OpenSkills
A universal loader for Anthropic-format skills (SKILL.md) in any coding agent: install, sync and load on demand
Medium risk
We rate an entry medium when the tool runs code, makes network calls or reads project files. Check what exactly it does before installing.
Why this level
- Clones external repositories and writes skill files into the project
- Installed skills may contain their own scripts that the agent will run
Install
In your terminal, with SkillFoxx CLI
npx skillfoxx add cli/openskillsDetects the agents on your machine, checks the risk and pins the version.
Other ways to install
Install the tool
npm install -g openskillsInstall and wire up skills: npx openskills install anthropics/skills, then npx openskills sync. Load a skill on demand with npx openskills read <name>.
Other ways from the author
npx openskills install anthropics/skills
npx openskills syncInstalls into the project (.claude/skills) by default. Use --global for ~/.claude/skills and --universal for .agent/skills. The CLI itself can be installed globally: npm i -g openskills.
This is third-party code. Review the repository files before installing.
What it does
OpenSkills is a CLI that brings the Anthropic skills format to any coding agent. It installs skills from GitHub, local paths or private repositories into .claude/skills or .agent/skills and assembles an available-skills block in AGENTS.md. The agent loads a skill on demand with npx openskills read, which keeps context clean. It has commands to install, sync, update, list and remove. The format matches Claude Code, so the same skills work in Cursor, Windsurf, Codex and other agents that read AGENTS.md.
Who it is for. For developers who use several coding agents and want to keep Anthropic-format skills in one place.
Good fit when
- You need to install Anthropic-format skills in an agent that does not support them natively
- You want to version skills together with the project
- You want to share the same skills between Claude Code and other agents
Not a fit when
- You use only Claude Code, where skills are already native
- You need a dynamic tool rather than a static instruction; then MCP fits better
Example request
Install the Anthropic skills into this project and update AGENTS.mdLimitations
Requires Node.js 20.6+ and Git. The project is not affiliated with Anthropic and only implements the Agent Skills format. Skills are static files and OpenSkills does not sandbox their scripts, so install only from trusted sources.
How to disable. Remove skills with npx openskills remove <name> or npx openskills manage. Uninstall the global CLI with npm uninstall -g openskills.
Security check
- Clones external repositories and writes skill files into the project
- Installed skills may contain their own scripts that the agent will run
README in short
The README presents OpenSkills as a single installer for SKILL.md. It generates the same available_skills XML block as Claude Code but inside AGENTS.md, and skills load via the read command. You can install from the Anthropic marketplace, any GitHub repo, a local path or a private git repo. Installs are project-local by default, with flags for a global install or the .agent/skills directory for multi-agent setups. It documents the install, sync, list, read, update, manage and remove commands and the directory priority rules. Requires Node.js 20.6+ and Git, Apache 2.0 licensed.
FAQ
How is this different from MCP?
MCP provides dynamic tools through a server, while skills are static instructions and files. OpenSkills keeps skills lightweight and works without a server in any agent.
Do I need Claude Code?
No. Any agent that reads AGENTS.md works; the skill itself loads with npx openskills read.
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