> ## 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.

# Installation

> Get started with the Skills CLI

The Skills CLI requires **Node.js 18 or higher** and can be run directly with `npx` without installation.

## Requirements

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Node.js" icon="node-js">
    Version 18 or higher required
  </Card>

  <Card title="Package Manager" icon="box">
    npm, pnpm, yarn, or bun
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## Using npx (Recommended)

The easiest way to use the Skills CLI is with `npx`, which runs the latest version without requiring global installation:

```bash Terminal theme={null}
npx skills add vercel-labs/agent-skills
```

<Tip>
  Using `npx` ensures you're always running the latest version of the Skills CLI without manual updates.
</Tip>

## Global Installation

If you prefer to install the CLI globally:

<CodeGroup>
  ```bash npm theme={null}
  npm install -g skills
  ```

  ```bash pnpm theme={null}
  pnpm add -g skills
  ```

  ```bash yarn theme={null}
  yarn global add skills
  ```

  ```bash bun theme={null}
  bun add -g skills
  ```
</CodeGroup>

After global installation, you can use the `skills` command directly:

```bash Terminal theme={null}
skills add vercel-labs/agent-skills
```

## Verify Installation

Check that the CLI is working correctly:

```bash Terminal theme={null}
# Show version
npx skills --version

# Show help
npx skills --help

# Show banner with available commands
npx skills
```

## Package Manager Configuration

### pnpm

If you're using pnpm, the project uses pnpm as its package manager:

```json package.json theme={null}
{
  "packageManager": "pnpm@10.17.1"
}
```

### npm Registry

The package is published to the npm registry as `skills`:

```bash Terminal theme={null}
# View package info
npm info skills

# View latest version
npm info skills version
```

## Environment Variables

Optional environment variables for configuration:

| Variable                  | Description                                                                |
| ------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| `INSTALL_INTERNAL_SKILLS` | Set to `1` or `true` to show and install skills marked as `internal: true` |
| `DISABLE_TELEMETRY`       | Set to disable anonymous usage telemetry                                   |
| `DO_NOT_TRACK`            | Alternative way to disable telemetry                                       |
| `GITHUB_TOKEN`            | GitHub personal access token for higher API rate limits                    |

### Using a GitHub Token

For higher rate limits when checking for updates or installing skills from private repositories:

```bash Terminal theme={null}
export GITHUB_TOKEN=ghp_your_token_here
npx skills add vercel-labs/agent-skills
```

<Info>
  The CLI automatically respects `GITHUB_TOKEN` environment variables for authentication with GitHub's API.
</Info>

### Viewing Internal Skills

Some skill repositories contain internal skills that are hidden by default. To view and install them:

```bash Terminal theme={null}
INSTALL_INTERNAL_SKILLS=1 npx skills add vercel-labs/agent-skills --list
```

### Disabling Telemetry

The CLI collects anonymous usage data by default. To disable:

<CodeGroup>
  ```bash DISABLE_TELEMETRY theme={null}
  export DISABLE_TELEMETRY=1
  npx skills add vercel-labs/agent-skills
  ```

  ```bash DO_NOT_TRACK theme={null}
  export DO_NOT_TRACK=1
  npx skills add vercel-labs/agent-skills
  ```
</CodeGroup>

<Note>
  Telemetry is automatically disabled in CI environments. No personal information is collected.
</Note>

## Updating the CLI

If you installed globally, update with your package manager:

<CodeGroup>
  ```bash npm theme={null}
  npm update -g skills
  ```

  ```bash pnpm theme={null}
  pnpm update -g skills
  ```

  ```bash yarn theme={null}
  yarn global upgrade skills
  ```

  ```bash bun theme={null}
  bun update -g skills
  ```
</CodeGroup>

If using `npx`, you're automatically using the latest version.

## Troubleshooting

### "Command not found: skills"

If you get this error after global installation:

1. Ensure your npm global bin directory is in your PATH:
   ```bash Terminal theme={null}
   npm config get prefix
   ```

2. Add the bin directory to your PATH in `~/.bashrc` or `~/.zshrc`:
   ```bash theme={null}
   export PATH="$PATH:$(npm config get prefix)/bin"
   ```

3. Reload your shell configuration:
   ```bash Terminal theme={null}
   source ~/.bashrc  # or ~/.zshrc
   ```

### Permission Errors

If you encounter permission errors during global installation:

<CodeGroup>
  ```bash Use npx (Recommended) theme={null}
  # Avoid permission issues by using npx
  npx skills add vercel-labs/agent-skills
  ```

  ```bash Fix npm Permissions theme={null}
  # Configure npm to use a different directory
  mkdir ~/.npm-global
  npm config set prefix '~/.npm-global'
  export PATH=~/.npm-global/bin:$PATH
  ```
</CodeGroup>

### Node.js Version Too Old

The CLI requires Node.js 18 or higher:

```bash Terminal theme={null}
# Check your Node.js version
node --version

# If too old, upgrade using nvm
nvm install 18
nvm use 18
```

## Next Steps

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Quickstart" icon="rocket" href="/quickstart">
    Learn how to install and manage skills
  </Card>

  <Card title="Discover Skills" icon="magnifying-glass" href="https://skills.sh">
    Browse community skills
  </Card>
</CardGroup>