Install your first skill in 3 steps

Pick a free skill

Data Story is a free skill that turns a CSV into an animated chart story. It exports 16:9, 9:16 and 1:1 cuts. There is no account and no card. The whole install is a prompt and a paste.

The terminal is the text window where you type commands. You only need it for the CLI route later. For the copy route, stay in your agent chat.

Before you start

Open your agent inside the folder where you keep the files. Claude Code, Codex, Gemini CLI and OpenCode start from a terminal:

• Claude Code: run claude.
• Codex: run codex.
• Gemini CLI: run gemini.
• OpenCode: run opencode.
• Cursor: open the Agent chat with ⌘I or Ctrl+I.

You do not need to write code. The agent reads the prompt, finds the right skills folder and handles the install. Folders differ by agent: ~/.claude/skills, ~/.cursor/skills, ~/.agents/skills for Codex and OpenCode, and ~/.gemini/skills for Gemini CLI.

Step 1: Copy the prompt

Open the Data Story page from skills. Click Copy install prompt. The site copies a short instruction that tells your agent to install the skill and run a test.

The prompt works across agents. There is no flag to remember on this route. Paste the same text into Claude Code, Cursor, Codex, Gemini CLI or OpenCode.

Step 2: Paste and press Enter

Paste with ⌘V or Ctrl+V, then press Enter. The agent reads the install guide, picks the right directory and writes the skill files. It also checks for Node, FFmpeg and Chrome.

Free skills need no login. A Pro skill would open a browser sign-in on first install. Data Story is free, so the test should start straight away.

The agent finishes with a quick test render. That is the proof the skill is in place and the local tools work.

Step 3: Run a real test

Put a small CSV in the project folder. Ask the agent:

Use data-story on revenue.csv, highlight the Q3 jump, and export a 30-second 16:9 plus a 9:16 version.

Watch the agent work. It inspects the file, agrees a headline, animates the chart and renders the cuts. Open the vertical file and check it on a phone. The safe-zone guide explains what to look for.

If it fails

Run the doctor check:

npx skillnai doctor data-story

It checks Node 20 or newer, FFmpeg, Chrome, permissions and the expected install path. Fix whatever it flags, then ask the agent to try again.

Other quick checks:

• Confirm the agent is open in the project folder.
• Check that the CSV name in your prompt matches the file.
• Copy the prompt again if the agent stopped halfway.
• Make sure the agent can write to its skills folder.

The doctor never asks for passwords, API keys or tokens. Free skills never need them at all.

The CLI alternative

The CLI is the same install without the chat. Run this in your terminal:

npx skillnai add data-story --agent claude-code

Swap the last flag for your agent: --agent cursor, --agent codex, --agent gemini-cli or --agent opencode. Then run npx skillnai doctor data-story to confirm the setup.

npx runs the Skillnai package without a permanent global install. The command writes the same files as the copy route, so you can switch between them at any time. The install guide lists every command.

Once it works, browse skills for the next one. Free skills stay free, and Pro adds the rest. Pricing has the details.