Claude Code Skills Installation Guide 2026

This is the definitive guide to installing skills in Claude Code as of 2026. Whether you're adding your first skill or managing dozens, this covers every installation method, the file paths involved, and what to do when things go wrong.

Quick start

If you just want to install a skill and start using it, here's the fastest path:

# Download a skill from Agensi or GitHub
# Unzip or copy it to your personal skills directory
cp -r skill-name ~/.claude/skills/skill-name

# Start a new Claude Code session
claude

Done. Claude automatically discovers new skills when it starts.

Method 1: Plugin marketplace

Claude Code includes a built-in plugin browser. Type /plugin in any session to open it. Navigate to the Discover tab, find a skill, and install it. Claude handles the file placement for you.

You can choose where to install:

User scope installs to ~/.claude/skills/ — available in all projects. Project scope installs to .claude/skills/ — shared with your team via git.

To add community plugin sources beyond Anthropic's official collection:

/plugin marketplace add author/repository

Method 2: Download from Agensi

Agensi is a curated marketplace where every skill passes an automated security scan. Browse by category, click download (or buy for paid skills), and unzip:

unzip code-reviewer.zip -d ~/.claude/skills/

The zip extracts a properly structured skill folder. Start a new session and it works.

Method 3: Clone from GitHub

Find a skill on GitHub and clone it:

git clone https://github.com/author/skill-repo.git
cp -r skill-repo/skill-name ~/.claude/skills/skill-name

Check the SKILL.md file before installing to make sure it does what it claims and doesn't contain suspicious scripts.

Method 4: Write your own

Create a folder and a SKILL.md file:

mkdir -p ~/.claude/skills/my-skill
cat > ~/.claude/skills/my-skill/SKILL.md << 'EOF'
---
name: my-skill
description: What this skill does and when to use it.
---

# My Skill

Your instructions here.
EOF

Skills directory structure

~/.claude/skills/          # Personal skills (all projects)
├── code-reviewer/
│   └── SKILL.md
├── git-commit-writer/
│   └── SKILL.md
└── env-doctor/
    ├── SKILL.md
    └── scripts/
        └── check-env.sh

.claude/skills/            # Project skills (this repo only)
├── team-standards/
│   └── SKILL.md

Troubleshooting

Skill not detected: Make sure SKILL.md is directly inside the skill folder, not nested deeper. Restart your Claude Code session.

Skill never triggers: The description field in frontmatter must match how you phrase requests. Be specific: "Use when the user asks to review code, mentions PR review, or says check my changes."

Skill triggers but gives bad results: The instructions in the body need more detail. Add specific steps, output format examples, and edge case handling.

Permission errors: Make sure the skill folder and files are readable. Run chmod -R 755 ~/.claude/skills/skill-name.

Multiple skills conflicting: If two skills have similar descriptions, Claude might pick the wrong one. Make descriptions more distinct, or use disable-model-invocation: true on skills you only want to trigger manually.

Cross-agent compatibility

Skills installed for Claude Code also work on OpenClaw (~/.openclaw/skills/), Codex CLI (~/.codex/skills/), and Cursor (.cursor/skills/). Copy the same skill folder to the appropriate directory for each agent.

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Find skills for Claude Code on Agensi — every skill is security-scanned and ready to install.