diff
Show differences between source and targets.
skillshare diff # All targets
skillshare diff claude # Specific target
When to Use
- See exactly what's different between source and a target before syncing
- Find skills that exist only in a target (local-only, not yet collected)
- Identify local copies that could be replaced by symlinks
Example Output
claude
+ missing-skill source only
~ local-copy local copy (sync --force to replace)
- local-only local only
Run 'sync' to add missing, 'sync --force' to replace local copies
Run 'collect claude' to import local-only skills to source
Grouped Multi-Target Output
When multiple targets have identical diff results, they are grouped into a single block to reduce noise:
claude, agents
+ skill-1 source only
+ skill-2 source only
Run 'sync' to add missing, 'sync --force' to replace local copies
cursor
+ skill-1 source only
Run 'sync' to add missing, 'sync --force' to replace local copies
codex, copilot: fully synced
Targets with different results (e.g. due to include/exclude filters) are still shown separately.
Symbols
| Symbol | Meaning | Action |
|---|---|---|
+ | In source, missing in target | sync will add it |
~ | In both, but target has local copy (not symlink) | sync --force to replace |
- | Only in target, not in source | collect to import |
What Diff Shows
Merge Mode Targets
For targets using merge mode (default):
- Lists skills in that target's expected set (after
include/exclude) not yet synced - Shows skills that exist as local copies instead of symlinks
- Identifies orphan directories tracked by manifest (will be pruned on sync)
- Identifies local-only skills in target (not in manifest — preserved)
Copy Mode Targets
For targets using copy mode:
- Lists skills in source not yet managed (missing from manifest)
- Shows orphan managed copies no longer in source (will be pruned on sync)
- Identifies local-only skills (not in source and not managed)
Symlink Mode Targets
For targets using symlink mode:
- Simply checks if symlink points to correct source
- Shows "Fully synced" or warns about wrong symlink
Use Cases
Before Sync
Check what will change:
skillshare diff
# See what sync will do, then:
skillshare sync
Finding Local Skills
Discover skills you created directly in a target:
skillshare diff claude
# Shows: - my-local-skill local only
skillshare collect claude # Import to source
Troubleshooting
When sync status shows issues:
skillshare status # Shows "needs sync"
skillshare diff claude # See exactly what's different
skillshare sync # Fix it
Options
| Flag | Description |
|---|---|
--project, -p | Use project mode |
--global, -g | Use global mode |