Local Skills
Universal MCP server enabling any LLM or AI agent to utilize expert skills from your local filesystem. Reduces context consumption through lazy loading. Works with Claude, Cline, and any MCP-compatible client.
What is Local Skills?
Local Skills is a Model Context Protocol (MCP) server that allows AI assistants like Claude, Cursor, and VS Code to universal mcp server enabling any llm or ai agent to utilize expert skills from your local filesystem. reduces context consumption through lazy loading. works with claude, cline, and any mcp-compatibl...
Universal MCP server enabling any LLM or AI agent to utilize expert skills from your local filesystem. Reduces context consumption through lazy loading. Works with Claude, Cline, and any MCP-compatible client.
This server falls under the Knowledge & Memory category on MCPgee, the world's largest MCP server directory with 33,000+ servers.
Features
- Universal MCP server enabling any LLM or AI agent to utilize
Use Cases
Maintainer
Works with
Installation
Manual Installation
npx local-skillsConfiguration
Configuration Details
claude_desktop_config.json
Performance
Response Metrics
Resource Usage
How to Set Up and Use Local Skills
Local Skills MCP is a universal server that allows any LLM or AI agent to load expert skill definitions from your local filesystem on demand. Skills are Markdown files with YAML frontmatter stored in well-known directories like ~/.claude/skills/, and the server exposes them via a single get_skill tool that lazy-loads content only when requested — dramatically reducing context consumption compared to injecting all prompts upfront. It works with Claude Desktop, Claude Code, Cline, and any MCP-compatible client.
Prerequisites
- Node.js 18+ installed
- npm or npx available on your PATH
- An MCP-compatible client: Claude Desktop, Claude Code, or Cline
- A skills directory (auto-created at ~/.claude/skills/ or ./skills/)
Install the local-skills-mcp package globally
Install the package so the local-skills-mcp command is available system-wide.
npm install -g local-skills-mcpAdd the server to your MCP client configuration
Edit your claude_desktop_config.json (or equivalent) to register the local-skills server. No API keys are required.
{
"mcpServers": {
"local-skills": {
"command": "local-skills-mcp"
}
}
}Create a skills directory
Create the default global skills directory. The server auto-discovers skills from ~/.claude/skills/ and also ./skills/ in the current project.
mkdir -p ~/.claude/skillsWrite your first skill file
Create a SKILL.md file with YAML frontmatter. The name and description fields are required and tell the AI when to use the skill.
# ~/.claude/skills/python-expert.md
---
name: python-expert
description: Expert Python advice emphasizing clean, idiomatic, PEP-8 compliant code.
---
You are a Python expert. Always prefer list comprehensions over loops, use type hints, and follow PEP-8.Use a custom skills directory (optional)
Set the SKILLS_DIR environment variable in your config to point to a non-standard location.
{
"mcpServers": {
"local-skills": {
"command": "local-skills-mcp",
"env": {
"SKILLS_DIR": "/path/to/my/skills"
}
}
}
}Invoke a skill in conversation
Ask the AI to use a specific skill by name. The server lazy-loads the skill content on demand, keeping context usage minimal.
Local Skills Examples
Client configuration
Basic Claude Desktop config with optional custom skills directory via SKILLS_DIR.
{
"mcpServers": {
"local-skills": {
"command": "local-skills-mcp",
"env": {
"SKILLS_DIR": "/Users/you/my-skills"
}
}
}
}Prompts to try
Example prompts demonstrating how to load and use skills from the local filesystem.
- "Use the python-expert skill to review this function"
- "Use the local-skills-mcp-guide skill to explain how skills work"
- "Create a new skill called sql-optimizer that helps me write efficient SQL queries"
- "Use the code-reviewer skill and check my PR for issues"
- "List all available skills I can use"Troubleshooting Local Skills
The server starts but no skills are found
Ensure skill files end with .md and are placed in one of the auto-discovered directories: ~/.claude/skills/, ./.claude/skills/, or ./skills/. Verify the frontmatter has both 'name' and 'description' fields.
Changes to a skill file are not picked up
The server supports hot reload — changes apply instantly without restarting. If updates are not appearing, verify the file was saved and check that the SKILLS_DIR path is correct.
Skill content does not load when requested
Explicitly ask the AI to 'use the <skill-name> skill' — the AI will call get_skill with that name. Alternatively, run 'npm install -g github:kdpa-llc/local-skills-mcp' for the latest build from source.
Frequently Asked Questions about Local Skills
What is Local Skills?
Local Skills is a Model Context Protocol (MCP) server that universal mcp server enabling any llm or ai agent to utilize expert skills from your local filesystem. reduces context consumption through lazy loading. works with claude, cline, and any mcp-compatible client. It connects AI assistants to external tools and data sources through a standardized interface.
How do I install Local Skills?
Follow the installation instructions on the Local Skills GitHub repository. Clone the repo, install dependencies, and add the server config to your AI client.
Which AI clients work with Local Skills?
Local Skills works with all major MCP-compatible AI clients including Claude Desktop, Claude Code, Cursor, VS Code (GitHub Copilot), Windsurf, and Cline.
Is Local Skills free to use?
Yes, Local Skills is open source and available under the MIT license. You can use it freely in both personal and commercial projects.
Local Skills Alternatives — Similar Knowledge & Memory Servers
Looking for alternatives to Local Skills? Here are other popular knowledge & memory servers you can use with Claude, Cursor, and VS Code.
MemPalace
★ 52.6kA local AI memory system that stores all conversations verbatim and organizes them into navigable structures. It provides 19 MCP tools for AI assistants to search and retrieve past decisions, debugging sessions, and architecture debates automatically
Kratos
★ 25.7k🏛️ Memory System for AI Coding Tools - Never explain your codebase again. MCP server with perfect project isolation, 95.8% context accuracy, and the Four Pillars Framework.
Context Mode
★ 15.4kAn MCP server that preserves LLM context by intercepting large data outputs and returning only concise summaries or relevant sections. It enables efficient sandboxed code execution, file processing, and documentation indexing across multiple programm
Memu
★ 13.7kMemory for 24/7 proactive agents like OpenClaw.
MemOS
★ 9.3kMemOS (Memory Operating System) is a memory management operating system designed for AI applications. Its goal is: to enable your AI system to have long-term memory like a human, not only remembering what users have said but also actively invoking, u
Everos
★ 5.4kBuild, evaluate, and integrate long-term memory for self-evolving agents.
Browse More Knowledge & Memory MCP Servers
Explore all knowledge & memory servers available in the MCPgee directory. Each server includes setup guides for Claude, Cursor, and VS Code.
Set Up Local Skills in Your Editor
Choose your AI client for step-by-step setup instructions.
Quick Config Preview
Add this to your claude_desktop_config.json or .cursor/mcp.json
Ready to use Local Skills?
Browse our complete directory of 33,000+ MCP servers, read setup guides for your editor, and start building with the Model Context Protocol.