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5-Minute Setup

Get Skillsmith running in 5 minutes. Choose your preferred workflow below.

Note: The bare skillsmith package on npm is not this project. Use @skillsmith/cli for the CLI or @skillsmith/mcp-server for MCP. Alternatively, npm install -g skillsmith-cli also works.

Before You Begin

Make sure you have:

  • Node.js 18+ installed (node --version to check)
  • npm or another package manager

Choose Your Workflow

Recommended

MCP Client Setup

Use natural language to discover and install skills. Just ask your assistant!

  • "Find skills for this React project"
  • "Install the commit helper skill"
  • "What testing skills do you recommend?"
Alternative

Direct CLI

Use traditional command-line tools in any terminal.

  • skillsmith search testing
  • skillsmith install jest-helper
  • skillsmith list

Using an MCP Client (Recommended)

What is MCP?

MCP (Model Context Protocol) lets AI assistants like Claude Code connect to external tool servers. Skillsmith provides an MCP server that gives your assistant the ability to search and install skills for you.

Step 1: Install an MCP Client

# Install via npm (recommended)
npm install -g @anthropic-ai/claude-code

# Or via Homebrew
brew install claude-code

Step 2: Add Skillsmith MCP Server

Add this configuration to your MCP client settings (e.g., ~/.claude/settings.json): 

Add this MCP server to my settings.json:

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

Tip

You can also paste this snippet directly into your AI assistant's chat, and it can update your settings.json for you.

After updating your settings, restart your MCP client to load Skillsmith.

Step 3: Discover Skills for Your Project

Navigate to your project directory and start your MCP client: 

cd /path/to/your/project
claude

Now just ask your assistant to find skills for your project:

You
"What skills would be helpful for this project?"
AI

Based on your package.json, I can see this is a React project with Jest. Here are some recommended skills:

  • community/jest-helper - Enhanced Jest testing workflows
  • community/react-patterns - React best practices
  • verified/commit - Smart commit messages

Would you like me to install any of these?

You
"Yes, install the jest-helper skill"

You're all set!

Skills are installed to ~/.claude/skills/ and automatically available in all your sessions.

Using the CLI Directly

When to use this

Use the CLI if you prefer traditional command-line tools, want to script skill management, or are not using an MCP client.

Step 1: Install the Skillsmith CLI

# Install globally
npm install -g @skillsmith/cli

# Verify installation
skillsmith --version

After this, skillsmith command is available everywhere.

Step 2: Navigate to Your Project

Open your terminal and navigate to your project directory: 

# Navigate to your project
cd ~/projects/my-react-app

# Verify you're in the right place
ls package.json

Why navigate here? Skillsmith can analyze your project's package.json, dependencies, and file structure to recommend relevant skills.

Step 3: Search for Skills

# Search by keyword
skillsmith search testing

# Search with filters
skillsmith search react --category development
skillsmith search git --tier verified

# Get recommendations for current project
skillsmith recommend

The recommend command analyzes your project and suggests relevant skills.

Step 4: Install Skills

# Install by skill name
skillsmith install jest-helper

# Install by full ID
skillsmith install community/react-patterns

# Install multiple skills
skillsmith install jest-helper commit react-patterns

Step 5: Verify Installation

# List installed skills
skillsmith list

# Show skill details
skillsmith info jest-helper

Skills Installed!

Skills are installed to ~/.claude/skills/. They'll be automatically available when you use your MCP client.

Next Steps

Browse Skills

Explore available skills by category and trust tier.

Configuration Guide

Set up API keys, verify installation, and troubleshoot issues.

CLI Reference

Complete documentation for all CLI commands.

MCP Server

Advanced configuration for the MCP integration.

Ready to configure API keys?

Continue to the Configuration Guide for API key setup, verification, and advanced options.