Agent Skill Loader MCP Server

Local setup required. This server has to be cloned and prepared on your machine before you register it in Claude Code.
1

Set the server up locally

Run this once to clone and prepare the server before adding it to Claude Code.

Run in terminal
npm install -g agent-skill-loader
2

Register it in Claude Code

After the local setup is done, run this command to point Claude Code at the built server.

Run in terminal
claude mcp add agent-skill-loader -- node "<FULL_PATH_TO_AGENT_SKILL_LOADER>/dist/index.js"

Replace <FULL_PATH_TO_AGENT_SKILL_LOADER>/dist/index.js with the actual folder you prepared in step 1.

README.md

Bridge between static Claude Code Skills library and dynamic AI agents

Agent Skill Loader 🧠

Agent Skill Loader is a Model Context Protocol (MCP) server that acts as a bridge between your static Claude Code Skills library and dynamic AI agents (like Antigravity, Claude Desktop, or Cursor).

It allows agents to "learn" skills on demand without requiring you to manually copy files into every project.

🚀 Features

  • Discovery: list_skills - Scans your configured skill directories.
  • Dynamic Learning: read_skill - Fetches the SKILL.md content for the agent to read.
  • Persistence: install_skill - Copies the skill permanently to your project if needed.
  • Configuration: manage_search_paths - Add/remove skill directories at runtime.
  • Troubleshooting: debug_info - Diagnose configuration and path issues.

🛠️ Setup

Prerequisites

  • Node.js >= 18

Option A: Install from npm (Recommended)

npm install -g agent-skill-loader

Then register in .mcp.json:

"agent-skill-loader": {
  "command": "agent-skill-loader"
}

Option B: Build from Source

git clone https://github.com/back1ply/agent-skill-loader.git
cd agent-skill-loader
npm install
npm run build

Then register in .mcp.json:

"agent-skill-loader": {
  "command": "node",
  "args": ["/build/index.js"]
}

📂 Configuration

The server automatically detects its workspace and aggregates skill paths from:

  1. Default: %USERPROFILE%\.claude\plugins\cache (Standard location)
  2. Dynamic Config: skill-paths.json (Located in the project root)

Dynamic Path Management

You do not need to manually edit config files. Use the tool to manage paths at runtime:

  • Add: manage_search_paths(operation="add", path="F:\\My\\Deep\\Skills")
  • Remove: manage_search_paths(operation="remove", path="...")
  • List: manage_search_paths(operation="list") creates/updates skill-paths.json.

🤖 Usage

For Agents

The agent will see five tools:

  • list_skills(): Returns a JSON list of available skills.
  • read_skill(skill_name): Returns the markdown instructions.
  • install_skill(skill_name, target_path?): Copies the folder to .agent/skills/<name>. For security, target_path must be within the current workspace.
  • manage_search_paths(operation, path?): Add, remove, or list skill search paths.
  • debug_info(): Returns diagnostic information (paths, status, warnings).

Example Agent Prompt

"I need to write a DAX measure but I'm not sure about the best practices."

The agent will automatically call list_skills, find writing-dax-measures, call read_skill, and then answer you with expert knowledge.

🔧 Troubleshooting

If skills aren't being discovered, use debug_info() to see:

  • search_paths: Which directories are being scanned
  • path_status: Whether each path exists and is readable
  • warnings: Any errors encountered during scanning (permission denied, empty files, etc.)

Example output:

{
  "workspace_root": "C:/projects/agent-skill-loader",
  "search_paths": {
    "base": ["C:/Users/pc/.claude/plugins/cache"],
    "dynamic": ["F:/My/Skills"],
    "effective": ["C:/Users/pc/.claude/plugins/cache", "F:/My/Skills"]
  },
  "path_status": [
    { "path": "C:/Users/pc/.claude/plugins/cache", "exists": true, "readable": true },
    { "path": "F:/My/Skills", "exists": false, "readable": false }
  ],
  "skills_found": 12,
  "warnings": [
    { "path": "F:/My/Skills", "reason": "Directory does not exist" }
  ]
}

📦 Project Structure

  • src/index.ts: Main server logic.
  • build/: Compiled JavaScript output.
  • package.json: Dependencies (@modelcontextprotocol/sdk, zod).

🤝 Contributing

To add new skills, simply add a folder with a SKILL.md file to one of the watched directories. The server picks them up automatically (no restart required for new files, though caching implementation may vary).

Tools (5)

list_skillsScans configured skill directories and returns a list of available skills.
read_skillFetches the SKILL.md content for a specific skill.
install_skillCopies a skill permanently to the project workspace.
manage_search_pathsAdd, remove, or list skill search directories at runtime.
debug_infoReturns diagnostic information about paths, status, and configuration.

Configuration

claude_desktop_config.json
{"agent-skill-loader": {"command": "agent-skill-loader"}}

Try it

List all the skills currently available in my library.
Read the instructions for the 'writing-dax-measures' skill.
Install the 'python-best-practices' skill into my current project.
Add a new search path for my custom skills at F:\My\Skills.
Run a debug check to see why my skills aren't being discovered.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the key features of Agent Skill Loader?

Dynamic discovery of skills from multiple configured directories. On-demand reading of skill documentation (SKILL.md). Persistent installation of skills into project workspaces. Runtime management of skill search paths via JSON configuration. Built-in diagnostic tools for troubleshooting path and permission issues.

What can I use Agent Skill Loader for?

Sharing a library of coding best practices across multiple AI-assisted projects. Quickly loading specialized domain knowledge into an agent without manual file management. Maintaining a centralized repository of agent skills that can be updated globally. Troubleshooting configuration issues when agents fail to recognize local skill files.

How do I install Agent Skill Loader?

Install Agent Skill Loader by running: npm install -g agent-skill-loader

What MCP clients work with Agent Skill Loader?

Agent Skill Loader works with any MCP-compatible client including Claude Desktop, Claude Code, Cursor, and other editors with MCP support.

Turn this server into reusable context

Keep Agent Skill Loader docs, env vars, and workflow notes in Conare so your agent carries them across sessions.

Need the old visual installer? Open Conare IDE.
Open Conare