Installation

Requirements

Node.js 18 or later
npm (included with Node.js)
A terminal with internet access

Install and authenticate

The Skillett CLI is distributed via npm. No global install required — use npx to always run the latest version:

npx skillett login

This starts the device authorization flow. The CLI:

Requests a device code from the Skillett API
Opens your browser to the dashboard verification page
Displays a human-readable code (e.g., ABCD-1234) in your terminal
Polls until you authorize in the browser
Prompts you to paste your API key

Direct key authentication

If you already have an API key, skip the device flow:

npx skillett login --key sk_a1b2c3d4e5f6...

Platform detection

After login, the CLI detects your agent platform and installs the core skill pointer in the appropriate location:

Platform	Detection	Skill path
Claude Code	`.claude/` directory exists	`.claude/skills/skillett/`
Cursor	`.cursor/` directory exists	`.cursor/rules/skillett/`
Windsurf	`.windsurf/` directory exists	`.windsurf/rules/skillett/`
Generic	None of the above	`.skillett/skills/skillett/`

The core skill is a lightweight markdown pointer that tells your agent how to invoke Skillett commands.

Environment

The CLI stores configuration in a .env file in the detected platform directory:

SKILLETT_API_KEY=sk_a1b2c3d4e5f6...
SKILLETT_PLATFORM=claude

Verify installation

skillett status

{
  "user": {
    "email": "david@example.com",
    "display_name": "David",
    "plan": "free"
  },
  "integrations": [
    { "slug": "github", "name": "GitHub", "status": "connected" }
  ]
}

Updating

Since you run via npx, you always get the latest version. To check your current version:

npx skillett --version