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How to use the degit Project Scaffolder agent skill

Updated · written with AI from the project's own documentation and checked against our catalogue data

The degit skill teaches an AI agent to scaffold a new project by copying a snapshot of a repository or template into a local folder, using the degit command-line tool. It is aimed at developers who want a starter project without the original commit history. After this guide, you will know what the skill does, how to install it, how to phrase requests so the agent triggers it, and which safety settings matter.

degit Project ScaffolderRich-Harris/degit · MIT

Quick start

  1. 1Download and unzip the skill. Download the ZIP from this page and unzip it into ~/.claude/skills/ or your project's .claude/skills/ folder. Or upload it under Settings → Capabilities → Skills in the Claude apps.
  2. 2Check Node.js and npx. Make sure Node.js with npx is available so the skill can run npx degit@latest. Install degit globally only if you prefer that.
  3. 3Describe the template and destination. Ask for the scaffold in plain language, naming the repository, any branch, and the folder you want to create.
  4. 4Confirm the destination is empty. The agent checks that the destination is empty and asks before any potentially destructive command, such as one using --force.
  5. 5Review the result. Look through the copied files. Note that the copy has no git history, so the folder is not linked to the original repository.
  6. 6Handle template actions carefully. If the template has a degit.json, decide whether to run its actions. For unfamiliar templates, have the agent use --no-actions.

What the degit skill makes the agent do

Agent skills are instruction packages that Claude can load when a task matches them. This one is about project scaffolding. Once it is installed, the agent knows how to use degit, a command-line tool that downloads a snapshot of a repository into a local folder without its git history.

The agent starts with the smallest command that fits your request, checks that the destination is empty, and can explain options such as branches, subfolders, cached copies, aliases and post-download template actions.

  • Sources can be GitHub, GitLab, Bitbucket, Sourcehut or Gist repositories.
  • The destination defaults to the current directory and must be empty.
  • The skill discourages --force unless you explicitly want to overwrite files.

Install the degit skill

Download the ZIP file for the skill from this page. The skill is a single file, SKILL.md. You can install it in one of two ways.

For a personal skill available in all your projects, unzip it into ~/.claude/skills/. For a skill that only applies to one project, unzip it into that project's .claude/skills/ folder.

In the Claude apps, you can instead upload the skill under Settings → Capabilities → Skills.

  • Personal: ~/.claude/skills/
  • Project only: .claude/skills/ inside your project folder
  • Claude apps: Settings → Capabilities → Skills, then upload

Requirements: Node.js, npx and optional git

The skill runs degit through npx, so you need Node.js with npx available. It uses npx degit@latest unless you have installed degit globally.

Git is only needed for SSH or private repository access. In that case, git must be on your PATH and you need working repository credentials. Public repositories do not require them.

  • Node.js with npx (to run npx degit@latest), or degit installed globally
  • git on PATH, only for SSH or private repositories
  • Repository credentials, only for SSH or private repositories

Trigger the skill with natural requests

You do not need to type a command. Describe what you want in plain language and mention the template or repository, and where you want it. The agent will pick the matching command.

If the source, branch, destination or whether the destination is empty is unknown, the skill asks before running anything potentially destructive. Giving those details up front speeds things up.

  • "Scaffold a new project in my-project from the user/starter template."
  • "Copy only the src folder of user/repo into ./app."
  • "Set up a project from the main branch of this GitHub URL in a new folder."

Common degit commands the agent uses

These are the basic forms the skill starts with. The first command copies into the current directory, the second into a named folder, and the third selects a branch.

  • Use --cache to require a cached copy with no network access.
  • Use --verbose to diagnose failures.
  • Use --files <paths> or -F <paths> to copy only specific files or directories.
npx degit@latest user/repo npx degit@latest user/repo my-project npx degit@latest user/repo#branch my-project

Create reusable shortcuts for your templates

If your team uses the same internal template often, create an alias. Then you can run degit with just the alias name. Use degit ls to list aliases and degit unalias to remove one.

Templates that need changes after download can include a top-level degit.json file. The skill explains that it can use clone, search_replace and remove actions. search_replace reads its replacement value from a named environment variable.

  • Create: degit alias <repo> <name>, then degit <name>
  • List: degit ls
  • Remove: degit unalias <name>
degit alias <repo> <name> degit <name>

Safety notes: scripts, network and untrusted templates

This skill runs scripts and uses the network. Downloaded degit.json actions run automatically and are controlled by the template, so they can change files in your project.

For templates you have not reviewed, ask the agent to use --no-actions to skip actions, or --allow-env <names> to limit which environment variables search_replace may read. Review a template before you trust it, and do not overwrite a non-empty folder without checking its contents first.

  • Use --no-actions for untrusted templates.
  • Use --allow-env <names> to restrict environment variable access.
  • Avoid --force unless you have reviewed what it would overwrite.
  • Use --cache for a no-network run when a cached copy exists.

What people use it for

  • Start a new web app from a team's internal starter template.
  • Copy only a specific folder, such as src or docs, from a larger repository.
  • Create a short alias for a frequently used company boilerplate.
  • Make a clean copy of a public repository without its commit history.

Frequently asked questions

How do I install the degit agent skill?

Download the ZIP from this page and unzip it into ~/.claude/skills/ for personal use, or into a project's .claude/skills/ folder for one project. You can also upload it in the Claude apps under Settings → Capabilities → Skills.

What do I need to run degit?

You need Node.js with npx so the skill can run npx degit@latest, or degit installed globally. Git on PATH and repository credentials are only needed for SSH or private repositories.

Is degit free to use?

The skill is MIT licensed. The source does not state pricing for other parts of the ecosystem, so check the licence on the source repository for full terms.

What is the difference between degit and git clone?

degit makes a one-time snapshot without git history, so the copy cannot pull upstream updates. If you want a linked copy that can fetch changes, use git clone instead.

Why won't degit copy into my folder?

degit requires the destination to be empty. Choose a new folder name, or review the existing contents before overwriting. The skill does not suggest --force unless you explicitly want to overwrite.

How can I troubleshoot a failed degit download?

Ask the agent to run with --verbose to diagnose the failure. If the network is unreachable, use --cache to fall back to a cached copy, if one exists. For private repositories, confirm git is on PATH and your credentials work.

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Our verdict

Use this skill if you regularly start projects from templates and want a clean copy without git history, especially with team shortcuts. Pick git clone instead if you need to keep pulling updates from the original repository, and be cautious with any template whose degit.json actions you have not reviewed.

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