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SKILL.md

name: skill-installer description: Install Codex skills into $CODEX_HOME/skills from a curated list or a GitHub repo path. Use when a user asks to list installable skills, install a curated skill, or install a skill from another repo (including private repos). metadata: short-description: Install curated skills from openai/skills or other repos

Skill Installer

Helps install skills. By default these are from https://github.com/openai/skills/tree/main/skills/.curated, but users can also provide other locations. Experimental skills live in https://github.com/openai/skills/tree/main/skills/.experimental and can be installed the same way.

Use the helper scripts based on the task:

  • List skills when the user asks what is available, or if the user uses this skill without specifying what to do. Default listing is .curated, but you can pass --path skills/.experimental when they ask about experimental skills.
  • Install from the curated list when the user provides a skill name.
  • Install from another repo when the user provides a GitHub repo/path (including private repos).

Install skills with the helper scripts.

Communication

When listing skills, output approximately as follows, depending on the context of the user's request. If they ask about experimental skills, list from .experimental instead of .curated and label the source accordingly: """ Skills from {repo}:

  1. skill-1
  2. skill-2 (already installed)
  3. ... Which ones would you like installed? """

After installing a skill, tell the user: "Restart Codex to pick up new skills."

Scripts

All of these scripts use network, so when running in the sandbox, request escalation when running them.

  • scripts/list-skills.py (prints skills list with installed annotations)
  • scripts/list-skills.py --format json
  • Example (experimental list): scripts/list-skills.py --path skills/.experimental
  • scripts/install-skill-from-github.py --repo <owner>/<repo> --path <path/to/skill> [<path/to/skill> ...]
  • scripts/install-skill-from-github.py --url https://github.com/<owner>/<repo>/tree/<ref>/<path>
  • Example (experimental skill): scripts/install-skill-from-github.py --repo openai/skills --path skills/.experimental/<skill-name>

Behavior and Options

  • Defaults to direct download for public GitHub repos.
  • If download fails with auth/permission errors, falls back to git sparse checkout.
  • Aborts if the destination skill directory already exists.
  • Installs into $CODEX_HOME/skills/<skill-name> (defaults to ~/.codex/skills).
  • Multiple --path values install multiple skills in one run, each named from the path basename unless --name is supplied.
  • Options: --ref <ref> (default main), --dest <path>, --method auto|download|git.

Notes

  • Curated listing is fetched from https://github.com/openai/skills/tree/main/skills/.curated via the GitHub API. If it is unavailable, explain the error and exit.
  • Private GitHub repos can be accessed via existing git credentials or optional GITHUB_TOKEN/GH_TOKEN for download.
  • Git fallback tries HTTPS first, then SSH.
  • The skills at https://github.com/openai/skills/tree/main/skills/.system are preinstalled, so no need to help users install those. If they ask, just explain this. If they insist, you can download and overwrite.
  • Installed annotations come from $CODEX_HOME/skills.

Overview

Free skill — skill-installer. Install Codex skills into $CODEX_HOME/skills from a curated list or a GitHub repo path. Use when a user asks to list installable skills, install a curated skill, or install a

What this skill does

Reach for "skill-installer" whenever you need a reliable skill for real work across ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, and Cursor. Install Codex skills into $CODEX_HOME/skills from a curated list or a GitHub repo path. Use when a user asks to list installable skills, install a curated skill, or install a skill from another repo (including private repos). It is catalogued next to similar resources on OpenRuna, so the rest of the toolkit you need is close by. Open a new conversation and paste it in, wire it into an agent, or keep it in your team's prompt library.

Use cases

  • Fork it as a baseline and layer in your own project context, constraints, and examples.
  • Keep it in a shared library as the canonical version of this skill for your organisation.
  • Combine it with related tools and prompts in the same OpenRuna category to build an end-to-end workflow.
  • Reach for it during planning or review sessions when you want consistent, AI-assisted structure.

Example output

Running this skill produces output shaped like the source material below:

# Skill Installer

Helps install skills. By default these are from https://github.com/openai/skills/tree/main/skills/.curated, but users can also provide other locations. Experimental skills live in https://github.com/openai/skills/tree/main/skills/.experimental and can be installed the same way.

Use the helper scripts based on the task:
- List skills when the user asks what is available, or if the user uses this skill without specifying what to do. Default listing is `.curated`, but you can pass `--path skills/.experimental` when they ask about experimental skills.
- Install from the curated…

Results vary by model and temperature; treat the first response as a draft and refine it with follow-up prompts.

Tips by platform

Claude

Claude works best when you paste this skill up front and ask it to outline its plan before writing. Use the artifact panel to refine structured output turn by turn.

ChatGPT

ChatGPT responds well when you paste this skill and immediately give one concrete example of your input. Use a reasoning-capable model for multi-step work.

Cursor

Cursor users can store this skill as a project rule so Agent mode applies it automatically. Mention it with @ when you want it scoped to a single task.

Frequently asked questions

What is "skill-installer"?
It is a skill listed on OpenRuna — Install Codex skills into $CODEX_HOME/skills from a curated list or a GitHub repo path. Use when a user asks to list installable skills, install a curated skill, or install a skill from another repo (including private repos). You can copy and adapt it for ChatGPT, Claude, Cursor, or any other AI assistant.
Is "skill-installer" free to use?
Most OpenRuna resources are open or CC0-licensed. Check the license shown on this page before commercial use; premium collections are clearly marked as such.
How do I get the best results from this skill?
Replace any placeholders, add your project context, and ask the model to confirm its assumptions first. Iterate over 2–3 follow-up turns rather than expecting a perfect first response.
Does "skill-installer" work with both Claude and ChatGPT?
Yes — it is model-agnostic text, so it runs on Claude, ChatGPT, Gemini, and Cursor. The tips on this page cover each of those assistants specifically.
Where can I find resources related to "skill-installer"?
Scroll to the Related resources section on this page, or open the matching category hub on OpenRuna to find connected prompts, tools, agents, and datasets in the same topic area.

Related resources