How do I install the Slim License skill?

Run npx skillmds add majiayu000/slim-license in your terminal (requires Node.js), paste this page's agent-chat prompt into Claude, Cursor, or any MCP-connected agent, or download the SKILL.md file and copy it into your agent's skills directory.

What does the Slim License skill do?

Detect project type and add appropriate NASA/Open Source licenses It is listed under Coding & Dev Tools on SkillMD.

Is Slim License safe to use?

This skill has not completed SkillMD's automated safety review yet. Capability flags: makes network calls. SkillMD never runs a skill's scripts for you; review the SKILL.md before installing.

Which AI agents work with Slim License?

This skill is tagged as working with Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex. SKILL.md is an open format, so most agents that read a skills directory can load it too.

Is Slim License free to use?

Yes. Installing skills from SkillMD is free, and the skill stays under its author's original license.

Who published Slim License?

majiayu000 (@majiayu000) published this skill. Their other Agent Skills are listed on their SkillMD profile.

Slim License by majiayu000 — Agent Skill

Name: Slim License
Rating: 4.5 (4 reviews)
Author: majiayu000

File contents

License Writer

Overview

This skill helps you add appropriate open source licenses to your project. It supports both standard open source licenses and NASA JPL variants with institutional copyright headers.

When to Use This Skill

Starting a new project that needs a license
Converting a private project to open source
Updating or clarifying licensing for an existing project
Ensuring NASA/JPL compliance for government projects

Supported Licenses

Standard Open Source Licenses

Apache 2.0: Permissive license with patent protection
MIT: Simple and permissive license

NASA JPL Variants

Apache 2.0 + JPL Copyright: Apache license with Caltech/JPL institutional headers
MIT + JPL Copyright: MIT license with Caltech/JPL institutional headers

Workflow

Step 1: Check for Existing License

First, check if a LICENSE file already exists in the repository root:

ls -la LICENSE*

If a license exists, ask the user if they want to replace it or keep it.

Step 2: Determine License Type

Ask the user:

Which license would you like to use?
- Apache 2.0 (recommended for most projects)
- MIT (simpler, more permissive)
Is this a NASA JPL project?
- Yes: Use JPL variant with institutional copyright
- No: Use standard open source license

Step 3: Select and Apply License

Based on the user's choices, copy the appropriate license file from the assets directory:

Apache 2.0 + JPL: assets/LICENSE-APACHE-JPL
MIT + JPL: assets/LICENSE-MIT-JPL
Apache 2.0: assets/LICENSE-APACHE
MIT: assets/LICENSE-MIT

Copy the selected file to the repository root as LICENSE:

cp assets/LICENSE-[TYPE] LICENSE

Step 4: Verify and Customize

Open the LICENSE file
If using a JPL variant, verify the copyright year is current
If needed, update the copyright holder information
Confirm the license is in place

Step 5: Update Documentation

Remind the user to:

Add a license badge to their README.md
Reference the license in their documentation
Add copyright headers to source files (optional but recommended)

Quick Reference

License Selection Guide

Choose Apache 2.0 when:

You want explicit patent protection
Your project includes significant original code
You're concerned about patent litigation
Industry standard for enterprise software

Choose MIT when:

You want maximum simplicity
Your project is a small utility or library
You want to minimize license overhead
Compatible with virtually any other license

Use JPL variant when:

Project is funded by or developed at NASA JPL
Institutional copyright attribution is required
Government compliance is needed

Assets Available

LICENSE-APACHE: Standard Apache 2.0 License
LICENSE-APACHE-JPL: Apache 2.0 with JPL/Caltech copyright
LICENSE-MIT: Standard MIT License
LICENSE-MIT-JPL: MIT with JPL/Caltech copyright

Additional Resources

---name: slim-licensedescription: Detect project type and add appropriate NASA/Open Source licenses--- # License Writer ## Overview This skill helps you add appropriate open source licenses to your project. It supports both standard open source licenses and NASA JPL variants with institutional copyright headers. ## When to Use This Skill - Starting a new project that needs a license - Converting a private project to open source - Updating or clarifying licensing for an existing project - Ensuring NASA/JPL compliance for government projects ## Supported Licenses ### Standard Open Source Licenses - **Apache 2.0**: Permissive license with patent protection - **MIT**: Simple and permissive license ### NASA JPL Variants - **Apache 2.0 + JPL Copyright**: Apache license with Caltech/JPL institutional headers - **MIT + JPL Copyright**: MIT license with Caltech/JPL institutional headers ## Workflow ### Step 1: Check for Existing License First, check if a LICENSE file already exists in the repository root: ```bash ls -la LICENSE* ``` If a license exists, ask the user if they want to replace it or keep it. ### Step 2: Determine License Type Ask the user: 1. **Which license would you like to use?** - Apache 2.0 (recommended for most projects) - MIT (simpler, more permissive) 2. **Is this a NASA JPL project?** - Yes: Use JPL variant with institutional copyright - No: Use standard open source license ### Step 3: Select and Apply License Based on the user's choices, copy the appropriate license file from the assets directory: - **Apache 2.0 + JPL**: `assets/LICENSE-APACHE-JPL` - **MIT + JPL**: `assets/LICENSE-MIT-JPL` - **Apache 2.0**: `assets/LICENSE-APACHE` - **MIT**: `assets/LICENSE-MIT` Copy the selected file to the repository root as `LICENSE`: ```bash cp assets/LICENSE-[TYPE] LICENSE ``` ### Step 4: Verify and Customize 1. Open the LICENSE file 2. If using a JPL variant, verify the copyright year is current 3. If needed, update the copyright holder information 4. Confirm the license is in place ### Step 5: Update Documentation Remind the user to: - Add a license badge to their README.md - Reference the license in their documentation - Add copyright headers to source files (optional but recommended) ## Quick Reference ### License Selection Guide **Choose Apache 2.0 when:** - You want explicit patent protection - Your project includes significant original code - You're concerned about patent litigation - Industry standard for enterprise software **Choose MIT when:** - You want maximum simplicity - Your project is a small utility or library - You want to minimize license overhead - Compatible with virtually any other license **Use JPL variant when:** - Project is funded by or developed at NASA JPL - Institutional copyright attribution is required - Government compliance is needed ## Assets Available - `LICENSE-APACHE`: Standard Apache 2.0 License - `LICENSE-APACHE-JPL`: Apache 2.0 with JPL/Caltech copyright - `LICENSE-MIT`: Standard MIT License - `LICENSE-MIT-JPL`: MIT with JPL/Caltech copyright ## Additional Resources - [Apache License 2.0](https://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0) - [MIT License](https://opensource.org/licenses/MIT) - [Choose a License](https://choosealicense.com/)

Frequently asked questions