GitHub Repo Installation Skill
When a GitHub URL is pasted, follow this process. Do NOT install before classifying.
Step 1 — Clone and classify
Clone the repo to /tmp/ (or $env:TEMP on Windows) and inspect the structure:
SKILL.mdat the root → it's a skill.claude-plugin/plugin.json→ it's a pluginpackage.jsonwith an MCP server entry point (look formcp,bin, or server config) → it's an MCP server- None of the above → standalone tool, framework, or app
Step 2 — Handle by type
Skill
Copy the entire skill directory to .claude/skills/[skill-name]/. The directory name should match the name field in the skill's frontmatter.
Plugin
Use the plugin marketplace if it's listed:
/plugin install [name]@[marketplace]
/reload-plugins
If not on a marketplace, the user must add it as a custom plugin source.
MCP Server
Add the server to .claude/settings.json under a mcpServers key. Format depends on the server — read its README.
Standalone Tool
Don't install into .claude/. Clone it to the project root or a sibling directory, depending on what makes sense.
Rules
- NEVER install before classifying
- NEVER dump an entire repo into
.claude/skills/ - Verify the install worked by checking for the expected files
- If anything is ambiguous, ask the user before proceeding