MCP Server

The Skillsmith MCP server integrates directly with Claude Code, enabling natural language skill discovery and management.

Overview

MCP (Model Context Protocol) servers extend Claude's capabilities by providing additional tools. The Skillsmith MCP server adds tools for searching, installing, and managing Claude Code skills.

Configuration

Basic Setup

Add Skillsmith to your Claude settings at ~/.claude/settings.json:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "skillsmith": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "@skillsmith/mcp-server"]
    }
  }
}

Advanced Configuration

For more control, you can specify additional options:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "skillsmith": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "@skillsmith/mcp-server"],
      "env": {
        "SKILLSMITH_LOG_LEVEL": "debug",
        "SKILLSMITH_CACHE_TTL": "3600"
      }
    }
  }
}

API Key Configuration

The Skillsmith API provides access to 14,000+ skills that are indexed daily from GitHub and security screened hourly for vulnerabilities. Configure your API key for higher rate limits and usage tracking.

Why Use an API Key?

• Live indexed skills - Access skills as they're discovered and screened
• Higher rate limits - Up to 300 requests/minute on Enterprise tier
• Usage dashboard - Track your API usage at skillsmith.app/account
• Priority access - During high-traffic periods

Setup

Step 1: Create an account and get your API key at skillsmith.app/account

Step 2: Configure your API key using one of these methods:

Method A: Config File (Recommended)

Create ~/.skillsmith/config.json - works on all platforms:

mkdir -p ~/.skillsmith && cat > ~/.skillsmith/config.json << 'EOF'
{
  "apiKey": "sk_live_your_key_here"
}
EOF

Method B: Claude Settings

Add to your ~/.claude/settings.json:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "skillsmith": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "@skillsmith/mcp-server"],
      "env": {
        "SKILLSMITH_API_KEY": "sk_live_your_key_here"
      }
    }
  }
}

Step 3: Restart Claude Code (Cmd/Ctrl+Shift+P → "Claude Code: Restart")

Rate Limits by Tier

Other Environment Variables

Available Tools

The MCP server provides the following tools to Claude:

search

Search for skills in the registry.

// Tool: search
// Parameters:
{
  "query": "testing",           // Search term (required)
  "category": "development",    // Category filter
  "trust_tier": "verified",     // Trust tier filter
  "min_score": 70,              // Minimum quality score
  "limit": 10                   // Max results
}

Example prompts:

• "Search for testing skills"
• "Find verified skills for git workflows"
• "Show me devops skills with high quality scores"

get_skill

Get detailed information about a specific skill.

// Tool: get_skill
// Parameters:
{
  "id": "community/jest-helper"  // Skill ID (required)
}

Example prompts:

• "Show details for community/jest-helper"
• "What does the git-commit skill do?"

install_skill

Install a skill to the local environment.

// Tool: install_skill
// Parameters:
{
  "id": "community/jest-helper",  // Skill ID (required)
  "path": "~/.claude/skills",     // Installation path
  "force": false                  // Overwrite existing
}

Example prompts:

• "Install the jest-helper skill"
• "Install community/git-commit"

uninstall_skill

Remove an installed skill.

// Tool: uninstall_skill
// Parameters:
{
  "id": "community/jest-helper"  // Skill ID (required)
}

Example prompts:

• "Uninstall the jest-helper skill"
• "Remove community/git-commit"

recommend

Get personalized skill recommendations.

// Tool: recommend
// Parameters:
{
  "context": "react",     // Technology context
  "limit": 5              // Max recommendations
}

Example prompts:

• "Recommend skills for my React project"
• "What skills would help with Node.js development?"

compare

Compare multiple skills side-by-side.

// Tool: compare
// Parameters:
{
  "skill_ids": ["jest-helper", "vitest-helper"]  // 2-5 skill IDs
}

Example prompts:

• "Compare jest-helper and vitest-helper"
• "What's the difference between these testing skills?"

validate

Validate a skill's structure.

// Tool: validate
// Parameters:
{
  "path": "./my-skill"  // Path to skill directory
}

Example prompts:

• "Validate my skill at ./my-skill"
• "Check if this skill structure is correct"

Usage Examples

Discovering Skills

You: "I need help with testing in my project. What skills are available?"

Claude: [Uses search tool] I found several testing skills:
- jest-helper: Comprehensive Jest testing utilities
- vitest-helper: Vitest integration and helpers
- playwright-utils: End-to-end testing with Playwright
...

Installing and Using Skills

You: "Install the jest-helper skill and show me how to use it"

Claude: [Uses install_skill tool] I've installed jest-helper to
~/.claude/skills/jest-helper. This skill provides...

Comparing Options

You: "Should I use jest-helper or vitest-helper for my Vite project?"

Claude: [Uses compare tool] Here's a comparison:
| Feature       | jest-helper | vitest-helper |
| Vite support  | Limited     | Native        |
| Speed         | Moderate    | Fast          |
...

Trust Tiers

Troubleshooting

Server Not Starting

Tools Not Available

Enable Debug Logging

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "skillsmith": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "@skillsmith/mcp-server"],
      "env": {
        "SKILLSMITH_LOG_LEVEL": "debug"
      }
    }
  }
}