---
name: Add an Upstream Skill
slug: add-an-upstream-skill
category: Automation
description: Add an Upstream Skill writes a workspace entry for a bundled skill or GitHub source without vendoring it. Use it when you want to keep upstream metadata and choose your own shelf, branch, and reason.
github: "https://github.com/MoizIbnYousaf/ai-agent-skills/tree/main/docs/workflows/add-an-upstream-skill.md"
language: JavaScript
stars: 1136
forks: 131
install: "npx degit https://github.com/MoizIbnYousaf/ai-agent-skills/tree/main/docs/workflows ~/.claude/skills/workflows"
installs_to: ~/.claude/skills/workflows
source_path: docs/workflows/add-an-upstream-skill.md
collection_size: 18
category_size: 1754
collection_url: "https://dirskills.com/collections/MoizIbnYousaf/ai-agent-skills"
added: 2026-09-03T06:03:14.838Z
last_synced: 2026-09-03T06:03:14.838Z
canonical_url: "https://dirskills.com/skills/add-an-upstream-skill"
---

# Add an Upstream Skill

Add an Upstream Skill writes a workspace entry for a bundled skill or GitHub source without vendoring it. Use it when you want to keep upstream metadata and choose your own shelf, branch, and reason.

**Install:**

```bash
npx degit https://github.com/MoizIbnYousaf/ai-agent-skills/tree/main/docs/workflows ~/.claude/skills/workflows
```

## README

# Add an Upstream Skill

Use `add` when you want a workspace entry but do not want to vendor the source.

From the bundled reference library:

```bash
npx ai-agent-skills add frontend-design --area frontend --branch Implementation --why "I want this on my shelf."
```

From a GitHub repo:

```bash
npx ai-agent-skills add anthropics/skills --skill ask-questions-if-underspecified --area workflow --branch Planning --why "I use this to tighten vague requests."
```

`add` writes to the active workspace only.

It keeps the upstream metadata:

- `description`
- `source`
- `sourceUrl`
- `installSource`
- `tags`
- `labels`
- `requires`

You still choose:

- shelf
- branch
- why it belongs

That keeps the workspace shaped like your own library instead of becoming a blind copy.