How do I install the Self Extracting Script skill?

Run npx get-skill add tomevault-io/self-extracting-script 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.

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Which AI agents work with Self Extracting Script?

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 Self Extracting Script free to use?

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

Who published Self Extracting Script?

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

Self Extracting Script by tomevault-io

Name: Self Extracting Script
Author: tomevault-io

Self Extracting Script

Create self-extracting Bash scripts that embed any payload (archives, executables, configs) using base64 encoding. Use when creating portable single-file installers, deployment packages, or distributing files without external dependencies. Use when this capability is needed.

tomevault-io Updated Sep 17, 2026

File contents

Self-Extracting Script Skill

Generate self-extracting Bash scripts from any payload file. The generated scripts embed the payload as base64 and extract it when executed.

Quick Start

# Basic extraction script
python scripts/create_self_extractor.py payload.tar.gz output.sh

# Auto-execute after extraction
python scripts/create_self_extractor.py setup.sh installer.sh --execute

# Custom output filename
python scripts/create_self_extractor.py config.json deploy.sh --output prod_config.json

Features

Embeds any file type (binary or text) using base64 encoding
Optional auto-execution of extracted content
Custom output filenames
Descriptive headers in generated scripts
Portable - requires only bash and base64

Usage

python scripts/create_self_extractor.py <payload> <output_script> [options]

Arguments

Argument	Description
`payload`	Path to the file to embed
`output_script`	Path for the generated self-extracting script

Options

Option	Description
`--execute`, `-e`	Run extracted file after extraction (for scripts)
`--output`, `-o`	Custom filename for extracted content
`--description`, `-d`	Description to include in script header

Examples

Software Deployment

python scripts/create_self_extractor.py myapp.tar.gz deploy_myapp.sh \
    --description "MyApp v1.2.3 deployment package"

Auto-Running Installer

python scripts/create_self_extractor.py install.sh installer.sh --execute

Configuration Distribution

python scripts/create_self_extractor.py config.yaml setup.sh \
    --output /etc/myapp/config.yaml

How It Works

Reads the payload file (binary or text)
Base64-encodes the content
Generates a Bash script with embedded payload
Script uses heredoc to safely store encoded data
On execution: decodes payload → writes to file → optionally executes

Size Considerations

Base64 encoding increases size by ~33%:

1 MB → ~1.33 MB
10 MB → ~13.3 MB

For payloads >50MB, consider alternative distribution methods.

Dependencies

Generation: Python 3.6+ Execution: bash, base64 (standard on most Unix systems)

Converted and distributed by TomeVault — claim your Tome and manage your conversions.

---name: self-extracting-scriptdescription: Create self-extracting Bash scripts that embed any payload (archives, executables, configs) using base64 encoding. Use when creating portable single-file installers, deployment packages, or distributing files without external dependencies. Use when this capability is needed.---# Self-Extracting Script SkillGenerate self-extracting Bash scripts from any payload file. The generated scripts embed the payload as base64 and extract it when executed.## Quick Start```bash# Basic extraction scriptpython scripts/create_self_extractor.py payload.tar.gz output.sh# Auto-execute after extractionpython scripts/create_self_extractor.py setup.sh installer.sh --execute# Custom output filenamepython scripts/create_self_extractor.py config.json deploy.sh --output prod_config.json```## Features- Embeds any file type (binary or text) using base64 encoding- Optional auto-execution of extracted content- Custom output filenames- Descriptive headers in generated scripts- Portable - requires only bash and base64## Usage```bashpython scripts/create_self_extractor.py <payload> <output_script> [options]```### Arguments| Argument | Description ||----------|-------------|| `payload` | Path to the file to embed || `output_script` | Path for the generated self-extracting script |### Options| Option | Description ||--------|-------------|| `--execute`, `-e` | Run extracted file after extraction (for scripts) || `--output`, `-o` | Custom filename for extracted content || `--description`, `-d` | Description to include in script header |## Examples### Software Deployment```bashpython scripts/create_self_extractor.py myapp.tar.gz deploy_myapp.sh \ --description "MyApp v1.2.3 deployment package"```### Auto-Running Installer```bashpython scripts/create_self_extractor.py install.sh installer.sh --execute```### Configuration Distribution```bashpython scripts/create_self_extractor.py config.yaml setup.sh \ --output /etc/myapp/config.yaml```## How It Works1. Reads the payload file (binary or text)2. Base64-encodes the content3. Generates a Bash script with embedded payload4. Script uses heredoc to safely store encoded data5. On execution: decodes payload → writes to file → optionally executes## Size ConsiderationsBase64 encoding increases size by ~33%:- 1 MB → ~1.33 MB- 10 MB → ~13.3 MBFor payloads >50MB, consider alternative distribution methods.## Dependencies**Generation:** Python 3.6+**Execution:** bash, base64 (standard on most Unix systems)---> Converted and distributed by [TomeVault](https://tomevault.io/claim/apanoia) — claim your Tome and manage your conversions.

Frequently asked questions