# How to Update reverse-skill to the Latest Version: A Complete Guide

> Easily update reverse-skill to the latest version. Follow our guide to pull new commits, refresh the tool-index, and bootstrap new features. Keep your tool up-to-date!

- Repository: [ZhaoXu/reverse-skill](https://github.com/zhaoxuya520/reverse-skill)
- Tags: how-to-guide
- Published: 2026-08-04

---

**Update reverse-skill by pulling the latest Git commits, refreshing the tool-index, and bootstrapping any new capabilities using platform-specific scripts.**

`reverse-skill` is an open-source Git repository that maintains a routing matrix for reverse engineering tools. Knowing how to update reverse-skill to the latest version ensures your skill definitions, tool paths, and bootstrap scripts remain synchronized with upstream changes.

## Why Regular Updates Matter

The repository's architecture depends on three interconnected components: the **routing logic** (defined in [`skills/MASTER-ROUTING.md`](https://github.com/zhaoxuya520/reverse-skill/blob/main/skills/MASTER-ROUTING.md) and [`skills/routing.md`](https://github.com/zhaoxuya520/reverse-skill/blob/main/skills/routing.md)), the **tool-index** ([`skills/tool-index.md`](https://github.com/zhaoxuya520/reverse-skill/blob/main/skills/tool-index.md)), and the **bootstrap manifest**. When you update reverse-skill, you must realign all three to prevent execution failures from stale paths or missing dependencies.

## Step 1: Pull the Latest Source Code

Fetch and merge the newest commits from the main branch. This retrieves changes to [`README.md`](https://github.com/zhaoxuya520/reverse-skill/blob/main/README.md), [`RULES.md`](https://github.com/zhaoxuya520/reverse-skill/blob/main/RULES.md), `VERSION`, and the entire `skills/` tree.

```bash
git fetch
git checkout main
git pull origin main

```

Alternatively, use the consolidated command:

```bash
git pull origin main

```

## Step 2: Refresh the Local Tool Index

After pulling code updates, regenerate [`skills/tool-index.md`](https://github.com/zhaoxuya520/reverse-skill/blob/main/skills/tool-index.md) to capture any new tool locations or version changes. This file serves as the single source of truth for all tool paths, install methods, and versions.

### Linux/macOS

```bash
bash skills/scripts/refresh-tool-index.sh

```

### Windows

```powershell
powershell -File skills/scripts/refresh-tool-index.ps1

```

### Kali Linux

```bash
bash kali/scripts/refresh-tool-index.sh

```

The refresh script scans your system and writes absolute paths to [`skills/tool-index.md`](https://github.com/zhaoxuya520/reverse-skill/blob/main/skills/tool-index.md), ensuring the routing matrix resolves tools correctly.

## Step 3: Bootstrap Missing Tools

If the refresh reports any tools as missing, install them using the bootstrap scripts with the `--start-services` flag. This automatically deploys new capabilities and starts required MCP services.

### Linux/macOS Example (installing `jadx`)

```bash
bash skills/scripts/bootstrap-reverse.sh jadx --start-services

```

### Windows Example

```powershell
powershell -NoProfile -ExecutionPolicy Bypass -File skills/scripts/bootstrap-reverse.ps1 jadx --start-services

```

### Kali Linux Example

```bash
bash kali/scripts/bootstrap-reverse.sh jadx --start-services

```

## Step 4: Verify the Update

Confirm your local version matches the latest release:

```bash
cat VERSION

```

Or check the version badge displayed in [`README.md`](https://github.com/zhaoxuya520/reverse-skill/blob/main/README.md).

## Key Files in the Update Process

| File | Purpose |
|------|---------|
| [`skills/tool-index.md`](https://github.com/zhaoxuya520/reverse-skill/blob/main/skills/tool-index.md) | Auto-generated registry of installed tools with absolute paths |
| [`skills/scripts/refresh-tool-index.sh`](https://github.com/zhaoxuya520/reverse-skill/blob/main/skills/scripts/refresh-tool-index.sh) | Bash script that rebuilds the tool-index on Linux/macOS |
| `skills/scripts/refresh-tool-index.ps1` | PowerShell script that rebuilds the tool-index on Windows |
| [`skills/scripts/bootstrap-reverse.sh`](https://github.com/zhaoxuya520/reverse-skill/blob/main/skills/scripts/bootstrap-reverse.sh) | Bash bootstrap script for installing capabilities on Linux/macOS |
| `skills/scripts/bootstrap-reverse.ps1` | PowerShell bootstrap script for Windows |
| [`RULES.md`](https://github.com/zhaoxuya520/reverse-skill/blob/main/RULES.md) | Central routing rules that must be read before any action |
| `VERSION` | Text file containing the current release identifier |

## Summary

- **Pull** the latest commits with `git pull origin main` to update routing logic and skill definitions
- **Refresh** the tool-index using platform-specific scripts in `skills/scripts/`
- **Bootstrap** missing tools with the `--start-services` flag to install new capabilities and start MCP services
- **Verify** by checking the `VERSION` file or README badge

Following this sequence keeps your reverse-skill installation consistent and ensures all skill executions use correct binaries and paths.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How do I know if I need to run the bootstrap script?

Run the refresh script first. If it reports tools as missing or displays version mismatches in [`skills/tool-index.md`](https://github.com/zhaoxuya520/reverse-skill/blob/main/skills/tool-index.md), invoke the bootstrap script with the specific tool name and `--start-services` flag to install what's required.

### Can I update reverse-skill without Git?

No. reverse-skill is distributed exclusively as a Git repository. The update mechanism depends on Git commands to synchronize [`skills/MASTER-ROUTING.md`](https://github.com/zhaoxuya520/reverse-skill/blob/main/skills/MASTER-ROUTING.md), bootstrap manifests, and the tool tree. Clone the repository initially if you haven't already.

### What happens if I skip the refresh step after updating?

The tool-index will contain stale paths. Since [`skills/tool-index.md`](https://github.com/zhaoxuya520/reverse-skill/blob/main/skills/tool-index.md) is the router's single source of truth for tool locations, stale entries cause skill executions to fail when binaries have moved or new tools were added upstream.

### Is there a difference between the Kali scripts and standard Linux scripts?

Yes. Kali-specific scripts are located in `kali/scripts/` and may include penetration-testing toolchains or adjusted paths for Kali's default environment. Use [`kali/scripts/refresh-tool-index.sh`](https://github.com/zhaoxuya520/reverse-skill/blob/main/kali/scripts/refresh-tool-index.sh) and [`kali/scripts/bootstrap-reverse.sh`](https://github.com/zhaoxuya520/reverse-skill/blob/main/kali/scripts/bootstrap-reverse.sh) on Kali Linux instead of the standard `skills/scripts/` variants.