Using Agent Skills
addyosmani/agent-skills
Meta-skill for choosing which workflow skill fits the task at hand, plus always-on habits: surface assumptions, stop on confusion, push back, keep it simple and stay in scope.
Write and maintain repository guidance across AGENTS.md, CLAUDE.md, and .agents/skills.
Install Agent Instructions
$ npx skills add EpicenterHQ/epicenter --skill agent-instructions -a claude-codeProject install by default; add -g for ~/.claude/skills/.
$ gh skill install EpicenterHQ/epicenter agent-instructions --agent claude-codeProject scope by default; add --scope user for a personal install. Needs GitHub CLI 2.90.0 or later (public preview).
$ git clone --depth 1 https://github.com/EpicenterHQ/epicenter.git skills-src && mkdir -p .claude/skills && cp -r skills-src/.agents/skills/agent-instructions .claude/skills/agent-instructions && rm -rf skills-srcUse ~/.claude/skills/ instead of .claude/skills for a personal install. The folder must contain SKILL.md.
Claude Code skills documentation · loads skills from .claude/skills/
Install the "agent-instructions" agent skill from https://github.com/EpicenterHQ/epicenter/tree/main/.agents/skills/agent-instructions into .claude/skills/agent-instructions/ in this project. Copy the whole folder (SKILL.md and every file beside it), keep the folder name "agent-instructions", then confirm the skill loads.Claude Code copies the folder itself, the same result as the manual copy. Check what it changed before you commit it.
$skill-installer install https://github.com/EpicenterHQ/epicenter/tree/main/.agents/skills/agent-instructionsType this inside Codex. $skill-installer <name> installs a curated skill from openai/skills. The installer writes to $CODEX_HOME/skills (default ~/.codex/skills). Restart Codex if the skill does not show up.
$ npx skills add EpicenterHQ/epicenter --skill agent-instructions -a codexProject install goes to .agents/skills/; add -g for ~/.codex/skills/.
$ gh skill install EpicenterHQ/epicenter agent-instructions --agent codexProject scope by default (.agents/skills/); add --scope user for a personal install.
$ git clone --depth 1 https://github.com/EpicenterHQ/epicenter.git skills-src && mkdir -p .agents/skills && cp -r skills-src/.agents/skills/agent-instructions .agents/skills/agent-instructions && rm -rf skills-srcUse ~/.agents/skills/ instead of .agents/skills for a personal install.
Codex skills documentation · loads skills from .agents/skills/
Install the "agent-instructions" agent skill from https://github.com/EpicenterHQ/epicenter/tree/main/.agents/skills/agent-instructions into .agents/skills/agent-instructions/ in this project. Copy the whole folder (SKILL.md and every file beside it), keep the folder name "agent-instructions", then confirm the skill loads.Codex copies the folder itself, the same result as the manual copy. Check what it changed before you commit it.
$ npx skills add EpicenterHQ/epicenter --skill agent-instructions -a cursorProject install goes to .agents/skills/; add -g for ~/.cursor/skills/.
$ gh skill install EpicenterHQ/epicenter agent-instructions --agent cursorProject scope by default (.agents/skills/); add --scope user for a personal install.
$ git clone --depth 1 https://github.com/EpicenterHQ/epicenter.git skills-src && mkdir -p .cursor/skills && cp -r skills-src/.agents/skills/agent-instructions .cursor/skills/agent-instructions && rm -rf skills-srcUse ~/.cursor/skills/ instead of .cursor/skills for a personal install.
Cursor skills documentation · loads skills from .cursor/skills/, .agents/skills/, .claude/skills/, .codex/skills/
Install the "agent-instructions" agent skill from https://github.com/EpicenterHQ/epicenter/tree/main/.agents/skills/agent-instructions into .cursor/skills/agent-instructions/ in this project. Copy the whole folder (SKILL.md and every file beside it), keep the folder name "agent-instructions", then confirm the skill loads.Cursor copies the folder itself, the same result as the manual copy. Check what it changed before you commit it.
$ gemini skills install https://github.com/EpicenterHQ/epicenter.git --path .agents/skills/agent-instructions--scope user (default) or --scope workspace; --path is the subfolder of the repo that holds the skill; --consent skips the security confirmation prompt.
$ npx skills add EpicenterHQ/epicenter --skill agent-instructions -a gemini-cliProject install goes to .agents/skills/; add -g for ~/.gemini/skills/.
$ gh skill install EpicenterHQ/epicenter agent-instructions --agent gemini-cliProject scope by default (.agents/skills/); add --scope user for a personal install.
