# How to Install the i-have-adhd Skill in Codex: Complete Setup Guide

> Install the i-have-adhd skill in Codex with our easy setup guide. Follow simple commands to integrate ADHD-friendly LLM output into your workflow today.

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

---

**Add the repository to Codex's marketplace with `codex plugin marketplace add ayghri/i-have-adhd --ref main`, then install the skill with `codex plugin add i-have-adhd@i-have-adhd` for ADHD-friendly LLM output.**

The **i-have-adhd** skill optimizes Codex responses for users with ADHD by enforcing action-first formatting, numbered steps, and visible progress tracking. This open-source skill from the `ayghri/i-have-adhd` repository reshapes every LLM response according to rules defined in [`skills/i-have-adhd/SKILL.md`](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/skills/i-have-adhd/SKILL.md).

## What the i-have-adhd Skill Does

When active, the skill transforms standard LLM output into **ADHD-friendly formatting**. The core behavior is defined in [`skills/i-have-adhd/SKILL.md`](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/skills/i-have-adhd/SKILL.md), which contains the rule set that the Codex engine applies to every response while the skill is active. Key characteristics include:

- Action-first instructions with clear, numbered steps
- Elimination of tangents and unnecessary verbosity
- Visible progress indicators throughout responses
- Structured, scannable output that reduces cognitive load

The skill supports multiple LLM back-ends through agent-specific configuration files located in `skills/i-have-adhd/agents/`, including [`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).

## Prerequisites

Before installing the i-have-adhd skill in Codex, ensure you have:

- Codex CLI installed and authenticated
- Network access to GitHub for fetching the repository
- A working Codex environment where you can add plugins

## Step-by-Step Installation

The installation follows a two-step process documented in the repository's [`README.md`](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/README.md).

### Step 1: Add to Codex Marketplace

First, register the repository as a Codex marketplace source. This tells Codex where to fetch the skill from:

```bash
codex plugin marketplace add ayghri/i-have-adhd --ref main

```

The `--ref main` flag specifies the branch to use. You can substitute `main` with another branch or tag if needed.

### Step 2: Install the Skill

Once the marketplace entry exists, install the skill locally:

```bash
codex plugin add i-have-adhd@i-have-adhd

```

This command registers the skill in your environment and makes it available for invocation.

## Using the i-have-adhd Skill

After installation, trigger the skill explicitly with the `$i-have-adhd` prefix:

```bash
$i-have-adhd Explain how to set up a new Node.js project.

```

Codex will automatically shape the response according to the ADHD-friendly rules defined in [`skills/i-have-adhd/SKILL.md`](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/skills/i-have-adhd/SKILL.md).

For **implicit invocation**, simply use Codex normally. The engine will apply the skill whenever it detects a task that benefits from the ADHD-optimized style.

## Key Configuration Files

Understanding these source files helps with troubleshooting and customization:

| File | Purpose |
|------|---------|
| [`README.md`](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/README.md) | Front-page documentation with installation commands |
| [`.codex-plugin/plugin.json`](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/.codex-plugin/plugin.json) | Declares the plugin for Codex, points to the skill directory, and supplies UI metadata including display name, description, and default prompt |
| [`skills/i-have-adhd/SKILL.md`](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/skills/i-have-adhd/SKILL.md) | Defines the ADHD-friendly output rules enforced during skill activation |
| [`skills/i-have-adhd/agents/openai.yaml`](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/skills/i-have-adhd/agents/openai.yaml) | OpenAI-specific agent configuration |
| [`skills/i-have-adhd/agents/gemini.toml`](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/skills/i-have-adhd/agents/gemini.toml) | Gemini-specific agent configuration |
| [`INSTALL.md`](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/INSTALL.md) | Additional installation details for other agents and optional setup steps |

The [`.codex-plugin/plugin.json`](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/.codex-plugin/plugin.json) file is particularly important—it registers the skill with Codex and provides the metadata that appears in the Codex interface.

## Troubleshooting Common Issues

**Skill not found after marketplace add**: Verify the repository URL and branch reference. The `--ref` parameter must match an existing branch or tag.

**Skill commands fail**: Ensure you're using the exact syntax `i-have-adhd@i-have-adhd` in the add command. The plugin name and skill name both use the hyphenated format.

**Rules not applying**: Check that the skill is actually active. Explicit invocation with `$i-have-adhd` guarantees rule enforcement; implicit activation depends on Codex's task detection.

## Summary

- Install the i-have-adhd skill in Codex with two commands: `codex plugin marketplace add` followed by `codex plugin add`
- The skill transforms LLM output using rules defined in [`skills/i-have-adhd/SKILL.md`](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/skills/i-have-adhd/SKILL.md)
- Use `$i-have-adhd` prefix for explicit activation, or rely on implicit detection
- Configuration is handled through [`.codex-plugin/plugin.json`](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/.codex-plugin/plugin.json) with agent-specific settings in `skills/i-have-adhd/agents/`

## Frequently Asked Questions

### Do I need a specific Codex version to install i-have-adhd?

No specific version requirement is documented in the repository. As long as your Codex CLI supports the `plugin marketplace add` and `plugin add` commands, the installation should work. These commands are standard in current Codex releases.

### Can I customize the ADHD-friendly rules after installation?

The rules are defined in [`skills/i-have-adhd/SKILL.md`](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/skills/i-have-adhd/SKILL.md). To modify them, you would need to fork the repository, edit the skill definition, and install from your forked version using the same marketplace and plugin add workflow with your repository URL.

### Does the i-have-adhd skill work with all LLM providers?

Yes. The skill includes provider-specific configurations in `skills/i-have-adhd/agents/` for OpenAI ([`openai.yaml`](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/openai.yaml)) and Gemini ([`gemini.toml`](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/gemini.toml)). Additional providers may be supported through similar configuration files—check [`INSTALL.md`](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/INSTALL.md) for the latest compatibility information.

### How do I uninstall the i-have-adhd skill if I no longer need it?

Use the standard Codex plugin removal command: `codex plugin remove i-have-adhd@i-have-adhd`. To completely clean up, also remove the marketplace entry with `codex plugin marketplace remove ayghri/i-have-adhd`.