---
type: reference
title: Vercel Labs `skills` CLI
description: The meta-installer CLI for cross-agent skill distribution, supporting 68+ agents with add/use/find/list/update/remove commands.
tags:
  - skills
  - vercel
  - meta-installer
  - cross-agent
  - cli
  - unverified
timestamp: 2026-08-28
---

# Vercel Labs `skills` CLI

`skills` is the CLI for the open agent skills ecosystem, created by Gunnar (@rauchg) at Vercel. It is a **meta-installer** that downloads skills from repositories and installs them into 68+ supported coding agents' skill directories.

**Repository:** [vercel-labs/skills](https://github.com/vercel-labs/skills)
**Specification:** [Agent Skills](https://agentskills.io)

---

## Installation

No global installation needed — run directly via `npx`:

```bash
npx skills add vercel-labs/agent-skills          # Install from GitHub
npx skills add vercel-labs/agent-skills --list    # List without installing
npx skills use vercel-labs/agent-skills@skill-name  # Use without installing
npx skills find typescript                        # Search
```

---

## Commands

### `skills add` — Install Skills

```bash
npx skills add <source> [options]
```

| Option | Description |
|--------|-------------|
| `-g, --global` | Install to user directory (`~/`) |
| `-a, --agent <agents...>` | Target specific agents |
| `-s, --skill <skills...>` | Install specific skills (use `'*'` for all) |
| `-l, --list` | List available skills |
| `--copy` | Copy files instead of symlinking |
| `-y, --yes` | Skip confirmation prompts |
| `--all` | Install all to all agents |

### `skills use` — Use Without Installing

```bash
npx skills use <source> [options]
# Generates prompt to stdout, or launches agent with --agent
```

### `skills list` (alias: `ls`)

```bash
npx skills list          # All installed skills
npx skills ls -g         # Global only
```

### `skills find` — Search

```bash
npx skills find          # Interactive search
npx skills find typescript  # By keyword
```

### `skills update`

```bash
npx skills update        # Update all (interactive)
npx skills update -g     # Global only
npx skills update -y     # Auto-detect scope
```

### `skills remove` (alias: `rm`)

```bash
npx skills remove        # Interactive
npx skills remove my-skill -a claude-code -g
npx skills remove --all  # Remove everything
```

### `skills init` — Create Template

```bash
npx skills init          # Current directory
npx skills init my-skill # Subdirectory
```

---

## Source Formats

```bash
npx skills add owner/repo                       # GitHub shorthand
npx skills add https://github.com/owner/repo     # Full URL
npx skills add https://gitlab.com/org/repo       # GitLab
npx skills add git@github.com:owner/repo.git    # Git URL
npx skills add ./my-local-skills                 # Local path
```

---

## Installation Scope

| Scope | Flag | Location | Use Case |
|-------|------|----------|----------|
| **Project** | _(default)_ | `./<agent>/skills/` | Committed with project |
| **Global** | `-g` | `~/<agent>/skills/` | All projects |

Symlink (recommended) or copy mode.

---

## Agent Support

The CLI supports **68+ agents**. Key ones:

| Agent | `--agent` | Project Path | Global Path |
|-------|-----------|--------------|-------------|
| Claude Code | `claude-code` | `.claude/skills/` | `~/.claude/skills/` |
| Codex | `codex` | `.agents/skills/` | `~/.codex/skills/` |
| Cursor | `cursor` | `.agents/skills/` | `~/.cursor/skills/` |
| OpenCode | `opencode` | `.agents/skills/` | `~/.config/opencode/skills/` |
| Pi | `pi` | `.pi/skills/` | `~/.pi/agent/skills/` |
| Kiro CLI | `kiro-cli` | `.kiro/skills/` | `~/.kiro/skills/` |
| Gemini CLI | `gemini-cli` | `.agents/skills/` | `~/.gemini/skills/` |

Full table available in the [source repository](https://github.com/vercel-labs/skills).

---

## Lock File System

| Type | Path | Scope |
|------|------|-------|
| **Global lock** | `~/.agents/.skill-lock.json` | User-wide |
| **Local lock** | `skills-lock.json` | Project (check in) |

`skills check` compares GitHub tree SHA with the lock file. `skills update` reinstalls changed skills.

---

## Environment Variables

| Variable | Description |
|----------|-------------|
| `INSTALL_INTERNAL_SKILLS` | Set to `1` to show skills marked `internal: true` |
| `DISABLE_TELEMETRY` | Disable anonymous usage telemetry |
| `DO_NOT_TRACK` | Alternative way to disable telemetry |

---

## Cross-References

- See [Npx Skills](npx-skills.md) for the pi-specific npm package distribution system.
- The [Agent Skills specification](https://agentskills.io/specification) is the shared standard.