# How to Install the i-have-adhd Skill in Claude Code

> Learn to install the i-have-adhd skill in Claude Code. Follow simple commands to add and install the plugin from the marketplace. Enhance your Claude experience today.

- Repository: [Ayoub Ghriss/i-have-adhd](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd)
- Tags: how-to-guide
- Published: 2026-08-04

---

**To install the i-have-adhd skill in Claude Code, add the plugin to Claude's marketplace with `claude plugin marketplace add ayghri/i-have-adhd`, then install it with `claude plugin install i-have-adhd@i-have-adhd`.**

The i-have-adhd skill is a Claude Code plugin that modifies LLM output to be concise, action-first, and easier to process for people with ADHD. Developed by ayghri, this open-source skill enforces 10 specific formatting rules that strip filler text and prioritize actionable steps according to the repository's [`SKILL.md`](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/SKILL.md) file.

## Prerequisites

- **Claude Code CLI** installed and authenticated on your system
- GitHub access to fetch the `ayghri/i-have-adhd` repository
- No local clone required—Claude Code manages the repository behind the scenes

## Step-by-Step Installation

### 1. Add the Skill to Claude's Marketplace

Claude Code maintains a personal marketplace of plugins identified by GitHub repository name. Register the skill first:

```bash
claude plugin marketplace add ayghri/i-have-adhd

```

This command tells Claude Code where to locate the skill definition. It does not yet activate the skill—it only adds the source to your local plugin index ayghri/i-have-adhd.

### 2. Install the Skill

Once registered, install the skill from the marketplace. The `@i-have-adhd` suffix points to the default branch:

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

```

Claude Code downloads the repository (or updates an existing copy) and registers the skill's definition file located at [`skills/i-have-adhd/SKILL.md`](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/skills/i-have-adhd/SKILL.md).

### 3. Activate the Skill

After installation, trigger the ADHD-friendly output style with the slash command:

```

/i-have-adhd

```

All subsequent responses in that session will follow the skill's rules: leading with the next action, numbering multi-step tasks, and eliminating introductory filler.

## Persistent Activation (Optional)

To load the i-have-adhd skill automatically in every Claude Code session, create the sentinel file referenced in [`INSTALL.md`](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/INSTALL.md):

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

```

With this file present, Claude Code applies the skill's formatting rules without requiring manual `/i-have-adhd` invocation.

## Skill Implementation Details

The skill's behavior is defined in three key files:

| File | Purpose |
|------|---------|
| [`skills/i-have-adhd/SKILL.md`](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/skills/i-have-adhd/SKILL.md) | Core rule set enforcing 10 formatting guidelines (e.g., "lead with the next action", "number multi-step tasks") |
| [`skills/i-have-adhd/agents/openai.yaml`](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/skills/i-have-adhd/agents/openai.yaml) | Configuration for OpenAI-based model back-ends |
| [`skills/i-have-adhd/agents/gemini.toml`](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/skills/i-have-adhd/agents/gemini.toml) | Configuration for Gemini-based model back-ends |

The `agents` subdirectory supplies minimal configuration files that tell Claude which model back-ends the skill can use, while [`SKILL.md`](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/SKILL.md) contains the actual prompt engineering that modifies response style.

## Customizing the Skill

To override default behavior, fork the `ayghri/i-have-adhd` repository and modify [`skills/i-have-adhd/SKILL.md`](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/skills/i-have-adhd/SKILL.md). Then reinstall from your fork:

```bash
claude plugin marketplace add your-username/i-have-adhd
claude plugin install i-have-adhd@i-have-adhd

```

Your custom rule set in [`SKILL.md`](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/SKILL.md) will override the default 10 rules.

## Verification Commands

| Use Case | Command | Expected Result |
|----------|---------|---------------|
| One-off activation | `/i-have-adhd` | Immediate formatting change for current session |
| Check installation status | `claude plugin list` | Shows `i-have-adhd` in active plugins |
| Permanent activation | `touch ~/.claude/.i-have-adhd-always` | Auto-loads on every Claude Code start |
| Remove skill | `claude plugin uninstall i-have-adhd` | Removes from active plugins |

## Summary

- **Add to marketplace**: `claude plugin marketplace add ayghri/i-have-adhd`
- **Install**: `claude plugin install i-have-adhd@i-have-adhd`
- **Activate**: Type `/i-have-adhd` in any Claude Code session
- **Persist**: Create `~/.claude/.i-have-adhd-always` for automatic loading
- **Customize**: Edit [`skills/i-have-adhd/SKILL.md`](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/skills/i-have-adhd/SKILL.md) and reinstall from your fork

## Frequently Asked Questions

### Do I need to clone the repository locally to install the i-have-adhd skill?

No. Claude Code fetches the `ayghri/i-have-adhd` repository automatically when you run the marketplace and install commands. The skill files are managed behind the scenes and kept up-to-date without manual intervention.

### What exactly changes when I activate the i-have-adhd skill?

The skill enforces 10 rules defined in [`skills/i-have-adhd/SKILL.md`](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/skills/i-have-adhd/SKILL.md). These include: leading responses with the next actionable step, numbering multi-step tasks, avoiding "let me explain" filler, and using bold text for key terms. The result is shorter, scannable output optimized for ADHD cognitive processing.

### Can I use this skill with different LLM providers?

Yes. The `skills/i-have-adhd/agents/` directory contains [`openai.yaml`](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/openai.yaml) and [`gemini.toml`](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/gemini.toml) configuration files. These files specify how the skill interfaces with OpenAI and Gemini model back-ends, making the skill provider-agnostic within Claude Code's supported models.

### How do I temporarily disable the skill without uninstalling it?

Remove the sentinel file if using persistent activation (`rm ~/.claude/.i-have-adhd-always`), then restart Claude Code. For one-off deactivation in a session, there is no built-in toggle—you would need to start a fresh Claude Code instance without the skill loaded.