mthds-install

Original：🇺🇸 English
Translated

Install MTHDS method packages from GitHub or local directories. Use when user says "install a method", "install from GitHub", "add a method package", "mthds install", "install method", "set up a method", or wants to install an MTHDS method package for use with an AI agent.

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Sourcemthds-ai/skills
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NPX Install

npx skill4agent add mthds-ai/skills mthds-install

Tags

Translated version includes tags in frontmatter
mthds-installationai-agentcli-toolmethod-packagegithub-install

SKILL.md Content

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Install MTHDS method packages

Install method packages from GitHub or local directories using the 
mthds-agent
CLI.

Process

Step 0 — CLI Check (mandatory, do this FIRST)

Run 
mthds-agent --version
. The minimum required version is 0.0.13 (declared in this skill's front matter as 
min_mthds_version
).
  • If the command is not found: STOP. Do not proceed. Tell the user:
The 
mthds-agent
CLI is required but not installed. Install it with:
npm install -g mthds
Then re-run this skill.
  • If the version is below 0.0.13: STOP. Do not proceed. Tell the user:
This skill requires 
mthds-agent
version 0.0.13 or higher (found X.Y.Z). Upgrade with:
npm install -g mthds@latest
Then re-run this skill.
  • If the version is 0.0.13 or higher: proceed to the next step.
Do not attempt manual installation. The CLI handles resolution, file placement, shim generation, and runtime setup.
No backend setup needed: This skill works without configuring inference backends or API keys. You can start building/validating methods right away. Backend configuration is only needed to run methods with live inference — use 
/pipelex-setup
when you're ready.

Step 1: Identify the Source

Determine where the method package lives:
SourceSyntaxExample
GitHub (short)
org/repo
mthds-ai/contract-analysis
GitHub (full URL)
https://github.com/org/repo
https://github.com/mthds-ai/contract-analysis
Local directory
--local <path>
--local ./my-methods/
If the user provides a GitHub URL or 
org/repo
string, use it as the address argument. If they point to a local directory, use 
--local
.

Step 2: Choose Install Parameters

FlagRequiredValuesDescription
--agent
Yes
claude-code
, 
cursor
, 
codex
AI agent to install for
--location
Yes
local
, 
global
local
= project 
.claude/methods/
, 
global
= 
~/.claude/methods/
--method <name>
Nomethod nameInstall only one method from a multi-method package
--skills
No—Also install the MTHDS skills plugin
--no-runner
No—Skip automatic Pipelex runtime installation
Defaults:
  • Use 
    --agent claude-code
    (since this skill runs inside Claude Code)
  • Use 
    --location local
    unless the user explicitly asks for global install

Step 3: Run the Install

From GitHub:
bash
mthds-agent install <org/repo> --agent claude-code --location local
From a local directory:
bash
mthds-agent install --local <path> --agent claude-code --location local
Install a specific method from a multi-method package:
bash
mthds-agent install <org/repo> --agent claude-code --location local --method <name>
Install with skills plugin:
bash
mthds-agent install <org/repo> --agent claude-code --location local --skills

Step 4: Present Results

On success, the CLI returns JSON:
json
{
  "success": true,
  "installed_methods": ["method-name"],
  "location": "local",
  "target_dir": "/path/to/.claude/methods",
  "installed_skills": [],
  "shim_dir": "~/.mthds/bin",
  "shims_generated": ["method-name"]
}
Present to the user:
  • Which methods were installed and where (
    target_dir
    )
  • If CLI shims were generated, note the shim directory and advise adding 
    ~/.mthds/bin
    to PATH if not already present
  • If skills were installed, mention they are now available

Step 5: Handle Errors

When encountering errors, re-run with 
--log-level debug
for additional context:
bash
mthds-agent --log-level debug install <org/repo> --agent claude-code --location local
Common errors:
ErrorCauseFix
--agent is required
Missing 
--agent
flag		Add 
--agent claude-code
--location is required
Missing 
--location
flag		Add 
--location local
or 
--location global
Unknown agent
Invalid agent IDUse one of: 
claude-code
, 
cursor
, 
codex
Failed to resolve methods
GitHub repo not found or no methods in repoVerify the address and that the repo contains METHODS.toml
Method "X" not found
--method
filter doesn't match any method in the package		Check available method names in the package
Failed to install pipelex runtime
Runtime install failed (network, permissions)Retry, or use 
--no-runner
to skip runtime install
For all error types and recovery strategies, see Error Handling Reference.

Reference

  • Error Handling — read when CLI returns an error to determine recovery
  • MTHDS Agent Guide — read for CLI command syntax or output format details