How to Add i-have-adhd to Pi Agent: Complete Setup Guide

To add i-have-adhd to Pi agent, install the skill using npx skills add ayghri/i-have-adhd -a pi, enable slash commands in ~/.pi/settings.json, then activate it with /skill:i-have-adhd in any chat session.

The i-have-adhd repository by ayghri provides a specialized skill that optimizes AI responses for readers with ADHD. According to the source code, this skill follows the Agent Skills specification and integrates natively with Pi agent without requiring conversion steps. When you add i-have-adhd to Pi agent, the system applies specific formatting rules—such as leading with actionable next steps and numbering multi-step tasks—to every response in your session.

What is the i-have-adhd Skill?

The skill is defined in skills/i-have-adhd/SKILL.md and consists of a front-matter header paired with Markdown instructions. Unlike generic system prompts, this skill uses the Agent Skills specification that Pi implements natively.

Key characteristics include:

• Explicit invocation only: The front-matter sets disable-model-invocation: true, preventing Pi from auto-triggering the skill
• Slash-command activation: You must manually invoke it using /skill:i-have-adhd
• Session-based rules: Once activated, formatting rules persist until you type "stop adhd mode" or "normal mode"

Installation Steps

Step 1: Install the Skill via CLI

Pi provides a dedicated CLI tool for skill management. Run the following command to clone the repository and register the skill with your Pi agent:

npx skills add ayghri/i-have-adhd -a pi -y

This command automatically handles repository cloning and skill registration per the instructions in INSTALL.md.

Step 2: Enable Slash Commands

Before you can invoke the skill, you must enable slash-command support in Pi's configuration. Open or create ~/.pi/settings.json and add the following setting:

{
  "enableSkillCommands": true
}

This one-time configuration allows Pi to recognize and process /skill: prefixed commands.

Step 3: Activate the Skill in Chat

Start a new Pi session and type the activation command:

/skill:i-have-adhd

Once activated, Pi applies the skill's rules from SKILL.md to all subsequent responses. These rules include leading with the next action, numbering multi-step tasks, and providing concrete time estimates.

How the Skill Works

When you add i-have-adhd to Pi agent, the system reads skills/i-have-adhd/SKILL.md directly—no compilation or conversion step is required. The skill file contains:

• Front-matter metadata: Defines parameters like disable-model-invocation: true
• Behavioral rules: Structured instructions that shape how Pi formats information for ADHD readers
• Activation triggers: Defines the /skill:i-have-adhd command and deactivation phrases

Because Pi implements the Agent Skills standard natively, it parses these instructions at runtime and applies them to the model's output generation.

Deactivating the Skill

To return to standard output formatting, simply type one of the following commands in your chat session:

stop adhd mode

Or:

normal mode

The skill remains installed but enters an inactive state until you invoke /skill:i-have-adhd again.

Summary

• Install the i-have-adhd skill using npx skills add ayghri/i-have-adhd -a pi
• Configure Pi to accept skill commands by setting "enableSkillCommands": true in ~/.pi/settings.json
• Activate the skill in any session with /skill:i-have-adhd
• Deactivate using "stop adhd mode" when you want standard formatting
• The skill definition lives in skills/i-have-adhd/SKILL.md and is read directly by Pi without conversion

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the i-have-adhd skill defined in the repository?

The skill is defined in skills/i-have-adhd/SKILL.md. This file contains the front-matter metadata and behavioral rules that Pi uses to format ADHD-friendly responses.

Why do I need to enable slash commands in settings.json?

The enableSkillCommands setting in ~/.pi/settings.json is required because the i-have-adhd skill sets disable-model-invocation: true in its front-matter. This prevents automatic invocation, meaning Pi only activates the skill when you explicitly type the /skill:i-have-adhd command.

Can I use the i-have-adhd skill with other agents besides Pi?

Yes. According to README.md and INSTALL.md, the repository supports multiple agents. However, the specific installation commands and configuration files vary by platform. The -a pi flag in the CLI command ensures the skill is configured specifically for Pi agent compatibility.

What specific formatting changes does the skill apply?

As implemented in SKILL.md, the skill instructs Pi to lead responses with the next concrete action, number all multi-step tasks, provide specific time estimates rather than vague durations, and structure information to reduce cognitive load for readers with ADHD.

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