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

Run npx skills add ayghri/i-have-adhd -a github-copilot in your project directory to install the i-have-adhd skill locally, or add the -g flag for global installation; the skill requires no additional extensions and activates immediately in GitHub Copilot chat by typing /i-have-adhd.

The ayghri/i-have-adhd repository provides a lightweight, Markdown-based skill that instructs GitHub Copilot to follow 10 ADHD-friendly response rules. Because Copilot natively supports skill definitions placed in specific directories, you can install i-have-adhd for GitHub Copilot without downloading a traditional extension. This guide covers both automated CLI installation and manual setup using the repository's skills/i-have-adhd folder.

What Is the i-have-adhd Skill?

Skill Architecture and Rule Set

At its core, the skill is a single SKILL.md file located at skills/i-have-adhd/SKILL.md in the repository. This file defines 10 ADHD-friendly response rules that modify how Copilot structures its answers—prioritizing conciseness, action-first formatting, and clear hierarchical organization. According to the source code, Copilot reads these rules at startup from any folder named .github/skills/, .claude/skills/, .agents/skills/, or the global directory at ~/.copilot/skills/.

Prerequisites

Before you install i-have-adhd for GitHub Copilot, ensure you have:

• An active GitHub Copilot subscription (VS Code extension or CLI)
• Node.js and npm installed (required only if using the npx skills CLI method)

Installation Methods

Method 1: Using the npx skills CLI (Recommended)

The official INSTALL.md (lines 82-106) documents the CLI approach as the fastest way to configure the skill. The npx skills command automatically creates the correct directory structure and copies the skill files.

For project-local installation:

npx skills add ayghri/i-have-adhd -a github-copilot

This command downloads the skill into .github/skills/i-have-adhd/ within your current repository.

For global installation (available across all projects):

npx skills add ayghri/i-have-adhd -a github-copilot -g

The -g flag places the skill in ~/.copilot/skills/i-have-adhd/, making it accessible regardless of which directory you open in VS Code.

Method 2: Manual Installation

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

git clone https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd.git
mkdir -p ~/.copilot/skills
cp -R i-have-adhd/skills/i-have-adhd ~/.copilot/skills/

Alternatively, for a single project only:

mkdir -p .github/skills
cp -R i-have-adhd/skills/i-have-adhd .github/skills/

After manual installation, restart VS Code or reload the Copilot CLI to load the new skill definitions.

Verifying the Installation

To confirm the skill is active, use the CLI verification commands:

npx skills list        # Shows project-local skills

npx skills ls -g       # Shows globally installed skills

In the VS Code Copilot Chat panel, type / to open the command palette. You should see i-have-adhd listed as an available skill. Selecting it applies the 10 ADHD-friendly response rules defined in skills/i-have-adhd/SKILL.md to your current conversation.

How the Skill Works

Unlike traditional extensions that require runtime JavaScript execution, i-have-adhd is a declarative skill. Copilot consumes the plain Markdown definitions at startup, reading the instructions from SKILL.md to adjust its output style. The file resides in the watched skills/ directory—either local (.github/skills/) or global (~/.copilot/skills/). This architecture means the installation process does not require any runtime plugin or extension; the skill is a plain Markdown definition that Copilot reads at startup, making the setup identical whether you are using the VS Code extension or the standalone Copilot CLI.

Summary

• The i-have-adhd skill is defined in skills/i-have-adhd/SKILL.md and contains 10 rules for ADHD-friendly AI responses.
• Install locally with npx skills add ayghri/i-have-adhd -a github-copilot or globally by adding the -g flag.
• Manual installation requires copying the skills/i-have-adhd folder to ~/.copilot/skills/ (global) or .github/skills/ (project).
• Verify installation using npx skills list or by typing / in the Copilot chat interface.
• No additional VS Code extension is needed because Copilot natively parses skill definitions from designated directories.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to install a separate VS Code extension for i-have-adhd?

No. The i-have-adhd skill requires no runtime plugin or extension. Copilot natively scans directories like .github/skills/ and ~/.copilot/skills/ at startup, reading the plain Markdown definition directly from SKILL.md.

Can I use i-have-adhd with GitHub Copilot CLI only, without VS Code?

Yes. Because the skill is a declarative Markdown file, it works identically in the standalone Copilot CLI and VS Code. Install it globally using npx skills add ayghri/i-have-adhd -a github-copilot -g so the CLI can access the rules from ~/.copilot/skills/.

Where does the npx skills CLI place the skill files?

For project-local installations, the CLI creates a .github/skills/ directory in your repository root and copies the files there. For global installations (using -g), it places them in ~/.copilot/skills/i-have-adhd/, as documented in the repository's INSTALL.md.

How do I uninstall or remove the i-have-adhd skill?

Run npx skills remove ayghri/i-have-adhd to delete the local version, or npx skills remove ayghri/i-have-adhd -g for global removal. If you installed manually, simply delete the i-have-adhd folder from .github/skills/ or ~/.copilot/skills/.

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