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How to Install Claude Skills in Claude Code, Cursor & Windsurf

ImAiFox Team||4 min read
Claude SkillsInstallationClaude CodeCursorWindsurfTutorial

Claude Skills are SKILL.md files that teach your AI assistant how to perform specific tasks. This guide covers three ways to install them — from the easiest (copy-paste) to the most flexible (git clone).

Method 1: AI-Ready Prompt (Recommended)

The fastest way to install a skill. Every skill on ImAiFox has an AI-ready install prompt you can copy and paste directly into your AI assistant.

  1. Find the skill on ImAiFox's Skills directory
  2. Click the copy button on the install prompt
  3. Paste it into Claude Code, Cursor, or Windsurf
  4. The AI will download the SKILL.md file, place it in the correct directory, and confirm the installation

This method works because the AI-ready prompt includes all the context your assistant needs — the repository URL, file location, and installation instructions.

Method 2: Manual Download

If you prefer to install skills manually:

  1. Navigate to the skill's GitHub repository
  2. Download the SKILL.md file
  3. Place it in your project's skills directory:
    • Claude Code: .claude/skills/SKILL.md
    • Cursor: .cursor/skills/SKILL.md
    • Windsurf: .windsurf/skills/SKILL.md
  4. Restart your AI assistant or reload the window

Method 3: Git Clone

For skills that include companion files (templates, configs, examples):

  1. Clone the skill's repository: git clone <repo-url>
  2. Copy the relevant files to your project's skills directory
  3. Some skills include a setup script — check the README for instructions

Verifying Installation

After installing a skill, verify it's working:

  1. Restart Claude Code (or reload the window in Cursor/Windsurf)
  2. Ask your AI assistant about the skill — e.g., "What skills do you have available?"
  3. Try using the skill on a relevant task to confirm it's loaded correctly

Troubleshooting

  • Skill not detected: Make sure the file is in the correct directory and named exactly SKILL.md (case-sensitive)
  • Wrong behavior: Check that you installed the complete skill — some skills reference companion files that must also be present
  • Multiple skills conflict: If two skills give contradictory instructions, the AI will try to reconcile them. Consider removing the less relevant skill

Ready to find your first skill? Browse 800+ Claude Skills on ImAiFox — sorted by popularity, verified from GitHub.