Guide · Open source
How to use claude-skills with Claude Code: install and activate skills
Updated · written with AI from the project's own documentation and checked against our catalogue data
claude-skills is an open-source collection of 67 skills for Claude Code, Anthropic's coding assistant. Each skill is a focused set of instructions and reference material for an area such as a framework, testing, DevOps or security. This guide shows you how to add the marketplace, install the skills, and understand how they activate, so you can get expert-level guidance from Claude on full-stack work.
Claude SkillsJeffallan/claude-skills · ★ 12.2k · MIT Install options & downloads Quick start
- 1Confirm Claude Code is installed. claude-skills is built for Claude Code, so you need it running first.
- 2Add the marketplace. Inside Claude Code, run /plugin marketplace add jeffallan/claude-skills.
- 3Install the skills. Run /plugin install fullstack-dev-skills@fullstack-dev-skills to install the bundle.
- 4Describe your task in plain language. Skills activate automatically based on your request, so mention the framework or area you are working in.
- 5Use workflows for bigger features. For multi-step work, follow a workflow chain such as Feature Development, from design through testing and review.
- 6Set up Atlassian MCP if you need Jira or Confluence. The workflow commands require an Atlassian MCP server, so follow the Atlassian MCP Setup Guide first.
What you need before you install claude-skills
The only prerequisite listed in the README is Claude Code. The skills are built for Claude Code, and the README does not describe using them with other hosts.
The project is released under the MIT licence.
- Claude Code installed and working
- Basic familiarity with running slash commands inside Claude Code
Install claude-skills in Claude Code
Installation is two steps inside Claude Code. First, add the marketplace. Then install the skills bundle from it.
The README's Quick Start points to a separate Quick Start Guide for all installation methods and first steps.
- Step 1: add the marketplace
- Step 2: install the fullstack-dev-skills plugin
/plugin marketplace add jeffallan/claude-skills
/plugin install fullstack-dev-skills@fullstack-dev-skillsHow skills activate automatically
You do not call most skills by name. The README says skills activate automatically based on your request. Describe the task in plain language, and Claude loads the matching skill.
The README gives this example: asking Claude to implement JWT authentication in a NestJS API activates the NestJS Expert skill and loads references/authentication.md. A request to build a React component with Server Components activates the React Expert skill and loads references/server-components.md.
- Backend example: "Implement JWT authentication in my NestJS API" activates NestJS Expert
- Frontend example: "Build a React component with Server Components" activates React Expert
Run multi-skill workflows for larger features
Complex tasks can combine several skills. The README lists three example chains, shown in the order they run.
The full list of skills, decision trees and workflow combinations is in the Skills Guide.
- Feature Development: Feature Forge, Architecture Designer, Fullstack Guardian, Test Master, DevOps Engineer
- Bug Investigation: Debugging Wizard, Framework Expert, Test Master, Code Reviewer
- Security Hardening: Secure Code Guardian, Security Reviewer, Test Master
Use the context and project workflow commands
The README describes /common-ground, which surfaces and validates Claude's assumptions about your project. Full documentation is in the Common Ground Guide.
The README also describes 9 workflow commands that manage epics from discovery through retrospectives, integrating with Jira and Confluence. These require an Atlassian MCP server. The README points to an Atlassian MCP Setup Guide for that. If you cannot set up that server, the Jira and Confluence commands will not work for you.
- /common-ground: context engineering, see docs/COMMON_GROUND.md
- Workflow commands: require an Atlassian MCP server, see docs/ATLASSIAN_MCP_SETUP.md
Write your own local skills
If the bundled skills do not cover your stack, the README links to a Local Development guide for writing local skills. Each skill lives in a skills folder with a SKILL.md file and an optional references folder of deeper material, according to the README's documentation list.
Contribution guidelines for adding skills and writing references are in CONTRIBUTING.md.
- skills/*/SKILL.md: individual skill documentation
- skills/*/references/: deep-dive reference materials
- docs/local_skill_development.md: local skill development guide
What people use it for
- Asking Claude for JWT authentication in a NestJS API with guidance from the NestJS skill
- Building a React component with Server Components using the React skill
- Running a feature from design through testing and review with the Feature Development chain
- Investigating a bug with the Debugging Wizard, Framework Expert, Test Master and Code Reviewer skills
- Writing your own local skill for a project-specific area, following the local development guide
Frequently asked questions
Is claude-skills free to use?
The project is released under the MIT licence, as stated in the README. The README does not mention any price.
What do I need to use claude-skills?
The README lists Claude Code as the prerequisite. The skills are built for Claude Code, and the README does not describe other hosts.
How do I install claude-skills?
In Claude Code, run /plugin marketplace add jeffallan/claude-skills, then run /plugin install fullstack-dev-skills@fullstack-dev-skills. The Quick Start Guide covers other installation methods.
Do I need to call each skill by name?
No. According to the README, skills activate automatically based on your request, so describing your task is usually enough.
Why don't the Jira or Confluence commands work for me?
The README says the workflow commands require an Atlassian MCP server. Set that up using the Atlassian MCP Setup Guide before using these commands.
Can I make my own skills?
Yes. The README links to a Local Development guide for writing local skills, and it describes the SKILL.md and references file layout.
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Our verdict
claude-skills suits developers who already use Claude Code and work across frontend, backend and infrastructure, especially on frameworks like NestJS and React. It is less useful if you do not use Claude Code, or if you need Jira and Confluence workflows but cannot set up an Atlassian MCP server.
Install options & downloads