> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.context.dev/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Skill

> Teach your coding agent how to choose and use the Context.dev API.

The Context.dev skill helps a coding agent choose an endpoint, write a valid request, and handle the response. Install it once, then ask the agent to use it when building an integration.

Want the agent to handle setup? Start with [Agent Quickstart](/agent-quickstart).

<Note>
  A skill does not connect to your account or make calls by itself. Use the [MCP server](/install-mcp) for authenticated tools, or provide `CONTEXT_DEV_API_KEY` to a trusted local runtime when the agent needs to run code.
</Note>

## Install

Install into the current project when teammates and automation should use the same checked-in instructions:

```bash theme={null}
npx skills add https://docs.context.dev --skill context-dev --yes
```

Choose a global install when you want the skill available across projects:

```bash theme={null}
npx skills add https://docs.context.dev --skill context-dev --global --yes
```

The installer uses the site's skill index and places or links the skill into supported agents' directories. Add `--agent codex`, for example, to select a specific agent. Use `npx skills add --help` to inspect the current options.

Use the site URL for the installer, not `/skill.md`. The file URL is for review or a manual installation.

## Review before installing

The hosted source is public:

```bash theme={null}
curl --fail --silent --show-error https://docs.context.dev/skill.md
```

For a change-controlled environment, download and review the file, then commit the approved copy to your project instead of automatically following future hosted updates.

## Manual project install

Agents that support the shared `.agents/skills` convention can read this layout:

```bash theme={null}
mkdir -p .agents/skills/context-dev
curl --fail --silent --show-error --location \
  https://docs.context.dev/skill.md \
  --output .agents/skills/context-dev/SKILL.md
```

Agent-specific global paths can change. Confirm the current path in your agent's documentation before a manual global install.

## Verify the skill

Start a fresh agent session in the project and ask:

> Using the Context.dev skill, show the canonical HTTPS request to retrieve a brand from `stripe.com`. Do not run it.

A loaded skill should use `POST /v1/brand/retrieve` with this body:

```json theme={null}
{
  "type": "by_domain",
  "domain": "stripe.com"
}
```

If the agent invents a dedicated domain endpoint or uses a GET request, check that:

* the installed filename is `SKILL.md`;
* the skill directory is one your agent reads;
* the session was restarted after installation;
* another Context.dev instruction file is not shadowing it.

## Run code with your key

The [agent quickstart](/agent-quickstart) can provision and save a key through [auth.md](https://context.dev/auth.md), after you complete the browser claim. For an existing key, expose it to the process through a secret manager, `.envrc`, or ignored environment file:

```bash theme={null}
export CONTEXT_DEV_API_KEY="ctxt_secret_..."
```

Do not paste the key into the skill, agent prompt, repository, or chat transcript. Keep tool approvals enabled for state-changing monitor operations.

## Update the skill

The skill is intentionally concise and routes the agent to the API reference for full schemas. When updating a pinned copy:

1. Review the diff.
2. Confirm canonical Brand, Web, batch, and monitor routes.
3. Re-run your integration tests against the updated SDK or HTTPS contract.
4. Restart the agent session so it reloads the instructions.

## Next steps

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Agent quickstart" icon="robot" href="/agent-quickstart">
    Turn an integration goal into a scoped task for your agent.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Connect MCP" icon="plug" href="/install-mcp">
    Let your agent use live Context.dev tools alongside the skill.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Read the skill" icon="code" href="https://docs.context.dev/skill.md">
    Inspect the public instructions before installing or updating them.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>