URL Formats
All source URL patterns recognized by skillshare install.
Quick Reference
| Format | Example | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| GitHub shorthand | owner/repo | Expands to github.com/owner/repo |
| GitHub with subdir | owner/repo/path/to/skill | Installs specific skill from repo |
| Full HTTPS | https://github.com/owner/repo | Any Git host |
| Full HTTPS with subdir | https://github.com/owner/repo/path | Subdir after host/owner/repo |
| SSH | [email protected]:owner/repo.git | Private repos via SSH key |
| SSH with subdir | [email protected]:owner/repo.git//path | // separates repo from subdir |
| GHE Cloud | mycompany.github.com/org/repo | Enterprise Cloud subdomain |
| GHE Server | github.mycompany.com/org/repo | Enterprise Server |
| Local path | ~/my-skill or /abs/path | Copies directory to source |
| Git file URL | file:///path/to/repo | Local git clone (for testing) |
GitHub Shorthand
The simplest format — just owner/repo:
skillshare install anthropics/skills
skillshare install ComposioHQ/awesome-claude-skills
This expands to https://github.com/owner/repo internally.
With Subdirectory
Add a path after owner/repo to install a specific skill:
skillshare install anthropics/skills/skills/pdf
skillshare install anthropics/skills/skills/commit
When the subdir doesn't match exactly, skillshare scans the repo for a skill with that basename:
# "pdf" doesn't exist at root, but found at skills/pdf/ — resolves automatically
skillshare install anthropics/skills/pdf
Full HTTPS URLs
Works with any Git host:
# GitHub
skillshare install https://github.com/owner/repo
# GitLab
skillshare install https://gitlab.com/owner/repo
# Bitbucket
skillshare install https://bitbucket.org/owner/repo
# Self-hosted Gitea
skillshare install https://git.mycompany.com/team/skills
SSH URLs
Use SSH for private repositories:
# Standard SSH
skillshare install [email protected]:owner/repo.git
# With subdirectory (note the // separator)
skillshare install [email protected]:owner/repo.git//path/to/skill
# GitLab SSH
skillshare install [email protected]:owner/repo.git
// separatorFor SSH URLs, use // to separate the repo from the subdirectory path. This is because the : in SSH URLs already serves as a separator, so the standard / path convention would be ambiguous.
GitHub Enterprise
Enterprise hostnames are recognized automatically:
# Enterprise Cloud (subdomain pattern: *.github.com)
skillshare install mycompany.github.com/org/repo
# Enterprise Server (hostname pattern: github.*.*)
skillshare install github.mycompany.com/org/repo
skillshare install github.internal.corp/team/skills
Both patterns support subdirectory paths:
skillshare install github.mycompany.com/org/repo/path/to/skill
Local Paths
Install from a directory on your filesystem:
# Absolute path
skillshare install /home/user/my-skill
# Home directory shorthand
skillshare install ~/my-skill
# Relative path
skillshare install ./local-skill
Local installs copy files (not symlink) and are not updatable via skillshare update.
Authentication
SSH Keys (Recommended for Private Repos)
# Ensure your SSH key is loaded
ssh-add ~/.ssh/id_ed25519
# Install via SSH
skillshare install [email protected]:company/private-skills.git
HTTPS with Tokens
For HTTPS URLs, git uses your configured credential helper:
# Configure git credential helper (one-time)
git config --global credential.helper store
# Or use GH CLI for GitHub
gh auth login
# Then install normally
skillshare install https://github.com/company/private-repo
If you get an authentication error with HTTPS, switch to SSH URLs. Skillshare sets GIT_TERMINAL_PROMPT=0 to prevent hanging credential prompts, so interactive HTTPS auth won't work.
Platform Support
| Feature | GitHub | GitLab | Bitbucket | Gitea | GHE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Shorthand (owner/repo) | Yes | No | No | No | Yes |
| Full HTTPS URL | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| SSH URL | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Subdirectory | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
skillshare search | Yes | No | No | No | No |
Related
- Install command — full install options and examples