# How to Install the google/skills Repository: Complete Setup Guide

> Install the google/skills repository quickly with npx. Our guide shows you how to download the interactive installer and select only the skills you need for a customized setup.

- Repository: [Google/skills](https://github.com/google/skills)
- Tags: how-to-guide
- Published: 2026-09-05

---

**The google/skills repository installs in seconds using `npx skills add google/skills`, which downloads an interactive installer that lets you cherry-pick only the skills you need.**

The **google/skills** repository is Google's official collection of **Agent Skills**—ready-to-use Markdown-based instructions and supporting assets for AI agents and developer workflows. This guide covers every installation method supported by the codebase, from the quick-start CLI installer to plugin integrations for popular agent harnesses.

---

## Prerequisites

Before installing google/skills, ensure you have:

- **Node.js 16+** with npm (required for `npx`)
- A supported agent runtime if using plugin mode (Claude Code, Codex, or Antigravity CLI)

---

## Install google/skills Using the Primary Installer

The recommended method uses the **[`skills.sh`](https://github.com/google/skills/blob/main/skills.sh)** installer wrapped by an `npx` command. According to the [[`README.md`](https://github.com/google/skills/blob/main/README.md)](https://github.com/google/skills/blob/main/README.md), this approach avoids cloning the entire repository.

```bash
npx skills add google/skills

```

This command performs three operations internally:

1. **Fetches** the **`skills`** npm package published by Google
2. **Clones** `google/skills` into a temporary scratch directory
3. **Presents** an interactive menu of available skills parsed from the README's "Available Skills" table

Select skills by entering comma-separated numbers. The installer then copies only those skill directories—complete with Markdown definitions and supporting assets—into your current working directory while preserving the repository's folder structure (e.g., `skills/cloud/google-cloud-recipe-auth`).

### Example Session

```bash
$ npx skills add google/skills

# 1) Authenticating to Google Cloud

# 2) Google Cloud Recipe: Foundation Builder

# 3) GKE App Onboarding

# …

> 1,3,7

# Selected skills copied to ./skills/

```

---

## Install as a Plugin for Claude Code

For Claude Code users, the [[`README.md`](https://github.com/google/skills/blob/main/README.md)](https://github.com/google/skills/blob/main/README.md) documents a native plugin workflow:

```bash
claude plugin marketplace add google/skills
claude plugin install cloud-run-basics@google-plugins

```

The first command registers Google's skills marketplace. The second installs a specific skill (here, `cloud-run-basics`) as a loadable plugin that Claude Code's runtime can invoke.

---

## Install as a Plugin for Codex

OpenAI Codex supports the same marketplace pattern per the source documentation:

```bash
codex plugin marketplace add google/skills

```

Then browse the `/plugins` interface to select and install individual skills.

---

## Install as a Plugin for Antigravity CLI

Antigravity (agy) uses direct URL-based installation:

```bash
agy plugin install https://github.com/google/skills/<plugin-path>

```

Replace `<plugin-path>` with the directory path to your target skill (e.g., `tree/main/skills/cloud/cloud-run-basics`).

---

## What Gets Installed: Repository Structure

Understanding the google/skills layout helps you locate files post-installation. Key paths referenced in the source:

| Path | Contents |
|------|----------|
| [`README.md`](https://github.com/google/skills/blob/main/README.md) | Installation commands, skill inventory, plugin instructions |
| [`skills/cloud/google-cloud-recipe-auth/SKILL.md`](https://github.com/google/skills/blob/main/skills/cloud/google-cloud-recipe-auth/SKILL.md) | Core skill definition (Markdown instructions for the agent) |
| [`skills/cloud/gke-app-onboarding/assets/package.json`](https://github.com/google/skills/blob/main/skills/cloud/gke-app-onboarding/assets/package.json) | Bundled runtime dependencies |
| [`skills/cloud/agent-platform-alert-configuration/scripts/config_utils.py`](https://github.com/google/skills/blob/main/skills/cloud/agent-platform-alert-configuration/scripts/config_utils.py) | Supporting utilities referenced by skills |

Each skill is a self-contained directory with:
- **[`SKILL.md`](https://github.com/google/skills/blob/main/SKILL.md)** — the agent-facing instructions
- **`assets/`** — optional runtime files (configs, packages, templates)
- **`scripts/`** — optional helper utilities

---

## Using Installed Skills Programmatically

Once installed, skills are standard Markdown files you can load into any LLM pipeline:

```python
from pathlib import Path

skill_path = Path("skills/cloud/cloud-run-basics/SKILL.md")
with open(skill_path, "r") as f:
    skill_content = f.read()

# Inject skill_content into your prompt or agent context

```

This pattern works with LangChain, OpenAI API, Anthropic SDK, or custom orchestrators.

---

## Summary

- **`npx skills add google/skills`** — primary one-command installer with interactive selection
- **Plugin workflows** — `claude plugin`, `codex plugin`, or `agy plugin install` for native agent integration
- **Cherry-picked installation** — copy only needed skills instead of full repository clone
- **Standard structure** — each skill contains [`SKILL.md`](https://github.com/google/skills/blob/main/SKILL.md) plus optional `assets/` and `scripts/`

---

## Frequently Asked Questions

### Do I need to clone the google/skills repository manually?

No. The `npx skills add google/skills` command handles temporary cloning internally. You interact only with the installer and receive only the selected skill files in your working directory.

### Can I install google/skills without Node.js?

Not for the primary installer. The `npx` wrapper requires npm. Alternative: clone the repository directly with `git clone https://github.com/google/skills.git` and manually copy skill files, though this forfeits the interactive selection workflow.

### Are google/skills updates automatic?

No. Re-run `npx skills add google/skills` to pull the latest skill definitions. Plugin-based installations may support version pinning or automatic updates depending on your agent harness.

### What license covers google/skills usage?

The repository operates under Google's standard open-source license. Check the repository's [LICENSE file](https://github.com/google/skills/blob/main/LICENSE) for specific terms; skills themselves are designed for unrestricted agent guidance use.