How to Install i-have-adhd for Cursor: Complete Setup Guide

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, 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:

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.

Method 2: Manual Installation

If you prefer not to use npx, clone the repository and copy the skill manually:

# 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.

Verifying the Installation

Confirm Cursor recognizes the skill by listing installed skills:

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 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. 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 (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 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 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.

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