# How to Install i-have-adhd for Cursor: Complete Setup Guide > Easily install i-have-adhd for Cursor with our complete setup guide. Follow simple commands or manual steps to activate this powerful skill in your IDE. - Repository: [Ayoub Ghriss/i-have-adhd](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd) - Tags: how-to-guide - Published: 2026-08-07 --- **Install the i-have-adhd skill for Cursor by running `npx skills add ayghri/i-have-adhd -a cursor -y` or manually copying the skill folder to `~/.cursor/skills/`, then activate it with `/i-have-adhd` in any chat.** The `i-have-adhd` repository by ayghri provides an Agent Skill that optimizes AI output for readers with ADHD. Installing this skill into Cursor allows you to toggle an ADHD-focused output style that structures responses for better focus and readability. ## What Is the i-have-adhd Cursor Skill? The **i-have-adhd** skill follows the open **Agent Skills** specification, enabling Cursor to discover and load custom behavior modifications. According to the source code in [`skills/i-have-adhd/SKILL.md`](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/skills/i-have-adhd/SKILL.md), the skill defines its identity through YAML front-matter containing `name: i-have-adhd`, which Cursor uses to map the `/i-have-adhd` chat command to the skill’s rule set. Cursor discovers skills by scanning the `~/.cursor/skills/` directory (or project-local `.cursor/skills/` folders). When properly installed, the skill intercepts your chat context and reformats AI responses to accommodate ADHD reading patterns—using concise sections, clear structure, and reduced cognitive load. ## Prerequisites Before installing, ensure you have: - **Cursor** editor installed (latest version recommended) - **Node.js and npm** (only required for the CLI installation method) ## Installation Methods You can install the skill using the official `npx` CLI or by manually copying the source files. ### Method 1: Install via npx CLI (Recommended) The fastest method uses the skills CLI to automatically place files in the correct directory: ```bash npx skills add ayghri/i-have-adhd -a cursor -y ``` The `-a cursor` flag directs the installer to Cursor’s skill folder (`~/.cursor/skills/`), while `-y` skips interactive prompts. This command downloads the skill from the GitHub repository and validates the directory structure against the `name` field in [`SKILL.md`](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/SKILL.md). ### Method 2: Manual Installation If you prefer not to use `npx`, clone the repository and copy the skill manually: ```bash # Clone the repository git clone https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd # Create Cursor's skill directory if it doesn't exist mkdir -p ~/.cursor/skills # Copy the skill folder (name must match the 'name' in SKILL.md front-matter) cp -R i-have-adhd/skills/i-have-adhd ~/.cursor/skills/ ``` Ensure the final path is `~/.cursor/skills/i-have-adhd/` so Cursor correctly associates the folder with the command trigger defined in [`skills/i-have-adhd/SKILL.md`](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/skills/i-have-adhd/SKILL.md). ## Verifying the Installation Confirm Cursor recognizes the skill by listing installed skills: ```bash npx skills list # or npx skills ls -g ``` The output should display `i-have-adhd` among available skills. If missing, verify the folder exists at `~/.cursor/skills/i-have-adhd` and contains the [`SKILL.md`](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/SKILL.md) file with valid front-matter. ## Using the Skill in Cursor Once installed, you control the skill through chat commands or permanent settings. ### Activating per Chat Open any Cursor chat and type: ``` /i-have-adhd ``` This activates the ADHD-focused output style for the current session. The skill shapes all subsequent AI responses according to the rules defined in [`skills/i-have-adhd/SKILL.md`](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/skills/i-have-adhd/SKILL.md). To deactivate, type **"stop adhd mode"** or **"normal mode"**. ### Enabling Always-On Mode To make the skill active by default for every session, add the rule snippet from [`INSTALL.md`](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/INSTALL.md) (lines 33-51) to Cursor’s user settings: 1. Open **Cursor → Settings → Rules → User Rules** 2. Paste the configuration block that begins with `## Output style` and includes the ADHD context instructions This permanently applies the output formatting without requiring the `/i-have-adhd` command prefix. ## Summary - The **i-have-adhd** skill is defined in [`skills/i-have-adhd/SKILL.md`](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/skills/i-have-adhd/SKILL.md) with front-matter that registers the `/i-have-adhd` command. - Install via `npx skills add ayghri/i-have-adhd -a cursor -y` or manual copy to `~/.cursor/skills/`. - Verify installation with `npx skills list`. - Activate per-chat with `/i-have-adhd` or enable permanently via Cursor Settings → Rules. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### Where does Cursor store installed skills? Cursor scans for skills in the `~/.cursor/skills/` directory for global access, or in `.cursor/skills/` within your project root for workspace-specific skills. The `i-have-adhd` skill must reside in a folder matching the `name` field from its [`SKILL.md`](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/SKILL.md) front-matter. ### Can I install i-have-adhd without using the npx CLI? Yes. Clone the repository from `https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd`, then copy the `skills/i-have-adhd` directory to `~/.cursor/skills/`. Ensure the final folder name is exactly `i-have-adhd` to match the skill definition. ### How do I turn off ADHD mode once activated? Type **"stop adhd mode"** or **"normal mode"** in the chat to deactivate the skill for the current session. If you enabled always-on mode via User Rules, remove the rule from **Cursor → Settings → Rules → User Rules** to restore default output. ### Does the skill work for all Cursor projects or just one? Skills installed to `~/.cursor/skills/` are available globally across all projects. If you place the skill in a project's `.cursor/skills/` folder, it is only available within that specific workspace. The `npx` CLI installs globally by default when using the `-a cursor` flag.