# How to Install and Configure i-have-adhd for Cursor IDE with the Skills System > Install and configure the i-have-adhd skill for Cursor IDE using npx. Learn how to integrate the skills system for enhanced productivity. Verify installation and optionally set automatic rule application. - Repository: [Ayoub Ghriss/i-have-adhd](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd) - Tags: how-to-guide - Published: 2026-07-22 --- **Install the i-have-adhd skill for Cursor IDE by running `npx skills add ayghri/i-have-adhd -a cursor -y`, which copies the rule set into `~/.cursor/skills/`, then verify with `npx skills list` and optionally add the rules to Cursor's User Rules for automatic application across all sessions.** The `i-have-adhd` skill from the `ayghri/i-have-adhd` repository reshapes AI output for readers with ADHD by enforcing concise, actionable formatting. Installing and configuring i-have-adhd for Cursor IDE requires placing the skill files in Cursor's skills directory and optionally enabling persistent rules for automatic activation. The implementation relies on a simple markdown-based skill system where Cursor scans for [`SKILL.md`](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/SKILL.md) files containing specific frontmatter directives. ## Understanding the i-have-adhd Skill Architecture The skill is a plain-text description stored in [`skills/i-have-adhd/SKILL.md`](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/skills/i-have-adhd/SKILL.md) that tells any agent-skills-compatible harness how to reshape its output. When you add the skill to Cursor, the IDE scans the folder `~/.cursor/skills/` for a sub-directory whose `frontmatter.name` matches the folder name (`i-have-adhd`). The skill's rules are then loaded at session start and remain active until you type "stop adhd mode". According to the repository source code, a CI workflow in [`.github/workflows/cursor-skill-sync.yml`](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/.github/workflows/cursor-skill-sync.yml) ensures the on-disk copy under `.cursor/skills/` stays synchronized with the canonical source. This guarantees that Cursor always loads the latest version of the formatting rules. ## Installation Methods ### Method 1: Using the Skills CLI (Recommended) The `skills` CLI is the fastest way to install the skill into Cursor's default skills path. This copies the necessary files into `~/.cursor/skills/` and makes the skill immediately discoverable by Cursor's agent runtime. ```bash # Install the skill for the current user (default Cursor path) npx skills add ayghri/i-have-adhd -a cursor -y ``` ### Method 2: Manual Installation For offline environments or air-gapped systems, manually clone the repository and copy the skill files into Cursor's skills directory. ```bash git clone https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd mkdir -p ~/.cursor/skills cp -R i-have-adhd/skills/i-have-adhd ~/.cursor/skills/ ``` ## Verifying the Installation After installation, confirm that Cursor recognizes the skill by listing all available skills. The output should display `i-have-adhd` among the active skills. ```bash npx skills list ``` If the skill appears in the list, Cursor will load the rules from `~/.cursor/skills/i-have-adhd/` (or the project-local `.cursor/skills/` directory) at the start of each session. ## Configuring Activation Behavior ### Session-Based Activation By default, the skill loads when explicitly invoked and stays active until you type "stop adhd mode". This allows you to toggle the formatting style mid-conversation without changing global settings. ### Always-On Configuration To apply the i-have-adhd formatting rules to every Cursor session automatically, add the rule set to Cursor's persistent rules file. Navigate to **Settings → Rules → User Rules** (or create `.cursor/rules/` in your project root) and paste the following snippet: ```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. ## ## Exceptions: explain fully when asked to explain. Confirm before destructive actions. ``` This eliminates the need to type `/i-have-adhd` at the start of each conversation. ## Key Files in the Repository Understanding the source layout helps when troubleshooting or contributing to the skill: - **[`skills/i-have-adhd/SKILL.md`](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/skills/i-have-adhd/SKILL.md)** — The core rule set that defines the ADHD-friendly output format. - **[`INSTALL.md`](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/INSTALL.md)** — The human-readable installation guide containing Cursor-specific commands. - **`.cursor/skills/i-have-adhd/`** — The on-disk copy that Cursor actually loads; kept in sync with the source via CI. - **[`.github/workflows/cursor-skill-sync.yml`](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/.github/workflows/cursor-skill-sync.yml)** — The CI job that fails if the copy under `.cursor/skills/` drifts from [`skills/i-have-adhd/SKILL.md`](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/skills/i-have-adhd/SKILL.md). ## Summary - **Install** the skill using `npx skills add ayghri/i-have-adhd -a cursor -y` or manually copy files to `~/.cursor/skills/`. - **Verify** installation with `npx skills list` to ensure Cursor detects the `i-have-adhd` skill. - **Configure** always-on mode by adding the rules snippet to Cursor's User Rules in Settings. - **Disable** temporarily by typing "stop adhd mode" in the chat. - **Update** automatically via the CI-synchronized copy in `.cursor/skills/i-have-adhd/`. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### Where does Cursor look for the i-have-adhd skill files? Cursor scans the `~/.cursor/skills/` directory (or project-local `.cursor/skills/`) for subdirectories containing a [`SKILL.md`](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/SKILL.md) file. The `frontmatter.name` field inside [`SKILL.md`](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/SKILL.md) must match the folder name (`i-have-adhd`) for the skill to load correctly. ### Can I install the skill for a single project instead of globally? Yes. Place the skill files in a `.cursor/skills/i-have-adhd/` directory at your project root instead of `~/.cursor/skills/`. Cursor prioritizes project-local skills over global ones, allowing different projects to use different formatting rules. ### How do I temporarily disable the skill during a session? Type "stop adhd mode" in the chat. This deactivates the skill rules until you restart the session or explicitly re-enable them. For permanent deactivation, remove the skill from the User Rules or delete it from the skills directory. ### Will the skill automatically update when the repository changes? The repository includes a CI workflow at [`.github/workflows/cursor-skill-sync.yml`](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/.github/workflows/cursor-skill-sync.yml) that ensures the `.cursor/skills/i-have-adhd/` directory stays synchronized with the main [`SKILL.md`](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/SKILL.md) source. If you installed via the CLI, rerun `npx skills add` periodically to pull updates; for manual installations, pull the latest changes from the repository.