What You Need First
Skills run in three places. Pick the one you already use, and follow that section below.
A Claude skill is a folder with a SKILL.md file inside. Installing a skill means putting that folder where your version of Claude can find it. You do not edit code; you either run one command, add a plugin, or upload a file.
Decide where you work. Claude Code is the command-line tool, best if you are comfortable in a terminal. Claude.ai is the web and desktop app, best if you want to point and click. The skills CLI is a one-command installer that works across tools. Each method is below; you only need one.
If you have not chosen which skills to install yet, read [the best Claude skills for creators](/guides/best-claude-skills-for-creators) and come back with one in mind.
Install With the Skills CLI (Easiest)
Most community skills publish a one-line install command using the open skills CLI. This is the fastest path for skills hosted on GitHub.
Find the install command
On the skill's page or GitHub README, look for a line like npx skills add owner/repo. For example, the marketing skills collection uses npx skills add coreyhaines31/marketingskills.
Run it in your terminal
Open your terminal, paste the command, and press enter. The CLI downloads the skill and places it where your agent can load it. You need Node.js installed, which is what makes the npx command work.
Confirm the install finished
The CLI prints a success message and the skill name. If it lists several skills, the whole collection installed and each loads when its task comes up.
Install in Claude Code
Claude Code loads skills from a skills folder and can install Anthropic's official skills as plugins.
For official Anthropic skills, add the marketplace
In Claude Code, run /plugin marketplace add anthropics/skills. This connects Claude Code to Anthropic's official skill collection.
Install the plugin you want
Run /plugin install document-skills@anthropic-agent-skills for the document skills, or /plugin install example-skills@anthropic-agent-skills for the examples. They are available immediately.
For a skill from GitHub, copy the folder
Clone the repository, then copy the skill folder into your Claude Code skills directory at ~/.claude/skills/. Claude Code reads it on the next run. The skills CLI in the section above does this copy step for you.
Install in Claude.ai
The web and desktop apps let you add skills through settings, without a terminal. This needs a paid plan that supports skills.
Open settings and find Skills
In Claude.ai, go to settings and find the Skills or Capabilities area. Skill upload is available on paid plans.
Upload the skill
Add the skill through the interface by uploading the skill file or folder. Some skills built for Claude.ai ship a single file made for this upload; the skill's README will say which file to use.
Turn it on
Enable the skill in settings. From then on, Claude loads it automatically whenever your request matches what the skill does.
Troubleshooting
If a skill does not seem to load, these are the common causes.
Wrong folder
For Claude Code, the skill folder has to sit inside ~/.claude/skills/. If it landed somewhere else, move it there and start a new session.
Session not refreshed
Claude reads skills when a session starts. After installing, start a new conversation or restart the tool so it picks up the new skill.
The description does not match your request
A skill only loads when your request matches its description. If it is not triggering, name the task plainly, or ask Claude to use the skill by name.
Plan does not support skills
In Claude.ai, skill upload needs a paid plan. If you do not see the option, check your plan, or use Claude Code or the skills CLI instead.
Next Steps
With a skill installed, the content side speeds up. The engagement your content earns is the next thing to handle.
Once your hook, carousel, and caption skills are in place, you will produce more posts in less time. The bottleneck moves to the replies. When a post asks people to comment a keyword and they do, answering each one inside the window where it still lands is more than you can do by hand.
CreatorFlow handles that step. Pick a keyword, and when someone comments it or replies to a story, CreatorFlow sends them the link or freebie instantly through Meta's official Instagram Graph API. No cold outreach, no bots, no password sharing. Your skills make the content; CreatorFlow works the engagement it triggers.
CreatorFlow is a Meta-approved Tech Provider. Every DM goes through the official Instagram Graph API, so there is no ban risk and you never share your password.
Skills make the content. CreatorFlow works the DMs.
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