# How to Activate the 'i-have-adhd' Skill in Your Coding Assistant Session: Complete Guide

> Learn how to activate the i-have-adhd skill in your coding assistant. Install the plugin and use the /i-have-adhd command or enable always-on mode for enhanced productivity.

- Repository: [Ayoub Ghriss/i-have-adhd](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd)
- Tags: how-to-guide
- Published: 2026-09-02

---

**To activate the 'i-have-adhd' skill, install the plugin for your coding assistant (Claude Code, Codex, Gemini CLI, etc.), then invoke it with `/i-have-adhd` or enable always-on mode with a flag file.**

The 'i-have-adhd' skill from [ayghri/i-have-adhd](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd) is a productivity-enhancing plugin that reshapes AI assistant responses for ADHD-friendly interaction. Once activated, it enforces 10 core rules—action-first formatting, bounded steps, concrete time estimates, and no preamble clutter—defined in [[`skills/i-have-adhd/SKILL.md`](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/skills/i-have-adhd/SKILL.md)](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/skills/i-have-adhd/SKILL.md). This guide covers installation and activation across all supported runtimes.

## How the 'i-have-adhd' Skill Architecture Works

The skill follows a consistent pattern across platforms, as documented in [[`AGENTS.md`](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/AGENTS.md)](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/AGENTS.md):

- **Core rules**: Single source of truth in [`SKILL.md`](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/SKILL.md) (10 ADHD-friendly response rules)
- **Runtime adapters**: Platform-specific manifests in `.claude-plugin/`, `.codex-plugin/`, [`opencode.json`](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/opencode.json), etc.
- **Activation modes**: Explicit invocation per session OR always-on via flag file

The always-on mechanism relies on a **SessionStart hook** (Claude Code) or equivalent auto-loading snippet (other agents) that injects rules when a flag file exists—`~/.claude/.i-have-adhd-always` for Claude Code, or analogous paths per runtime.

## Activating the 'i-have-adhd' Skill by Runtime

### Claude Code

Claude Code uses the plugin marketplace and slash-command activation.

```bash

# One-time installation

claude plugin marketplace add ayghri/i-have-adhd
claude plugin install i-have-adhd@i-have-adhd

# Activate for current session

/i-have-adhd

```

**Enable always-on mode** so the skill loads automatically:

```bash
touch ~/.claude/.i-have-adhd-always

```

### Codex

Codex follows a similar plugin pattern with `$` prefix activation.

```bash

# Install the skill

codex plugin marketplace add ayghri/i-have-adhd --ref main
codex plugin add i-have-adhd@i-have-adhd

# Activate for current session

$i-have-adhd

```

### Gemini CLI

Two installation paths exist: command route (manual) or extension route (always-on).

**Command route** (manual activation per session):

```bash

# Download the command file

curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/main/skills/i-have-adhd/agents/gemini.toml \
  -o ~/.gemini/commands/i-have-adhd.toml

# Activate

/i-have-adhd

```

**Extension route** (automatic loading via [`GEMINI.md`](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/GEMINI.md)):

```bash
gemini extensions install https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd

```

### Pi

Pi supports explicit on/off toggling.

```bash

# Install

pi install https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd

# Activate variants

/i-have-adhd        # toggle current session

/i-have-adhd on     # explicitly enable

/i-have-adhd off    # explicitly disable

```

### Oh My Pi (OMP)

```bash
omp plugin marketplace add ayghri/i-have-adhd
omp plugin install --scope user i-have-adhd@i-have-adhd

# Activate

/i-have-adhd

```

### Qwen Code

```bash
qwen extensions install ayghri/i-have-adhd

# Activate

/i-have-adhd

```

### Zed

Zed imports skills directly via URL to [`SKILL.md`](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/SKILL.md).

```bash

# Import (paste URL into Zed's skill import)

https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/skills/i-have-adhd/SKILL.md

# Activate

/i-have-adhd

