# How i-have-adhd Works with GitHub Copilot Skills: Installation and Usage Guide > Learn how i-have-adhd integrates with GitHub Copilot for ADHD-friendly output. Install and use the custom skill with our guide. - Repository: [Ayoub Ghriss/i-have-adhd](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd) - Tags: how-to-guide - Published: 2026-08-26 --- **The i-have-adhd repository provides a custom skill that enables ADHD-friendly output formatting in GitHub Copilot through the `/i-have-adhd` slash command, installable via the `npx skills` CLI or manual directory placement.** The `ayghri/i-have-adhd` repository delivers a specialized GitHub Copilot skill designed to modify AI responses for ADHD accessibility. When integrated, this tool alters Copilot's output style to better suit neurodivergent workflows. Understanding how i-have-adhd works with GitHub Copilot skills requires examining its discovery mechanisms, installation paths, and activation protocols. ## Skill Discovery and Directory Structure GitHub Copilot automatically scans specific directories to locate available skills. According to the source code analysis, Copilot checks project-local folders including `.github/skills/`, `.claude/skills/`, and `.agents/skills/`, as well as global directories at `~/.copilot/skills/`, `~/.claude/skills/`, and `~/.agents/skills/`. When Copilot detects the `i-have-adhd` folder in any of these locations, it loads the skill definition from [`skills/i-have-adhd/SKILL.md`](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/skills/i-have-adhd/SKILL.md) and registers the `/i-have-adhd` slash command for immediate use in chat sessions. ## Installing the i-have-adhd Copilot Skill You can install the skill using either the Copilot CLI toolchain or manual file placement. Both methods make the skill available as a slash command within Copilot Chat. ### CLI Installation via npx skills The recommended approach uses the `npx skills` command to add the skill directly to your project or global environment. For project-local installation: ```bash npx skills add ayghri/i-have-adhd -a github-copilot ``` For global installation (available across all projects): ```bash npx skills add ayghri/i-have-adhd -a github-copilot -g ``` Verify the installation by listing available skills: ```bash npx skills list npx skills ls -g # For globally installed skills ``` ### Manual Installation Without CLI When the CLI is unavailable, manually clone the repository and copy the skill folder to Copilot's global skills directory: ```bash git clone https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd mkdir -p ~/.copilot/skills cp -R i-have-adhd/skills/i-have-adhd ~/.copilot/skills/ ``` This places the skill definition where Copilot automatically scans during startup, making the `/i-have-adhd` command available without additional configuration. ## Activating ADHD Mode in Copilot Chat Copilot does not automatically invoke the skill; you must explicitly activate it. Open any Copilot Chat window (in VS Code or the CLI) and type: ``` /i-have-adhd ``` The skill remains active for the current session. To deactivate ADHD mode, type `stop adhd mode` in the chat or invoke the `/i-have-adhd` command again to toggle the setting off. ## Core Files and Architecture The implementation relies on specific files that define the skill behavior and installation logic: - **[`skills/i-have-adhd/SKILL.md`](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/skills/i-have-adhd/SKILL.md)**: Contains the core skill definition with ADHD-friendly formatting rules that modify Copilot's output style - **[`INSTALL.md`](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/INSTALL.md)**: Provides comprehensive installation instructions for all supported agents, including the Copilot-specific `npx skills` workflow - **`~/.copilot/skills/`**: The global directory where Copilot searches for user-wide skill packages - **`.github/skills/`**: The project-local directory for repository-specific skill installation ## Summary - The i-have-adhd skill integrates with GitHub Copilot by placing its [`SKILL.md`](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/SKILL.md) definition in scanned skill directories - Install via `npx skills add ayghri/i-have-adhd -a github-copilot` or manually copy to `~/.copilot/skills/` - Activate the formatting changes by typing `/i-have-adhd` in any Copilot Chat session - Deactivate by typing `stop adhd mode` or toggling the command again - The skill persists only for the current chat session and does not affect default Copilot behavior ## Frequently Asked Questions ### Where does GitHub Copilot look for skills? GitHub Copilot scans multiple predefined paths during initialization. It checks project directories `.github/skills/`, `.claude/skills/`, and `.agents/skills/`, followed by global user directories `~/.copilot/skills/`, `~/.claude/skills/`, and `~/.agents/skills/`. The first valid skill definition found in these locations becomes available as a slash command. ### Can I use this skill in VS Code and the Copilot CLI simultaneously? Yes. Once installed globally in `~/.copilot/skills/` or locally in your project, the skill works across both the VS Code Copilot Chat interface and the Copilot CLI. Both interfaces recognize the same skill definition and respond to the `/i-have-adhd` activation command. ### How do I turn off ADHD mode once activated? To disable the skill during an active session, type `stop adhd mode` in the Copilot Chat window. Alternatively, invoking the `/i-have-adhd` command again toggles the mode off. The deactivation returns Copilot to its standard output formatting for the remainder of the session. ### Is the skill available per-project or globally? The i-have-adhd skill supports both installation scopes. Use `npx skills add ayghri/i-have-adhd -a github-copilot` for project-local availability (stored in `.github/skills/`) or add the `-g` flag for global access across all repositories. Manual installation in `~/.copilot/skills/` also provides global availability.