# How to Install Generated Skills to Claude Code or Cursor: Copy-to-Skills Method

> Learn the copy-to-skills method to install generated cangjie-skill for Claude Code or Cursor. Manually add custom skills to your IDE to activate them.

- Repository: [kangarooking/cangjie-skill](https://github.com/kangarooking/cangjie-skill)
- Tags: how-to-guide
- Published: 2026-08-16

---

Generated skills from the **cangjie-skill** repository must be manually copied into your IDE's skills directory to become active—neither Claude Code nor Cursor auto-detect generated skill folders outside their designated paths.

This guide walks through the exact installation steps derived from the pipeline's delivery stage, including the copy commands found in the source templates and the file structure you need to navigate.

## Where Generated Skills Are Stored

After the Cangjie pipeline completes, each skill is assembled as a self-contained folder under the `books/` directory. The delivery stage creates a folder named after the **skill slug** containing:

- [`SKILL.md`](https://github.com/kangarooking/cangjie-skill/blob/main/SKILL.md) — the skill's manifest and prompt definition
- Supporting assets and metadata files

This folder structure is documented in [`methodology/07-stage5-deliver.md`](https://github.com/kangarooking/cangjie-skill/blob/main/methodology/07-stage5-deliver.md), which designates the skill folder as the final deliverable artifact for manual installation.

## Installing to Claude Code

Claude Code expects skills in a `.claude/skills/` directory at your project root.

Run this command from your skill build location:

```bash
cp -r <skill-slug> <your-project>/.claude/skills/

```

This exact pattern appears in `templates/INDEX.md.template`:

```bash
cp -r {{skill-slug-1}} <project>/.claude/skills/
cp -r {{skill-slug-2}} <project>/.claude/skills/

```

After copying, restart Claude Code or reload the window to index the new skill. Verify installation by opening the **Skills** panel—your skill should appear in the available list.

## Installing to Cursor

Cursor uses a parallel structure under `.cursor/skills/`:

```bash
cp -r <skill-slug> <your-project>/.cursor/skills/

```

No additional configuration is required. The skill becomes available once Cursor rescans the skills directory.

## Complete Installation Example

Build and install a skill named `principle-extractor` from the `my-book` book:

```bash

# Navigate to the generated skill folder

cd books/my-book/principle-extractor

# Install for Claude Code

cp -r principle-extractor ~/projects/my-app/.claude/skills/

# Or install for Cursor

cp -r principle-extractor ~/projects/my-app/.cursor/skills/

```

Invoke the installed skill in Claude Code via:

```json
{
  "skill": "principle-extractor",
  "input": "Extract key principles from the uploaded PDF."
}

```

## Key Source Files and Their Roles

| File | Purpose |
|------|---------|
| `templates/INDEX.md.template` | Contains the canonical `cp -r` command template for Claude Code installation |
| [`methodology/07-stage5-deliver.md`](https://github.com/kangarooking/cangjie-skill/blob/main/methodology/07-stage5-deliver.md) | Defines the delivery stage and specifies that skills must be manually copied to IDE directories |
| [`SKILL.md`](https://github.com/kangarooking/cangjie-skill/blob/main/SKILL.md) | The required manifest file inside each generated skill folder |
| [`README.md`](https://github.com/kangarooking/cangjie-skill/blob/main/README.md) | Overview of the full pipeline with references to delivery and installation |

## Summary

- **No automatic installation**: The cangjie-skill pipeline generates skills to `books/<book-slug>/<skill-slug>/` but does not touch IDE directories
- **Copy command**: Use `cp -r <skill-slug> <project>/.claude/skills/` or `.cursor/skills/`
- **Source verification**: The `INDEX.md.template` and [`methodology/07-stage5-deliver.md`](https://github.com/kangarooking/cangjie-skill/blob/main/methodology/07-stage5-deliver.md) files confirm this manual copy approach as the intended delivery mechanism

## Frequently Asked Questions

### Does the cangjie-skill pipeline auto-install skills to my IDE?

No. According to [`methodology/07-stage5-deliver.md`](https://github.com/kangarooking/cangjie-skill/blob/main/methodology/07-stage5-deliver.md), the pipeline stops at generating the skill folder. You must manually copy the folder to `.claude/skills/` or `.cursor/skills/` to activate it.

### What happens if I copy only [`SKILL.md`](https://github.com/kangarooking/cangjie-skill/blob/main/SKILL.md) without the folder?

The skill may fail to load. Claude Code and Cursor expect the entire skill folder structure, including any bundled assets referenced in [`SKILL.md`](https://github.com/kangarooking/cangjie-skill/blob/main/SKILL.md). Always copy the complete folder via `cp -r`.

### Can I install the same skill to both Claude Code and Cursor simultaneously?

Yes. Simply run the copy command twice—once targeting each IDE's skills directory. The generated skill folder is portable and contains no IDE-specific configuration.