# How to Install Hallmark for AI Coding Assistants: Complete Setup Guide > Easily install Hallmark for AI coding assistants using a simple npx command. Follow our complete setup guide to integrate Hallmark into your workflow and enhance your coding productivity. - Repository: [Hassan El Mghari/hallmark](https://github.com/Nutlope/hallmark) - Tags: getting-started - Published: 2026-08-16 --- **Install Hallmark with a single `npx skills add nutlope/hallmark` command, then copy the skill files to your assistant's designated directory.** Hallmark is an open-source design skill that brings **systematic design thinking** to AI coding assistants. According to the [Nutlope/hallmark](https://github.com/Nutlope/hallmark) source code, it installs as a portable skill package containing a main definition file ([`SKILL.md`](https://github.com/Nutlope/hallmark/blob/main/SKILL.md)) and reference documentation. This guide covers the complete installation process for Claude Code, Cursor, and Codex. --- ## Prerequisites Before installing Hallmark for AI coding assistants, ensure you have: - **Node.js** installed (for `npx` command execution) - Access to at least one supported AI assistant (Claude Code, Cursor, or Codex) The installation relies on `npx`, which fetches the latest Hallmark version (currently v1.1.0) directly from the npm registry without requiring a global package install. --- ## Core Installation Command All assistant setups begin with the same command: ```bash npx skills add nutlope/hallmark ``` This command downloads the skill package from the npm registry. After execution, you'll find the skill files in your working directory under `skills/hallmark/`, including: - [[`SKILL.md`](https://github.com/Nutlope/hallmark/blob/main/SKILL.md)](https://github.com/Nutlope/hallmark/blob/main/skills/hallmark/SKILL.md) — the main skill definition with verb tables and usage notes - `references/` — supporting documentation for macrostructures, themes, and slop-test rules --- ## Assistant-Specific Setup ### Claude Code Claude Code requires copying the full skill directory to its global skills location. **Step 1:** Run the core installation command. **Step 2:** Create the destination directory and copy all files: ```bash mkdir -p ~/.claude/skills/hallmark cp -R skills/hallmark/* ~/.claude/skills/hallmark/ ``` The `references/` directory must be included—Claude Code reads these files at runtime when executing Hallmark verbs (`audit`, `redesign`, `study`, or the default design flow). ### Cursor Cursor uses **rule files** (`.mdc`) rather than directory-based skills, and requires stripping YAML front-matter from [`SKILL.md`](https://github.com/Nutlope/hallmark/blob/main/SKILL.md). **Step 1:** Run the core installation command. **Step 2:** Create the rule file with front-matter removed: ```bash mkdir -p .cursor/rules cat skills/hallmark/SKILL.md | sed '1,3d' > .cursor/rules/hallmark.mdc ``` The `sed '1,3d'` operation removes the first three lines (typically `---` delimited front-matter). Paste only the **body** of [`SKILL.md`](https://github.com/Nutlope/hallmark/blob/main/SKILL.md)—Cursor's rule engine parses the verb definitions directly from this content. ### Codex Codex supports both **personal** (global) and **project-scoped** installations. **Step 1:** Run the core installation command. **Step 2:** Choose your scope and copy files accordingly: ```bash # Personal install (available across all projects) mkdir -p ~/.codex/skills/hallmark cp -R skills/hallmark/* ~/.codex/skills/hallmark/ # OR project-scoped install (version-controlled, team-shared) mkdir -p .codex/skills/hallmark cp -R skills/hallmark/* .codex/skills/hallmark/ ``` Project-scoped installations are recommended for teams wanting consistent Hallmark behavior across contributors. Personal installs suit individual workflows. --- ## Verifying Your Installation After completing the steps above, test Hallmark by invoking one of its verbs in your assistant. For example, in Claude Code or Codex: ``` > hallmark audit ``` The skill should respond with its audit workflow, referencing files from the `references/` directory. If you receive "command not found" or missing file errors, verify that: 1. The [`SKILL.md`](https://github.com/Nutlope/hallmark/blob/main/SKILL.md) file exists in the target directory 2. The `references/` subdirectory is fully copied (not empty) 3. File permissions allow read access --- ## Key Files and Their Roles | File | Location | Purpose | |------|----------|---------| | [`SKILL.md`](https://github.com/Nutlope/hallmark/blob/main/SKILL.md) | `skills/hallmark/` | Main skill definition; contains verb table, version metadata, and structured usage notes | | `references/` | `skills/hallmark/references/` | Runtime documentation including macrostructures, theme definitions, and slop-test rules | | [`site/css/tokens.css`](https://github.com/Nutlope/hallmark/blob/main/site/css/tokens.css) | Repository root | Token stylesheet that Hallmark populates when applying themes | | [`site/index.html`](https://github.com/Nutlope/hallmark/blob/main/site/index.html) | Repository root | Live demo page demonstrating a complete Hallmark build | | [`docs/recipes.md`](https://github.com/Nutlope/hallmark/blob/main/docs/recipes.md) | Repository root | End-to-end usage examples in human-readable format | The `references/` directory is **essential**—Hallmark reads these files dynamically rather than embedding their content in [`SKILL.md`](https://github.com/Nutlope/hallmark/blob/main/SKILL.md). Omitting this directory causes runtime failures. --- ## Summary - **One command installs everywhere:** `npx skills add nutlope/hallmark` fetches the latest version from npm - **Claude Code** uses `~/.claude/skills/hallmark/` with full directory copy - **Cursor** requires `.cursor/rules/hallmark.mdc` with front-matter stripped - **Codex** offers `~/.codex/skills/hallmark/` (personal) or `.codex/skills/hallmark/` (project-scoped) - Always include the `references/` directory—it's required at runtime --- ## Frequently Asked Questions ### What Node.js version is required to run the npx installation command? Any Node.js version with `npx` bundled (Node 8.2.0+) works. The command executes without installing Hallmark globally, so version conflicts are minimal. ### Can I install Hallmark on multiple assistants simultaneously? Yes. Run `npx skills add nutlope/hallmark` once, then copy the resulting `skills/hallmark/` files to each assistant's location as documented above. The same skill package serves all three assistants. ### Why does Cursor require stripping front-matter from SKILL.md? Cursor's `.mdc` rule parser treats YAML front-matter as configuration rather than content. The `sed` command removes the `---` delimited header so Cursor reads the verb definitions and instructions correctly. ### Where are the Hallmark verbs defined? The verb table—`audit`, `redesign`, `study`, and the default design flow—is structured in [[`SKILL.md`](https://github.com/Nutlope/hallmark/blob/main/SKILL.md)](https://github.com/Nutlope/hallmark/blob/main/skills/hallmark/SKILL.md). Each verb maps to specific interaction patterns documented in the `references/` files.