme={null}
    # SSH URL to self-hosted GitLab
    npx skills add git@git.company.com:team/agent-skills.git

    # HTTPS URL to self-hosted GitHub Enterprise
    npx skills add https://github.company.com/team/agent-skills.git
    ```
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Installing from a fork">
    ```bash theme={null}
    # 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
    ```
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## Troubleshooting

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="No skills found">
    Ensure the repository contains valid `SKILL.md` files with `name` and `description` in the frontmatter. Check that skills are in [recognized directories](/guides/creating-skills#skill-discovery-locations).
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Git authentication failed">
    For private repositories:

    * Verify your SSH keys are configured: `ssh -T git@github.com`
    * Or use HTTPS with credentials helper configured
    * Check that you have read access to the repository
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Ambiguous source format">
    If the CLI misinterprets your input:

    * Use explicit URLs instead of shorthand
    * For local paths, always start with `./` or use absolute paths
    * Check for typos in owner/repo names
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## Next Steps

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Creating Skills" icon="plus" href="/guides/creating-skills">
    Learn how to create your own skills
  </Card>

  <Card title="Installation Methods" icon="link" href="/guides/installation-methods">
    Understand symlink vs copy installation
  </Card>
</CardGroup>