$ git clone --depth 1 https://github.com/EpicenterHQ/epicenter.git skills-src && mkdir -p .gemini/skills && cp -r skills-src/.agents/skills/agent-instructions .gemini/skills/agent-instructions && rm -rf skills-srcUse ~/.gemini/skills/ instead of .gemini/skills for a personal install, then run /skills reload.
Gemini CLI skills documentation · loads skills from .gemini/skills/, .agents/skills/
Install the "agent-instructions" agent skill from https://github.com/EpicenterHQ/epicenter/tree/main/.agents/skills/agent-instructions into .gemini/skills/agent-instructions/ in this project. Copy the whole folder (SKILL.md and every file beside it), keep the folder name "agent-instructions", then confirm the skill loads.Gemini CLI copies the folder itself, the same result as the manual copy. Check what it changed before you commit it.
$ gh skill install EpicenterHQ/epicenter agent-instructionsInstalls for Copilot at project scope by default; add --scope user for a personal install. Preview a skill first with gh skill preview. Needs GitHub CLI 2.90.0 or later (public preview).
$ npx skills add EpicenterHQ/epicenter --skill agent-instructions -a github-copilotProject install goes to .agents/skills/; add -g for ~/.copilot/skills/.
$ git clone --depth 1 https://github.com/EpicenterHQ/epicenter.git skills-src && mkdir -p .github/skills && cp -r skills-src/.agents/skills/agent-instructions .github/skills/agent-instructions && rm -rf skills-srcUse ~/.copilot/skills/ instead of .github/skills for a personal install. Commit .github/skills so cloud agent and code review can use it.
GitHub Copilot skills documentation · loads skills from .github/skills/, .claude/skills/, .agents/skills/
Install the "agent-instructions" agent skill from https://github.com/EpicenterHQ/epicenter/tree/main/.agents/skills/agent-instructions into .github/skills/agent-instructions/ in this project. Copy the whole folder (SKILL.md and every file beside it), keep the folder name "agent-instructions", then confirm the skill loads.GitHub Copilot copies the folder itself, the same result as the manual copy. Check what it changed before you commit it.
$ npx skills add EpicenterHQ/epicenter --skill agent-instructions -a opencodeOpenCode documents no install command of its own. Project install goes to .agents/skills/; add -g for ~/.config/opencode/skills/.
$ gh skill install EpicenterHQ/epicenter agent-instructions --agent opencodeProject scope by default (.agents/skills/); add --scope user for a personal install.
$ git clone --depth 1 https://github.com/EpicenterHQ/epicenter.git skills-src && mkdir -p .opencode/skills && cp -r skills-src/.agents/skills/agent-instructions .opencode/skills/agent-instructions && rm -rf skills-srcUse ~/.config/opencode/skills/ instead of .opencode/skills for a personal install.
OpenCode skills documentation · loads skills from .opencode/skills/, .claude/skills/, .agents/skills/
Install the "agent-instructions" agent skill from https://github.com/EpicenterHQ/epicenter/tree/main/.agents/skills/agent-instructions into .opencode/skills/agent-instructions/ in this project. Copy the whole folder (SKILL.md and every file beside it), keep the folder name "agent-instructions", then confirm the skill loads.OpenCode copies the folder itself, the same result as the manual copy. Check what it changed before you commit it.
Facts
- Skill name
agent-instructions- GitHub stars
- 4.8k
- Token cost
- ~1.2k tokens
- SKILL.md length
- 627 words
- Files
- 19 (incl. scripts, references)
- Skills in repo
- 65
- Repo updated
- First seen
- Licence
- Custom licence
At a glance
Write and maintain repository guidance across AGENTS.md, CLAUDE.md, and .agents/skills.
- Deciding where instructions belong
- SKILL.md covers Find the instruction's owner, Write for judgment, Repository conventions and Check what changed
- Runs TypeScript scripts from its folder
- Diagnosing instruction sprawl and skill selection
What it does
Agent Instructions is an agent skill from EpicenterHQ/epicenter. Write and maintain repository guidance across AGENTS.md, CLAUDE.md, and .agents/skills. Use when creating or editing skills, deciding where instructions belong, or diagnosing instruction sprawl and skill selection. Do not use merely because another skill is being executed.
Its SKILL.md is about 1.2k tokens, which your agent loads only when the skill is triggered. The skill folder holds 22 other files, including scripts and reference files (for example `evals/always-on-gate.json`, `evals/routing.json` and `evals/runs/README.md`).
It sits in Agent Workflows, covering Agent instruction files. The repository describes itself as: Open-source, local-first apps.
