# How to Install Google Skills for AI Agents: CLI, Direct Path, and Plugin Methods > Install Google Skills for AI agents using the interactive CLI, direct path, or plugin methods. Get started with google/skills today. - Repository: [Google/skills](https://github.com/google/skills) - Tags: how-to-guide - Published: 2026-08-11 --- **Google Skills install via `npx skills add google/skills` — an interactive CLI that copies Markdown-based skill packages into your agent's runtime folder.** Google Skills provides a modular system for extending AI agents with pre-built capabilities. Each skill is a **Markdown-based package** containing prompts, context, and tooling instructions that agents load at runtime. This article covers the three installation methods documented in the repository, based on the source code in `google/skills`. --- ## Installing Google Skills with the `skills` CLI The **recommended approach** for most agents uses the `skills` CLI via `npx`. ```bash npx skills add google/skills ``` As implemented in `google/skills`, this command: 1. Downloads the `skills` helper tool 2. Parses the repository tree 3. Prompts you to select specific skill directories 4. Copies the chosen Markdown files into your agent's skill folder (referenced in [`README.md`](https://github.com/google/skills/blob/main/README.md) lines 13-18) The interactive selection lets you avoid installing unused skills. For example, you might select only cloud authentication recipes while skipping GKE-specific tooling. --- ## Installing a Specific Skill by Direct Path For targeted installations, pass the full path to a single skill directory: ```bash npx skills add google/skills/skills/cloud/gke-workload-scaling ``` This bypasses the interactive prompt and copies only that skill's [`SKILL.md`](https://github.com/google/skills/blob/main/SKILL.md) and supporting files. The source code shows each skill follows the pattern `skills///SKILL.md`. --- ## Installing via the [`skills.sh`](https://github.com/google/skills/blob/main/skills.sh) Shortcut For browser-based workflows, the repository provides a **one-click badge** that launches the same installer. The [`skills.sh`](https://github.com/google/skills/blob/main/skills.sh) shortcut is referenced in [`README.md`](https://github.com/google/skills/blob/main/README.md) lines 3-5 and offers identical functionality without terminal access. --- ## Installing Plugins for Agent-Specific Harnesses Beyond core skills, Google Skills includes **optional plugins** for specific agent harnesses. For Claude Code: ```bash claude plugin marketplace add google/skills claude plugin install @google-plugins ``` These plugins extend the agent's execution capabilities separate from the Markdown skill definitions (documented in [`README.md`](https://github.com/google/skills/blob/main/README.md) lines 55-64). --- ## Using Installed Skills in Prompts After installation, invoke any skill with `@` notation: ```text @google-cloud-recipe-auth ``` The agent loads the authentication recipe defined in [`skills/cloud/google-cloud-recipe-auth/SKILL.md`](https://github.com/google/skills/blob/main/skills/cloud/google-cloud-recipe-auth/SKILL.md) and executes its prompt template with your provided context. --- ## Architecture: How Google Skills Installation Works | Component | Purpose | Source Location | |-----------|---------|---------------| | `skills` CLI | Repository parser, interactive selector, file copier | [`README.md`](https://github.com/google/skills/blob/main/README.md#L13-L18) | | [`SKILL.md`](https://github.com/google/skills/blob/main/SKILL.md) files | Skill definitions (prompts, context, tooling) | `skills/**/SKILL.md` | | Plugins folder | Harness-specific extensions (Claude, Codex, etc.) | [`README.md`](https://github.com/google/skills/blob/main/README.md#L55-L64) | | Agent harness | Runtime environment that loads Markdown skills | [`README.md`](https://github.com/google/skills/blob/main/README.md#L59-L64) | This **separation of concerns** — Markdown definitions independent of execution engines — enables versioned skill updates without agent code changes. --- ## Key Files for Installation Reference - **[`README.md`](https://github.com/google/skills/blob/main/README.md)** — Primary installation instructions and skill catalog - **`skills/**/SKILL.md`** — Individual skill definitions - **[`plugins/cloud/data-agent-kit/README.md`](https://github.com/google/skills/blob/main/plugins/cloud/data-agent-kit/README.md)** — Plugin documentation for various harnesses - **[`opencode.json`](https://github.com/google/skills/blob/main/opencode.json)** — Metadata for Opencode tooling integration --- ## Summary - **Primary method**: `npx skills add google/skills` with interactive selection - **Direct install**: Append full path to skill directory for single-skill deployment - **Alternative**: [`skills.sh`](https://github.com/google/skills/blob/main/skills.sh) browser shortcut for non-terminal workflows - **Plugin support**: Separate `claude`/`codex` commands for harness-specific features - **Usage**: `@skill-name` syntax triggers loaded skills in agent prompts --- ## Frequently Asked Questions ### What is a Google Skill technically? A **Google Skill** is a directory containing a [`SKILL.md`](https://github.com/google/skills/blob/main/SKILL.md) file that defines prompts, context variables, and optional tooling instructions. The agent harness parses this Markdown at runtime to execute the skill's behavior. ### Do I need to install the entire repository? No. The `npx skills add` command presents an **interactive picker** allowing selection of specific skill directories. You can also install individual skills directly by path. ### What's the difference between skills and plugins? **Skills** are Markdown-based prompt templates loaded by any compatible harness. **Plugins** are harness-specific extensions (e.g., Claude Code integrations) that provide additional runtime capabilities beyond the core skill definitions. ### Can I use Google Skills with agents other than Claude? Yes. The architecture is **harness-agnostic** — the Markdown skill files work with any agent that supports the `@skill-name` invocation pattern. Dedicated plugins exist for Claude, Codex, and Antigravity as documented in [`README.md`](https://github.com/google/skills/blob/main/README.md) lines 59-64.