# How to Install Hallmark for Claude Code, Cursor, and Codex

> Install Hallmark for Claude Code Cursor and Codex in one command. Discover seamless integration without manual file copying. Get started now.

- Repository: [Hassan El Mghari/hallmark](https://github.com/Nutlope/hallmark)
- Tags: getting-started
- Published: 2026-08-01

---

**Run `npx skills add nutlope/hallmark` once to install Hallmark across Claude Code, Cursor, and Codex—no manual file copying required.**

Hallmark is an open-source skill that brings design-system auditing and redesign verbs (`audit`, `redesign`, `study`) to AI coding assistants. This guide walks through installing Hallmark for each supported environment based on the official Nutlope/hallmark repository.

## What Hallmark Installs

Hallmark is packaged as a skill—a collection of Markdown files rather than a binary. The core files live in `skills/hallmark/` and serve distinct purposes:

- [`SKILL.md`](https://github.com/Nutlope/hallmark/blob/main/SKILL.md) — The skill manifest containing the name, description, version, and command-line invocation rules
- `references/` — Directory holding architecture-level rule-sets including macrostructures, token definitions, theme gates, and slop-test configurations

When installed, these files are automatically copied to assistant-specific locations where the AI loads them at runtime.

## Installation Command

The unified installer pulls Hallmark from the npm registry and handles all path placement:

```bash
npx skills add nutlope/hallmark

```

This single command detects your environment and writes files to the appropriate destinations. No additional configuration is needed.

## Installing Hallmark for Claude Code

Claude Code loads skills from `~/.claude/skills/`. After running the installer:

```bash
ls ~/.claude/skills/hallmark/

```

You should see:

```

SKILL.md
references/

```

The skill loads automatically on your next Claude Code session. You can immediately use verbs like:

```bash
claude "hallmark audit ./src/components"

```

## Installing Hallmark for Cursor

Cursor uses markdown-code rule files placed in `.cursor/rules/`. The installer extracts the body of [`SKILL.md`](https://github.com/Nutlope/hallmark/blob/main/SKILL.md) (without front-matter) and writes it to:

```

.cursor/rules/hallmark.mdc

```

Verify the installation:

```bash
cat .cursor/rules/hallmark.mdc

```

Cursor treats this file as an editor rule-set, making Hallmark verbs available directly in the IDE. Use them in Cursor's chat or command palette.

## Installing Hallmark for Codex

Codex supports both personal and project-scoped skill installations:

| Scope | Path |
|-------|------|
| Personal | `~/.codex/skills/hallmark/` |
| Project | `.codex/skills/hallmark/` |

The installer defaults to personal scope unless run within a project context. Verify installation:

```bash
ls ~/.codex/skills/hallmark/

# or for project scope:

ls .codex/skills/hallmark/

```

Invoke Hallmark in Codex:

```bash
codex run "hallmark redesign ./src/theme.css"

```

## File Locations Reference

| Assistant | Destination Path | Content |
|-----------|------------------|---------|
| Claude Code | `~/.claude/skills/hallmark/` | Full skill with [`SKILL.md`](https://github.com/Nutlope/hallmark/blob/main/SKILL.md) and `references/` |
| Cursor | `.cursor/rules/hallmark.mdc` | Body of [`SKILL.md`](https://github.com/Nutlope/hallmark/blob/main/SKILL.md) without front-matter |
| Codex (personal) | `~/.codex/skills/hallmark/` | Full skill directory |
| Codex (project) | `.codex/skills/hallmark/` | Full skill directory |

These paths are defined in the README at lines 100-105 of the repository.

## Available Hallmark Verbs

Once installed across any assistant, three core verbs become available:

- `hallmark audit <target>` — Analyze code against design-system rules
- `hallmark redesign <target>` — Propose structural improvements using macrostructures and themes
- `hallmark study <target>` — Deep-dive into component patterns against reference implementations

Each verb consults the `references/` rule-sets at runtime to enforce consistent design-system compliance.

## Troubleshooting Installation

**Skill not loading in Claude Code?**
Ensure the directory structure matches exactly: `~/.claude/skills/hallmark/SKILL.md` must exist, not `~/.claude/skills/SKILL.md`.

**Cursor rules not appearing?**
Confirm the file extension is `.mdc` and located at `.cursor/rules/hallmark.mdc` within your project root.

**Codex cannot find Hallmark?**
Check that you're using the correct scope—personal `~/.codex/` vs. project `.codex/`—and that the `references/` subdirectory was copied alongside [`SKILL.md`](https://github.com/Nutlope/hallmark/blob/main/SKILL.md).

## Summary

- **One command installs all**: `npx skills add nutlope/hallmark` handles every assistant
- **Claude Code** uses `~/.claude/skills/hallmark/` with automatic loading
- **Cursor** receives `.cursor/rules/hallmark.mdc` as a project-local rule file
- **Codex** supports both `~/.codex/skills/hallmark/` (personal) and `.codex/skills/hallmark/` (project)
- Core files [`SKILL.md`](https://github.com/Nutlope/hallmark/blob/main/SKILL.md) and `references/` provide the manifest and runtime rule-sets

## Frequently Asked Questions

### Does Hallmark require npm or Node.js installation?

Yes. The `npx skills add` command requires Node.js and npm to fetch the package from the registry. However, Hallmark itself contains only Markdown files—no compiled binaries or runtime dependencies.

### Can I install Hallmark for multiple assistants simultaneously?

Yes. Running `npx skills add nutlope/hallmark` detects all supported assistants on your system and installs to each applicable location in a single pass. You do not need to run the command separately per assistant.

### How do I update Hallmark to a newer version?

Re-run `npx skills add nutlope/hallmark`. The installer overwrites existing skill files with the latest version from the npm registry. Your previous installations are replaced atomically—no manual cleanup of old files is necessary.