```

### Generic Harness (Cursor, Amp, etc.)

For assistants without dedicated plugin systems, use the `npx skills` CLI.

```bash

# Workspace-only installation

npx skills add ayghri/i-have-adhd

# Global installation

npx skills add ayghri/i-have-adhd -g

# Activate

/i-have-adhd

```

## Manual Always-On Setup for Any Assistant

If your coding assistant supports persistent rules files but lacks a formal plugin system, paste the core rules directly. Add this block to your agent's always-on rules file (e.g., `~/.cursor/rules/always.md`, `~/.config/opencode/AGENTS.md`):

```markdown

## Output style

The reader has ADHD. Shape every response so it can be acted on:

1. Lead with the answer or next action: command, path, or snippet first.
2. Number multi-step work; one bounded action per step.
3. End with one next action doable in under two minutes.
4. Finish the current issue before raising a new one.
5. Restate progress each turn ("step 3 of 5 done").
6. Give time estimates in concrete units, never "a bit".
7. After a change, show what now works.
8. Errors: state location, cause, and fix. No drama.
9. Cap lists at 5 items.
10. No preamble, no recaps, no closers.

```

These 10 rules mirror the definition in [[`SKILL.md`](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/SKILL.md)](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/skills/i-have-adhd/SKILL.md) and activate the same behavioral changes without plugin infrastructure.

## Key Reference Files in the Repository

| File | Purpose | Location |
|------|---------|----------|
| [`SKILL.md`](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/SKILL.md) | **10 ADHD-friendly response rules**—the core rule set all runtimes implement | [`skills/i-have-adhd/SKILL.md`](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/skills/i-have-adhd/SKILL.md) |
| [`INSTALL.md`](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/INSTALL.md) | Platform-specific commands for install, verify, and update | Repository root |
| [`AGENTS.md`](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/AGENTS.md) | Runtime-to-entry-point mapping (Claude, Codex, Gemini, Pi, OMP, Qwen, Zed) | Repository root |
| [`README.md`](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/README.md) | High-level overview and quick-start pointer | Repository root |

## Summary

- **Install once**: Use marketplace commands, `curl`, `npm`, or direct URL import per your assistant.
- **Activate per session**: Type `/i-have-adhd` (or `$i-have-adhd` in Codex).
- **Enable always-on**: Create a flag file like `~/.claude/.i-have-adhd-always` or use the extension auto-load path.
- **Fallback option**: Paste the 10 rules manually into persistent rules files for unsupported assistants.

The skill activates immediately upon invocation, restructuring all subsequent responses to prioritize actionability, clarity, and ADHD-friendly formatting.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### What does the 'i-have-adhd' skill actually change in assistant responses?

The skill enforces **10 concrete formatting rules** from [`SKILL.md`](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/SKILL.md): leading with actionable answers, numbering steps, capping lists at 5 items, providing concrete time estimates, eliminating preamble/recap chatter, and restating progress each turn. Responses become scannable, bounded, and immediately useful rather than verbose and open-ended.

### Can I use the 'i-have-adhd' skill with Cursor or other assistants not officially listed?

Yes. Any assistant supporting persistent system prompts or rules files can use the skill. Either install via `npx skills add ayghri/i-have-adhd` for the generic harness, or manually paste the 10 rules into your editor's rules file (e.g., `~/.cursor/rules/always.md`). The [[`INSTALL.md`](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/INSTALL.md)](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/INSTALL.md) file documents fallback methods.

### Why does Claude Code use a flag file for always-on mode instead of a setting?

The **SessionStart hook** in Claude Code's plugin system checks for `~/.claude/.i-have-adhd-always` at session initialization. This file-based flag avoids modifying global Claude settings while allowing per-user, persistent activation. Delete the file to disable auto-loading without uninstalling the plugin.

### How do I verify the skill is active in my current session?

Check that responses follow the **10-rule format**: action-first opening, numbered steps, progress restatement ("step X of Y"), concrete time units, no preamble, and capped lists. If rules aren't applying, re-run the activation command (`/i-have-adhd`) and confirm the plugin installed correctly per [[`AGENTS.md`](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/AGENTS.md)](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/AGENTS.md).