intent install

intent install creates or updates an intent-skills guidance block in a project guidance file.

npx @tanstack/intent@latest install [--map] [--dry-run] [--print-prompt] [--global] [--global-only]

npx @tanstack/intent@latest install [--map] [--dry-run] [--print-prompt] [--global] [--global-only]

Options#

• --map: write explicit task-to-skill mappings instead of lightweight loading guidance
• --dry-run: print the generated block without writing files
• --print-prompt: print the agent setup prompt instead of writing files
• --global: include global packages after project packages when --map is passed
• --global-only: install mappings from global packages only when --map is passed

Behavior#

• Writes lightweight skill loading guidance by default.
• Creates AGENTS.md when no managed block exists.
• Updates an existing managed block in a supported config file.
• Preserves all content outside the managed block.
• Scans packages and writes compact when and use mappings only when --map is passed.
• Skips reference, meta, maintainer, and maintainer-only skills in --map mode.
• Writes compact when and use entries instead of load paths in --map mode.
• Verifies the managed block before reporting success.
• Prints No intent-enabled skills found. and does not create a config file when --map finds no actionable skills.

Supported config files: AGENTS.md, CLAUDE.md, .cursorrules, .github/copilot-instructions.md.

Default output#

The default block tells agents to discover skills and load matching guidance on demand:

<!-- intent-skills:start -->
## Skill Loading

Before substantial work:
- Skill check: run `npx @tanstack/intent@latest list`, or use skills already listed in context.
- Skill guidance: if one local skill clearly matches the task, run `npx @tanstack/intent@latest load <package>#<skill>` and follow the returned `SKILL.md`.
- Monorepos: when working across packages, run the skill check from the workspace root and prefer the local skill for the package being changed.
- Multiple matches: prefer the most specific local skill for the package or concern you are changing; load additional skills only when the task spans multiple packages or concerns.
<!-- intent-skills:end -->

<!-- intent-skills:start -->
## Skill Loading

Before substantial work:
- Skill check: run `npx @tanstack/intent@latest list`, or use skills already listed in context.
- Skill guidance: if one local skill clearly matches the task, run `npx @tanstack/intent@latest load <package>#<skill>` and follow the returned `SKILL.md`.
- Monorepos: when working across packages, run the skill check from the workspace root and prefer the local skill for the package being changed.
- Multiple matches: prefer the most specific local skill for the package or concern you are changing; load additional skills only when the task spans multiple packages or concerns.
<!-- intent-skills:end -->

Mapping output#

--map writes compact skill identities:

<!-- intent-skills:start -->
# Skill mappings - load `use` with `npx @tanstack/intent@latest load <use>`.
skills:
  - when: "Query data fetching patterns"
    use: "@tanstack/query#fetching"
<!-- intent-skills:end -->

<!-- intent-skills:start -->
# Skill mappings - load `use` with `npx @tanstack/intent@latest load <use>`.
skills:
  - when: "Query data fetching patterns"
    use: "@tanstack/query#fetching"
<!-- intent-skills:end -->

• when: task-routing phrase for agents
• use: portable skill identity in <package>#<skill> format
• The block does not store load paths, absolute paths, or package-manager-internal paths

Status messages#

• Created: Created AGENTS.md with 1 mapping.
• Updated: Updated AGENTS.md with 2 mappings.
• Unchanged: No changes to AGENTS.md; 2 mappings already current.
• Guidance created: Created AGENTS.md with skill loading guidance.
• Guidance unchanged: No changes to AGENTS.md; skill loading guidance already current.
• Placement tip: Tip: Keep the intent-skills block near the top of AGENTS.md so agents read it before task-specific instructions.
• No actionable skills in --map mode: No intent-enabled skills found.

Related#

• intent list
• intent load
• Quick Start for Consumers