# Understanding the Relationship Between `.cursor/skills` and `skills/i-have-adhd` in the i-have-adhd Repository > Explore the .cursor/skills and skills/i-have-adhd directories in the i-have-adhd repository. Understand how Cursor IDE mirrors the canonical skill definition for seamless synchronization. - Repository: [Ayoub Ghriss/i-have-adhd](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd) - Tags: internals - Published: 2026-08-19 --- **The `skills/i-have-adhd` directory contains the canonical skill definition, while `.cursor/skills/i-have-adhd` functions as a Cursor IDE-compatible mirror that must be manually synchronized with the source of truth.** The `ayghri/i-have-adhd` repository structures its ADHD-friendly AI skill definitions across two distinct paths to support both universal tooling and Cursor editor integration. Understanding the relationship between the `.cursor/skills` and `skills/i-have-adhd` directories ensures developers maintain consistency when updating the ten response rules that govern the agent’s behavior. ## Canonical Definition vs. Cursor-Compatible Mirror The repository designates [[`skills/i-have-adhd/SKILL.md`](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/skills/i-have-adhd/SKILL.md)](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/skills/i-have-adhd/SKILL.md) as the **canonical skill definition**. This file serves as the single source of truth, containing the definitive ADHD-friendly response rules. In contrast, the [[`.cursor/skills/i-have-adhd/SKILL.md`](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/.cursor/skills/i-have-adhd/SKILL.md)](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/.cursor/skills/i-have-adhd/SKILL.md) path exists as a **mirror copy** created specifically for the Cursor IDE. According to [[`AGENTS.md`](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/AGENTS.md)](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/AGENTS.md), this location provides a "Cursor-compatible copy" that satisfies the editor’s requirement for skill definitions to reside in a root-level `skills` directory. The repository documentation explicitly instructs contributors to keep this synchronized with the canonical skill. ## Synchronization Workflow Developers must treat the canonical file as the authoritative version. When modifying the skill’s ten behavioral guidelines, edit [[`skills/i-have-adhd/SKILL.md`](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/skills/i-have-adhd/SKILL.md)](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/skills/i-have-adhd/SKILL.md) first, then replicate those changes to the Cursor mirror. Update both files using standard file operations: ```bash # Edit the source of truth vim skills/i-have-adhd/SKILL.md # Copy updates to the Cursor-compatible mirror cp skills/i-have-adhd/SKILL.md .cursor/skills/i-have-adhd/SKILL.md ``` Verify synchronization with a diff check: ```bash diff -q skills/i-have-adhd/SKILL.md .cursor/skills/i-have-adhd/SKILL.md && echo "Files are in sync" ``` ## Why Maintain Two Copies? The dual-directory structure addresses **tooling constraints** rather than functional differences. While the repository organizes its canonical skills under the `skills/` prefix for clarity, the Cursor IDE expects to discover skill definitions within a `.cursor/skills` path. This separation allows the project to support Cursor users without restructuring the primary source tree or breaking compatibility with other agents that reference the standard `skills/i-have-adhd` location. ## Summary - **Canonical source**: [[`skills/i-have-adhd/SKILL.md`](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/skills/i-have-adhd/SKILL.md)](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/skills/i-have-adhd/SKILL.md) holds the authoritative ADHD skill rules. - **Mirror location**: [[`.cursor/skills/i-have-adhd/SKILL.md`](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/.cursor/skills/i-have-adhd/SKILL.md)](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/.cursor/skills/i-have-adhd/SKILL.md) provides Cursor IDE compatibility. - **Synchronization required**: [[`AGENTS.md`](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/AGENTS.md)](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/AGENTS.md) explicitly states the Cursor version must be kept synchronized with the canonical skill. - **Manual process**: Use `cp` or equivalent file operations to mirror changes; the repository does not implement automated synchronization. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### Why does the repository maintain two identical skill files? The duplication satisfies the Cursor IDE’s requirement for a `skills` folder at the repository root. The `skills/i-have-adhd` directory serves as the organizational standard and source of truth, while `.cursor/skills` provides the specific path structure that Cursor expects without altering the canonical layout or breaking other integrations. ### Which file should I edit to modify the ADHD response rules? Always edit [[`skills/i-have-adhd/SKILL.md`](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/skills/i-have-adhd/SKILL.md)](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/skills/i-have-adhd/SKILL.md) first. This canonical file represents the single source of truth. After saving changes, copy the updated content to [[`.cursor/skills/i-have-adhd/SKILL.md`](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/.cursor/skills/i-have-adhd/SKILL.md)](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/.cursor/skills/i-have-adhd/SKILL.md) to maintain the required synchronization. ### Is there automated synchronization between the two directories? No. Based on the repository structure and documentation in [[`AGENTS.md`](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/AGENTS.md)](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/AGENTS.md), developers must manually copy changes from the canonical skill to the Cursor-compatible mirror. Running `diff` before committing ensures both files remain identical. ### What happens if the Cursor mirror becomes out of sync? If [[`.cursor/skills/i-have-adhd/SKILL.md`](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/.cursor/skills/i-have-adhd/SKILL.md)](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/.cursor/skills/i-have-adhd/SKILL.md) diverges from the canonical version, Cursor IDE users will load outdated behavioral rules, resulting in inconsistent responses. Always verify parity between the two files using `diff` before finalizing pull requests.