# Skill Vs Repo

> Distinguish Hermes skills from regular GitHub repos and know how to install each correctly.

- Skill: `theheavenlyd3mon/skill-vs-repo` (Agent Skill)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds add theheavenlyd3mon/skill-vs-repo`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/theheavenlyd3mon/skill-vs-repo/raw
- Safety review: pending (external: skill-scanner PASS, skillspector PASS)
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Coding & Dev Tools
- Author: theheavenlyd3mon (https://skillmd.com/u/theheavenlyd3mon)
- Updated: 2026-08-19
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/theheavenlyd3mon/skill-vs-repo

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# Skill vs. Repo — Installation Guide

## The Pitfall

Not every NousResearch (or other) repository is a Hermes **skill**. Many repos are standalone tools, libraries, or projects that have no `SKILL.md` file and will not appear in the Hermes skills section.

## How to Tell

| Feature | Hermes Skill | Regular Repo/Tool |
|---------|-------------|-------------------|
| Contains `SKILL.md` | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Lives in `~/.hermes/skills/` | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Loaded via `/skill name` | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Installed via `git clone` into `~/.hermes/skills/<category>/<name>/` | ✅ Yes | N/A |
| Installed via `pip install` or run as a project | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |

## Example: `hermes-agent-self-evolution`

This repo is a **standalone Python tool**, not a skill. It optimizes Hermes skills but is not one itself.

**Correct installation:**
```bash
cd ~
git clone https://github.com/NousResearch/hermes-agent-self-evolution.git
cd hermes-agent-self-evolution
pip install -e ".[dev]"
export HERMES_AGENT_REPO=~/.hermes/hermes-agent
```

**If you want quick Hermes access**, create a wrapper skill manually:
```bash
mkdir -p ~/.hermes/skills/self-evolution
cat > ~/.hermes/skills/self-evolution/SKILL.md << 'EOF'
---
name: self-evolution
description: Wrapper for the hermes-agent-self-evolution tool
---

Run from ~/hermes-agent-self-evolution:

```bash
python -m evolution.skills.evolve_skill --skill <name> --iterations 10 --eval-source synthetic
```
EOF
```

## Quick Check

Before telling a user to load a repo as a skill, verify it contains a `SKILL.md` at its root or in a subfolder meant for skills.