When your agent uses it
- Deciding where instructions belong
- Diagnosing instruction sprawl and skill selection
Example prompts
- “/agent-instructions”
Requirements
- Node.js
What it can do on your machine
Read from SKILL.md and the folder at commit 5b4bb69. It shows what the files ask for, not the result of running them.
Tool permissions
Pre-approves nothing: there is no allowed-tools line, so your agent's usual permission prompts apply.
From allowed-tools in the SKILL.md frontmatter.
Runs code
Ships 6 files in scripts/ (TypeScript, from the files we listed), which the agent can run.
From the folder's file list and the shell code blocks in SKILL.md.
Network
No URLs in SKILL.md.
From URLs in SKILL.md, links to its own repository left out.
Credentials
Names no API keys, tokens, secrets or passwords.
From names ending in _API_KEY, _TOKEN, _SECRET, _KEY or _PASSWORD in SKILL.md.
Context cost
Agent Instructions loads about 1.2k tokens when it runs, and up to ~2.7k if it reads all its reference files. Until then it costs about 73 tokens; SKILL.md has 627 words of instructions outside code blocks.
Estimates: characters ÷ 4, the usual rule of thumb; real counts depend on the model's tokenizer. Scripts and assets cost tokens only if the agent reads them.
Safety
Auto-check passed
The automated check found no risky patterns in SKILL.md.
Automated static check — not a guarantee. Review scripts before installing. It scans the text of SKILL.md for risky patterns (piping downloads into a shell, reading credential files, hidden Unicode, destructive commands); the scripts in this folder are not scanned.
SKILL.md
Its licence (Custom licence) doesn't allow us to republish the file, so here is its outline and opening line. It has 627 words (~1,198 tokens).
“Preserve useful judgment in guidance a future agent can find and apply. A skill earns its place through knowledge, preferences, or recurring failures the agent would otherwise miss. More instructions are not evidence of progress.”
- name
- agent-instructions
Files
SKILL.md and 18 other files (scripts, references) in .agents/skills/agent-instructions of EpicenterHQ/epicenter.
- SKILL.md
- evals/always-on-gate.json
- evals/routing.json
- evals/runs/README.md
- evals/runs/always-on-gate-armA-present.json
- evals/runs/always-on-gate-armB-absent.json
- evals/runs/always-on-gate-armC-override-control.json
- evals/runs/always-on-gate-armD-narrowed.json
- evals/runs/routing-baseline.json
- references/composition-audit.md
- references/evaluation.md
- scripts/audit-routing-collisions.test.ts
- scripts/audit-routing-collisions.ts
- scripts/audit-skill-links.test.ts
- scripts/audit-skill-links.ts
- scripts/run-trigger-eval.test.ts
- scripts/run-trigger-eval.ts
- … and 2 more
Open the folder on GitHubat commit 5b4bb69
Compare with similar skills
Agent Instructions next to the 5 skills that share the most tags, products or categories with it. Stars are the repository's; “used in” counts other GitHub owners with a copy.
| Skill | Stars | Used in | Tokens | Auto-check | Licence | Repo updated |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Agent Instructions this skillEpicenterHQ/epicenter | 4.8k | — | ~1.2k | Automated safety check: Pass | Custom licence | |
| Using Agent Skillsaddyosmani/agent-skills | 103k | 4 repos | ~2.4k | Automated safety check: Pass | MIT | |
| Claude ReflectBayramAnnakov/claude-reflect | 1.7k | 2 repos | ~627 | Automated safety check: Pass | MIT | |
| Neat-Freak Knowledge CloseoutKKKKhazix/khazix-skills | 21k | — | ~1.9k | Automated safety check: Pass | MIT | |
| Writing For Agentsbestofjs/bestofjs | 3.1k | 18 repos | ~2.7k | Automated safety check: Pass | MIT | |
| Task Observerrebelytics/one-skill-to-rule-them-all | 3.2k | 1 repos | ~12k | Automated safety check: Pass | CC-BY-4.0 |
Similar skills
Claude Reflect
BayramAnnakov/claude-reflect
Self-learning system that captures corrections during sessions and reminds users to run /reflect to update CLAUDE.md.
Neat-Freak Knowledge Closeout
KKKKhazix/khazix-skills
Brings project docs, agent rule files, authorized memory and leftover workspace files back in line with what the code and runtime actually do at the end of a work session.
Writing For Agents
bestofjs/bestofjs
Writing documents for agents. An agent skill from bestofjs/bestofjs.
Task Observer
rebelytics/one-skill-to-rule-them-all
Monitors task execution for skill improvement opportunities.
