# How to Enable i-have-adhd for Codex: Complete Setup Guide

> Learn how to enable i-have-adhd for Codex with our complete setup guide. Follow simple commands to integrate this powerful plugin into your workflow today.

- Repository: [Ayoub Ghriss/i-have-adhd](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd)
- Tags: how-to-guide
- Published: 2026-08-01

---

**To enable i-have-adhd for Codex, run two commands: `codex plugin marketplace add ayghri/i-have-adhd --ref main` followed by `codex plugin add i-have-adhd@i-have-adhd`.**

The i-have-adhd skill is a Codex plugin that shapes AI output into an ADHD-friendly format. Developed by Ayoub Ghriss in the ayghri/i-have-adhd repository, this tool transforms verbose responses into structured, skimmable content with clear hierarchies and visual anchors. The setup requires registering the plugin in Codex's marketplace, then installing it into your environment.

## Why Use i-have-adhd for Codex?

Traditional AI responses often present dense walls of text that overwhelm readers who process information better with structured, chunked content. The i-have-adhd skill automatically reformats Codex outputs to include clear headings, bullet points, and visual markers that improve readability and reduce cognitive load.

According to the repository's [`skills/i-have-adhd/SKILL.md`](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/skills/i-have-adhd/SKILL.md), the skill defines specific rules for output formatting that prioritize scanability and actionable structure over narrative flow.

## Prerequisites

Before you enable i-have-adhd for Codex, ensure you have:

- Codex CLI installed and authenticated
- Access to install plugins in your Codex environment
- GitHub access to pull from the `ayghri/i-have-adhd` repository

## Step-by-Step Installation

### Step 1: Add the Plugin to the Codex Marketplace

First, register the plugin in your local Codex marketplace. This command only needs to run once per machine.

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

```

This pulls the plugin metadata from the [`.codex-plugin/plugin.json`](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/.codex-plugin/plugin.json) file in the repository, which defines the plugin's entry points, dependencies, and compatibility requirements.

### Step 2: Install the Plugin Into Your Environment

After marketplace registration, install the plugin into your active Codex environment:

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

```

This creates the local bindings needed for Codex to recognize and apply the skill during sessions.

### Step 3: Verify Installation

Test that the plugin installed correctly:

```bash
codex plugin list

```

You should see `i-have-adhd` in the output.

## How to Use i-have-adhd in Codex Sessions

Once enabled, you have two ways to activate the skill:

**Explicit activation** — prepend `$i-have-adhd` to any prompt:

```bash
$i-have-adhd explain how database indexing works

```

**Implicit activation** — let Codex detect appropriate contexts and apply the style automatically based on the skill criteria defined in [`SKILL.md`](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/SKILL.md).

## Key Repository Files

Understanding these source files helps troubleshoot issues and extend the skill:

- **[`README.md`](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/README.md)** (lines 38-44) — Contains the canonical installation commands for Codex
- **[`.codex-plugin/plugin.json`](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/.codex-plugin/plugin.json)** — Plugin manifest with metadata Codex uses for registration
- **[`skills/i-have-adhd/SKILL.md`](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/skills/i-have-adhd/SKILL.md)** — Core behavior definitions, formatting rules, and activation patterns

## Troubleshooting Common Issues

| Issue | Solution |
|-------|----------|
| "Plugin not found" error | Re-run the marketplace add command with `--ref main` to ensure latest version |
| Skill not activating implicitly | Use explicit `$i-have-adhd` prefix to force the style |
| Formatting inconsistencies | Check that you're on the `main` branch; the [`plugin.json`](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/plugin.json) specifies version compatibility |

## Summary

- **Two commands enable i-have-adhd for Codex**: marketplace registration with `codex plugin marketplace add ayghri/i-have-adhd --ref main`, then environment installation with `codex plugin add i-have-adhd@i-have-adhd`
- **Use `$i-have-adhd` prefix** for explicit activation on any prompt
- **Automatic activation** triggers when Codex detects suitable task patterns per [`SKILL.md`](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/SKILL.md) rules
- **Plugin metadata lives in [`.codex-plugin/plugin.json`](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/.codex-plugin/plugin.json)** with behavior definitions in [`skills/i-have-adhd/SKILL.md`](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/skills/i-have-adhd/SKILL.md)

## Frequently Asked Questions

### What does the i-have-adhd skill actually change about Codex output?

The skill reformats responses into ADHD-friendly structures: shorter paragraphs, hierarchical headings, visual separators, and prioritized information placement. The specific rules are codified in [`skills/i-have-adhd/SKILL.md`](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/skills/i-have-adhd/SKILL.md) and include constraints on line density, emphasis patterns, and callout formatting.

### Do I need to run the marketplace add command on every new machine?

Yes. The `codex plugin marketplace add` command registers the plugin source locally. Each Codex installation needs this step before the plugin can be installed into environments. The `codex plugin add` command then activates it per environment.

### Can I disable i-have-adhd after enabling it?

Yes. Remove the plugin with `codex plugin remove i-have-adhd@i-have-adhd`, or temporarily avoid it by not using the `$i-have-adhd` prefix and disabling implicit activation in your Codex configuration.

### Is i-have-adhd compatible with other Codex skills?

Compatible skills can stack, but output formatting may conflict if multiple skills define contradictory style rules. The [`plugin.json`](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/plugin.json) manifest declares any known incompatibilities; check there if you experience unexpected formatting behavior.