---
name: Add Upstream Skill
slug: add-upstream-skill
category: AI Engineering
description: Add Upstream Skill adds a remote skill entry to the active workspace without copying its source. Use it to keep your library shaped like your own while preserving upstream metadata and choosing shelf, branch, and reason.
github: "https://github.com/MoizIbnYousaf/Ai-Agent-Skills/tree/main/docs/workflows/add-an-upstream-skill.md"
language: JavaScript
stars: 1124
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: 2451
collection_url: "https://dirskills.com/collections/MoizIbnYousaf/Ai-Agent-Skills"
added: 2026-08-20T07:56:23.325Z
last_synced: 2026-08-20T07:56:23.325Z
canonical_url: "https://dirskills.com/skills/add-upstream-skill"
---

# Add Upstream Skill

Add Upstream Skill adds a remote skill entry to the active workspace without copying its source. Use it to keep your library shaped like your own while preserving upstream metadata and choosing 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.