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How to install a skill in Claude Code, Codex or Cursor

A skill is a folder with a SKILL.md file (instructions for the agent) plus templates and scripts. Install it once, and your agent uses it whenever a request matches. The same folder works in Claude Code, Codex, Cursor and Gemini CLI; only where it goes differs.

Folder locations are from each agent's own documentation, checked on October 29, 2026.

What a skill is

Skills follow the open Agent Skills format. A skill is one folder, named after the skill, with:

  • SKILL.md: the instructions. A short header gives the skill's name and a description of when to use it; the agent reads the description to decide whether a request matches, and the rest when it does.
  • References: longer notes the instructions point to, read only when needed.
  • Templates and scripts: the files the agent copies or runs, such as a video template, a brief file or a check.

Nothing is installed system-wide and no account is created: the agent reads the folder, and the skill's commands run in your project.

The fastest way: ask your agent

Copy the install prompt from any skill page and paste it into your agent:

Read https://claude-motion.com/skills/<slug>/install.md and follow it to install the "<slug>" skill, then make a first video with it.

The agent reads the guide and runs one command, npx motion-skills install <slug>. The first time, a page opens in your browser: sign in with Google and approve the code your terminal shows. For a paid skill you don't own yet, the same page lets you buy it, and the install finishes by itself. Then the agent makes a first video. (If the command can't run, the guide falls back to a download in your browser.)

Manual install

  1. Download the ZIP from the skill page.
  2. Unzip it so the folder keeps its name (<slug>/SKILL.md):
    • Claude Code: ~/.claude/skills/<slug>/, or .claude/skills/<slug>/ inside a project
    • Codex: ~/.agents/skills/<slug>/
    • Cursor: .cursor/skills/<slug>/ inside the project
    • Gemini CLI: ~/.gemini/skills/<slug>/
  3. Start a new agent session so it picks up the skill.
mkdir -p ~/.claude/skills
unzip -o ~/Downloads/kinetic-type-title.zip -d ~/.claude/skills/

What you need on your machine

  • Node.js 22 or newer
  • FFmpeg (brew install ffmpeg on macOS)
  • Google Chrome (the renderer drives it headlessly)

Full-film skills and the free Motion Director skill run on our open engine motion-skills (mo), which installs itself through npx the first time it renders; motion templates use the HyperFrames CLI, which installs itself the same way. No API keys are needed.

Using a skill

With a motion template, just ask: "Make a 9:16 title card that says Ship faster, sleep better." The agent copies the template, writes a brief.json, runs hyperframes check, looks at snapshot frames to catch layout problems, then renders the MP4 and tells you where it is.

With a full-film skill, give your agent your material and say what the film is for. It shows you three directions as real frames, writes a rhythm sheet and an original score, runs the mo checks and a review, then renders the MP4 in your own Chrome.

For a full walkthrough with a real example film, see How to make a video with Claude Code. For Codex, Cursor or Gemini CLI, with every folder each one reads, see Make videos with Codex, Cursor or Gemini CLI.

Troubleshooting

  • The agent doesn't use the skill. Start a new session after installing; agents read their skills when a session starts (in Gemini CLI, /skills reload does it in place). Then ask again and name the skill: "use the changelog-video skill". Check the folder too: SKILL.md must sit directly inside <slug>/, not one level deeper after unzipping.
  • "FFmpeg not found". Install it (brew install ffmpeg on macOS) and open a new terminal so it's on your path.
  • "Chrome not found". Install Google Chrome; the renderer drives it headlessly. Full-film skills check this for you first with mo doctor, and motion templates with node kit/doctor.mjs.
  • The sign-in page doesn't open. The terminal prints the address and the code; open the address yourself and enter the code.

Questions

Where do I put a skill for Claude Code?

In ~/.claude/skills/<slug>/ for every project, or .claude/skills/<slug>/ inside one project. The folder keeps the skill's name and holds its SKILL.md. Start a new Claude Code session so it picks the skill up.

What is SKILL.md?

A file of instructions for the agent, inside a skill folder with templates and scripts. Its header names the skill and says when to use it; the agent reads it when a request matches.

Do skills work in Codex, Cursor and Gemini CLI?

Yes. The same folder works in each; only the location differs: ~/.agents/skills/<slug>/ for Codex, .cursor/skills/<slug>/ in the project for Cursor, and ~/.gemini/skills/<slug>/ for Gemini CLI.

Do I need an API key?

No. The skills run on your computer with Node.js, FFmpeg and Chrome, and the engines install themselves through npx. The only sign-in is a free Google account on this site, to download.