# Install agent skills

The [Stream Agent Skills](https://getstream.io/agent-skills/docs/) teach an AI coding agent to work with Stream, including how to use the CLI. Install them into each project the agent works in.

## Install

`getstream init` is the easiest way to install the skills. A project initialized with skills needs nothing more here.

If you didn't install the skills on project start, run `getstream skills` at the project root with the location your tool reads:

```bash
getstream skills --claude       # Claude Code (.claude/skills)
getstream skills --universal    # Cursor, Codex and other AGENTS-ecosystem tools (.agents/skills)
```

Skills download to a shared cache and link into each project, so all your projects share one copy - and every install refreshes the whole cache to the latest published skills. [`getstream skills`](https://getstream.io/cli/docs/commands/skills/) has the paths.

## Restart and verify

Agents scan their skills directories at startup, so a skill installed mid-session doesn't appear until the next one. Restart the agent, then run `/stream`: you'll see a description of the skills.

## Add more skills

Name any other skill from [GetStream/agent-skills](https://github.com/GetStream/agent-skills) to install it alongside the defaults:

```bash
getstream skills stream-react-native --claude
```

## Use the CLI without skills

The CLI self-describes well enough for an agent to work without skills; you just have to tell it the CLI exists. Add this to your project's agent instructions file (`CLAUDE.md`, `AGENTS.md` or equivalent):

```text
Use the `getstream` CLI for all Stream (Chat, Video, Feeds and Moderation) work.
- `getstream api --help` lists every endpoint. `getstream api <Endpoint> --schema`
  prints an endpoint's request body without calling it.
- Pass `--jq <expr>` to filter responses instead of parsing full payloads.
- Credentials resolve from `.stream/creds.yaml` automatically. Never read that file.
```

You lose the packaged workflows and query syntax the skills carry. The agent rediscovers what it needs through `--help` and `--schema`.

## Related

- [`getstream skills`](https://getstream.io/cli/docs/commands/skills/): flags and install locations
- [Using the CLI with an agent](https://getstream.io/cli/docs/concepts/agents/): guardrails and the division of labor
- [Agent Skills documentation](https://getstream.io/agent-skills/docs/): what each skill teaches

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For the most recent version of this documentation, visit [https://getstream.io/cli/docs/install-skills/](https://getstream.io/cli/docs/install-skills/).