- Official
SkillOpt Sleep Cycle
microsoft/SkillOpt
Runs an on-demand or nightly sleep cycle that reviews past Claude Code sessions and proposes validated updates to CLAUDE.md and skills.
More from EpicenterHQ/epicenter
All 65 skills in this repoConsult Claude
EpicenterHQ/epicenter
Assign Claude Code a read-only investigation, recommendation, or finished text draft.
Better Auth Security Best Practices
EpicenterHQ/epicenter
Better Auth security hardening: rate limits, secrets, CSRF, trusted origins, cookies, sessions, OAuth tokens, and audit logging.
Cohesion Over Testability
EpicenterHQ/epicenter
Collapse test-shaped production boundaries while preserving behavior and coverage.
Collapse Pass
EpicenterHQ/epicenter
Remove indirection that does not earn its boundary across a diff or package.
Error Handling
EpicenterHQ/epicenter
Apply Wellcrafted Result patterns to fallible operations and preserve failures at boundaries.
Factory Function Composition
EpicenterHQ/epicenter
Factory function patterns to compose clients and services. An agent skill from EpicenterHQ/epicenter.
Related
Categories
Questions about Agent Instructions
What does Agent Instructions do?
Write and maintain repository guidance across AGENTS.md, CLAUDE.md, and .agents/skills. Agent Instructions is an agent skill from EpicenterHQ/epicenter.agents/skills.
When should I use Agent Instructions?
Agent Instructions fits situations like: deciding where instructions belong; diagnosing instruction sprawl and skill selection.
How do I install Agent Instructions in Claude Code?
Run `npx skills add EpicenterHQ/epicenter --skill agent-instructions -a claude-code`. Or copy the skill folder (.agents/skills/agent-instructions in EpicenterHQ/epicenter) into .claude/skills/agent-instructions in your project. Claude Code loads it when a task matches its description.
How do I install Agent Instructions in Codex?
Run `npx skills add EpicenterHQ/epicenter --skill agent-instructions -a codex`. Or copy the skill folder (.agents/skills/agent-instructions in EpicenterHQ/epicenter) into .agents/skills/agent-instructions in your project. Codex loads it when a task matches its description.
Can I use Agent Instructions in Cursor, Gemini CLI or GitHub Copilot?
Cursor, Gemini CLI, GitHub Copilot and OpenCode also load SKILL.md folders. With the skills CLI, run `npx skills add EpicenterHQ/epicenter --skill agent-instructions -a cursor` (or -a gemini-cli, github-copilot or opencode for the others). To copy it by hand, put the folder in .cursor/skills/agent-instructions, .gemini/skills/agent-instructions, .github/skills/agent-instructions and .opencode/skills/agent-instructions in your project.
What does Agent Instructions need to run?
Going by SKILL.md and its folder, Agent Instructions needs TypeScript for the scripts in its folder. Our summary lists: Node.js.
Does Agent Instructions access the network?
SKILL.md contains no URLs. Any network use would come from the scripts or tools the agent runs. This is read from the text; nothing was executed.
Is Agent Instructions safe to install?
Our automated static check of SKILL.md found no risky patterns, such as piping downloads into a shell, reading credential files or hidden Unicode. It is not a guarantee. The check reads SKILL.md only: the scripts in the folder are not scanned, so read them before running anything.
What licence does Agent Instructions use?
Agent Instructions has a licence file (the repository's licence) that doesn't match a standard licence. Read it on GitHub before reusing the skill.
How many tokens does Agent Instructions use?
About 1.2k tokens (SKILL.md is roughly 4.8k characters). Agents keep only the skill's name and description in context until a task matches; then they load SKILL.md in full. Its references folder adds about 1.5k tokens, read only when the agent opens those files.
What are the alternatives to Agent Instructions?
Skills that share tags, products or a category with Agent Instructions: Using Agent Skills (addyosmani/agent-skills, 103k stars), Claude Reflect (BayramAnnakov/claude-reflect, 1.7k stars), Neat-Freak Knowledge Closeout (KKKKhazix/khazix-skills, 21k stars) and Writing For Agents (bestofjs/bestofjs, 3.1k stars). The comparison table on this page puts their stars, adoption, token cost, safety result and licence side by side.
Who maintains Agent Instructions?
EpicenterHQ (a GitHub organization) maintains it in EpicenterHQ/epicenter, which has 4,821 GitHub stars. The repository holds 65 skills in this directory. The repository was last updated on October 8, 2026.
Source: EpicenterHQ/epicenter on GitHub. Facts on this page come from the repository at the commit we read; the author's words are quoted as theirs.