# Install the iMario Agent Skill

> Add the companion research instructions to an external agent after connecting MCP.

Source: https://imario.ai/docs/agent-setup/install-skill

## What you are installing

The `imario` skill teaches an external agent to choose an audience, price a study and ask before spending, run it, and report what respondents said with counts and quotes. It also tells the agent when to stay out: desk research, market sizing and data you already have. It requires the iMario MCP connection.

The skill is published at [github.com/laugherxiao/imario-skills](https://github.com/laugherxiao/imario-skills). It follows the open Agent Skills format: `SKILL.md` holds the workflow and the rules that always apply, and `references/` holds the details the agent reads only when a task needs them.

[Connect MCP](https://imario.ai/docs/agent-setup/mcp) first and check that it lists your audiences.

## Let the agent install it (Claude Code, Codex, Cursor)

Paste `Connect iMario to this agent: imario.ai/SKILL.md` into Claude Code, Codex or Cursor. It does not work in ChatGPT or claude.ai, which read a page but do not act on it; there, [add the connector](https://imario.ai/docs/agent-setup/mcp#1a-approve-a-connection-chatgpt-claude-claude-code-codex-vs-code), and in claude.ai upload the skill as described below. The page at that address is a setup sheet: the agent registers the server, installs this skill with `npx skills add laugherxiao/imario-skills`, and asks you to approve the connection. The manual routes follow.

## Install in Claude Code

```
/plugin marketplace add laugherxiao/imario-skills
/plugin install imario@imario
```

The plugin also registers the server address. Run `/mcp`, select `imario` and choose **Authenticate** to approve the connection if you have not already.

To install without the marketplace, copy the repository's `skills/imario` folder to `~/.claude/skills/`. The resulting path must be `~/.claude/skills/imario/SKILL.md`.

## Install in Codex

Copy the repository's `skills/imario` folder to `~/.agents/skills/`, then restart Codex. Codex reads the skill's `agents/openai.yaml` for its display name, icon and its dependency on the iMario server. Invoke it explicitly with `$imario`, or let Codex pick it from the request.

## Install in Claude (claude.ai and the desktop app)

1. Download the repository and zip the `skills/imario` folder.
2. Open **Customize > Skills**, select **+**, then **Create skill > Upload a skill**, and choose the zip.

Code execution has to be on: **Settings > Capabilities** on Free, Pro and Max, **Organization settings > Skills** on Team and Enterprise.

## Use it from the Claude API or the Agent SDK

Skills do not sync between surfaces. Zip `skills/imario`, upload it with the Skills API, and reference its `skill_id` in the request's container alongside the code execution tool. Anthropic's guide: [Using Agent Skills with the API](https://platform.claude.com/docs/en/build-with-claude/skills-guide).

## Other agents

Put the `skills/imario` folder wherever the agent reads Agent Skills.

## Verify the skill and connection separately

Ask: “Use the iMario skill to list audiences and explain how you would estimate one open question. Do not submit research.”

A useful check has three parts: the client recognizes the skill, MCP returns the real audience list, and the agent explains the estimate before spending. Fluent prose alone does not prove a tool call occurred.

When you later authorize a study, expect the agent to keep your chosen audience, estimate the actual scope, flag incomplete results and give the study's `web_url`. The skill does not lift the workspace's daily limit or anyone's permissions.

## Update or remove

In Claude Code, `/plugin marketplace update imario` fetches the latest version, and `/plugin uninstall imario@imario` removes it. A copied folder is updated by replacing it and removed by deleting it. In Claude, turn the skill off or delete it in **Customize > Skills**.

Removing the skill leaves MCP connected. To end an agent's access to the workspace, disconnect the app or regenerate the API key in **Settings > MCP & API**.

## Privacy and support

The skill stores nothing itself. Studies it starts live in your workspace under iMario's [privacy policy](https://imario.ai/privacy) and [terms](https://imario.ai/terms). Questions go to [support@imario.ai](mailto:support@imario.ai).