Garden Skills Installation Methods: 3 Ways to Add AI Skills to Claude

Garden Skills supports npm package installation, repository cloning with the pack-skill script, and direct GUI import through the Claude Marketplace.

Garden Skills is an open-source collection of reusable AI capabilities maintained in the ConardLi/garden-skills repository. The project offers multiple installation pathways to accommodate different workflows, from Node.js developers integrating via package managers to non-technical users importing skills directly through Claude's interface.

Method 1: Install via npm Package Manager

The simplest approach for Node.js projects uses the published garden-skills package available on the npm registry. This method installs core utilities and all bundled skill definitions as project dependencies.

Install using your preferred package manager:

# Using npm

npm install garden-skills

# Using pnpm

pnpm add garden-skills

# Using Yarn

yarn add garden-skills

After installation, import and initialize skills programmatically:

import { loadSkill } from 'garden-skills';

const skill = await loadSkill('web-design-engineer');
await claude.useSkill(skill);

This approach is ideal when you want version-locked dependencies and seamless integration with existing JavaScript or TypeScript build systems.

Method 2: Clone Repository and Pack Individual Skills

For custom configurations or offline deployment, clone the repository and use the bundled packaging script to generate standalone skill manifests.

First, clone the repository and navigate to the project root:

git clone https://github.com/ConardLi/garden-skills.git
cd garden-skills

Run the scripts/release/pack-skill.mjs script to bundle a specific skill into a self-contained JSON file:

node scripts/release/pack-skill.mjs web-design-engineer

This creates dist/skills/web-design-engineer.json containing the complete skill definition. Import the generated manifest directly into Claude:

await claude.importSkill('./dist/skills/web-design-engineer.json');

Use this method when you need custom skill configurations or want to ship skills without publishing to npm.

Method 3: Import via Claude Marketplace GUI

Non-technical users can add skills through Claude's native interface without touching command-line tools or code editors.

1. Open Claude and navigate to Marketplace → Add Skill → Import from URL
2. Paste the raw URL to a skill's manifest.json file, such as: https://github.com/ConardLi/garden-skills/blob/main/skills/kb-retriever/manifest.json
3. Click Import to register the skill instantly

This GUI-based approach requires no local installation and works best for rapid prototyping or trying skills before permanent integration.

Key Files and Architecture

Understanding the repository structure helps determine which installation method fits your use case:

• package.json: Declares the npm package metadata, entry points for the core library, and dependency tree
• scripts/release/pack-skill.mjs: Node.js CLI utility that bundles individual skills into portable JSON manifests by aggregating the skill configuration and assets
• skills/{name}/manifest.json: Individual skill definitions containing prompts, tools, and metadata required by Claude
• README.md: Project documentation covering quick-start instructions for all three installation pathways

All methods ultimately produce a valid manifest.json that Claude's runtime consumes, differing only in how that manifest reaches your environment.

Summary

• npm installation provides the most straightforward integration for Node.js projects using standard package managers like npm, pnpm, or Yarn
• Repository cloning with pack-skill.mjs enables custom builds and offline distribution of individual skills without registry dependencies
• Claude Marketplace import offers zero-install access for immediate testing through the GUI
• All approaches generate a manifest.json file that serves as the canonical skill definition consumed by Claude

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between installing via npm and using the pack-skill script?

Installing via npm adds the entire garden-skills package as a project dependency, giving you access to all bundled skills through JavaScript imports. The pack-skill.mjs script creates standalone JSON files for individual skills, useful when you need to distribute a single skill file or customize the manifest before deployment.

Can I install Garden Skills without using Node.js or npm?

Yes. The Claude Marketplace GUI method requires no local Node.js installation or package managers. Simply paste the raw GitHub URL of any skill's manifest.json directly into Claude's interface to import skills immediately.

What format does Claude expect for skill imports?

Claude expects a valid manifest.json file following the Garden Skills schema defined in each skill directory. Whether you install via npm, pack with the script, or import via URL, Claude ultimately reads this JSON structure containing the skill's instructions, tools, and configuration parameters.

Where can I find the pack-skill script in the repository?

The packaging utility is located at scripts/release/pack-skill.mjs in the root of the ConardLi/garden-skills repository. This Node.js module accepts a skill name as its argument and outputs a bundled JSON file to the dist/skills/ directory.

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "instagit": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "instagit@latest"]
    }
  }
}