How to Install i-have-adhd in Claude Code: Complete Setup Guide

TL;DR: Run claude plugin marketplace add ayghri/i-have-adhd followed by claude plugin install i-have-adhd@i-have-adhd, then type /i-have-adhd in any chat to activate ADHD-friendly response formatting.

The i-have-adhd repository by ayghri/i-have-adhd is a Claude Code plugin that reshapes AI responses for ADHD-friendly readability—using bullet points, clear structure, and reduced cognitive load. Unlike standard Claude Code interactions, this plugin registers as a skill that you invoke on demand or enable permanently for every session.

This guide walks through the exact installation steps, activation methods, and optional auto-start configuration based on the source code in README.md, INSTALL.md, and plugin.json.

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Prerequisites

Before installing, ensure you have:

• Claude Code CLI installed and authenticated
• GitHub access to reach the public ayghri/i-have-adhd repository
• Write permissions to ~/.claude/ for optional auto-start configuration

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Step 1: Add the Plugin to Claude Code's Marketplace

Claude Code plugins are distributed through a built-in marketplace. First, register the repository as a known source:

claude plugin marketplace add ayghri/i-have-adhd

This command authenticates with GitHub and pulls the plugin metadata from .claude-plugin/plugin.json at the repository root.

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Step 2: Install the i-have-adhd Plugin

Once the marketplace entry exists, install the plugin itself:

claude plugin install i-have-adhd@i-have-adhd

Claude Code downloads the plugin definition, validates the plugin.json schema, and registers the skill. The installation completes in seconds with no additional dependencies.

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Step 3: Activate the Skill with the Slash Command

After installation, start any Claude Code chat session and type:

/i-have-adhd

The skill immediately applies ADHD-friendly formatting rules sourced from skills/i-have-adhd/SKILL.md. These rules include:

• Structured output with clear headings and bullet lists
• Reduced verbosity by eliminating filler language
• Explicit action items highlighted for task completion

The skill remains dormant in your session history and responds only when invoked, thanks to disable-model-invocation: true declared in SKILL.md frontmatter.

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Optional: Enable Automatic Activation for Every Session

To skip manual activation, create a flag file that triggers auto-loading via the SessionStart hook in hooks/hooks.json:

touch ~/.claude/.i-have-adhd-always

The hook detects this file on session startup and pre-injects the skill's rules—no slash command needed.

To disable auto-activation later:

rm ~/.claude/.i-have-adhd-always

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Verifying Your Installation

Confirm successful installation by checking active skills:

claude plugin list

You should see i-have-adhd with status installed. Test functionality by starting a new chat and observing formatted responses after running /i-have-adhd.

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Updating or Uninstalling

Update to latest version:

claude plugin update i-have-adhd@i-have-adhd

Remove completely:

claude plugin uninstall i-have-adhd@i-have-adhd

Remove the auto-start flag if present: rm ~/.claude/.i-have-adhd-always

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Key Source Files Behind the Plugin

Understanding these files clarifies how the plugin integrates with Claude Code:

File	Purpose
.claude-plugin/plugin.json	Declares plugin metadata, entry points, and version compatibility that Claude Code reads during marketplace add
skills/i-have-adhd/SKILL.md	Contains the response rule set and disable-model-invocation: true flag controlling activation behavior
hooks/hooks.json	Defines the SessionStart hook that checks for ~/.claude/.i-have-adhd-always and auto-loads the skill
README.md (lines 24-30)	Primary installation documentation for Claude Code users
INSTALL.md (lines 38-42)	Detailed instructions including the always-on flag mechanism

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Summary

• Install i-have-adhd in Claude Code with two CLI commands: marketplace add then plugin install
• Activate manually via /i-have-adhd or auto-enable with ~/.claude/.i-have-adhd-always
• The plugin architecture keeps the skill lightweight—rules live in SKILL.md and execute only when requested
• Auto-start logic runs through hooks/hooks.json checking for the flag file on every session start

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does the i-have-adhd plugin actually do to Claude's responses?

The plugin applies formatting rules from skills/i-have-adhd/SKILL.md that restructure Claude's output—prioritizing bullet lists, clear section breaks, explicit next steps, and reduced cognitive overhead. It does not change Claude's reasoning or knowledge base, only presentation.

Why do I need both marketplace add and plugin install commands?

marketplace add registers the GitHub repository as a trusted source in Claude Code's plugin index. plugin install downloads and activates the specific plugin version. According to the source in README.md, both steps are required for first-time setup.

Can I use i-have-adhd alongside other Claude Code plugins?

Yes. The skill uses disable-model-invocation: true in its frontmatter, meaning it defers to other active skills unless explicitly invoked with /i-have-adhd. No conflicts occur with standard Claude Code operation.

How do I know if the auto-start flag is working?

Start a fresh Claude Code session and check that responses appear in the ADHD-friendly format without typing /i-have-adhd. If not, verify ~/.claude/.i-have-adhd-always exists and that hooks/hooks.json is properly registered in your Claude Code installation.

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