Understanding the Relationship Between `.cursor/skills` and `skills/i-have-adhd` in the i-have-adhd Repository

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) 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) 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), 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) first, then replicate those changes to the Cursor mirror.

Update both files using standard file operations:

# 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:

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) 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) provides Cursor IDE compatibility.
• Synchronization required: [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) 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) 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), 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) 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.

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