There are three ways to install Well-Architected skills into your AI coding tool. skills.sh via npx and the bootstrap scripts require no local clone — they download the repo to a temporary directory, run the installer, and clean up. The local install script (Documentation Index
Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://mintlify.com/aws-samples/sample-well-architected-skills-and-steering/llms.txt
Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.
install.sh / install.ps1) gives you the most control: symlink support, selective tool targeting, uninstall, and update checking. All three methods auto-detect which AI coding tools are configured in your project.
skills.sh (npx)
One-liner via
npx skills add. No clone required. Auto-detects tools. Supports global installs.Bootstrap Script
curl | bash for macOS/Linux or a PowerShell one-liner for Windows. No clone required. Cleans up after itself.Local Install Script
Clone the repo, then run
install.sh or install.ps1. Supports symlinks, multi-tool installs, uninstall, and update checks.Prerequisites
No AWS credentials, no API calls, and no cloud setup is required. Installation is entirely local. You just need:- Your AI coding tool already configured in your project (e.g. Cursor open,
.claude/present,.kiro/initialized) bash(macOS/Linux) or PowerShell 5.1+ (Windows)curlandtarfor the bootstrap script method, ornode/npxfor skills.shgitif you are cloning the repo for the local install method
Method comparison
| Method | Requires clone | Auto-detects tools | Symlink support |
|---|---|---|---|
| skills.sh (npx) | No | Yes | No |
| Bootstrap script | No | Yes | No |
| install.sh / install.ps1 | Yes | Yes (--tool auto) | Yes |
install.sh options reference
The following options are accepted byinstall.sh on macOS and Linux.
| Option | Description |
|---|---|
--tool TOOL | Target tool. Can be repeated. Valid values: kiro, kiro-cli, claude-code, cursor, codex, windsurf, github-copilot, cline, gemini-cli, antigravity, junie, amp, openclaw, devops-agent, auto, all |
--symlink | Use symlinks instead of copies — repo updates propagate automatically without reinstalling |
--global | Install to home directory (~/CLAUDE.md, ~/.kiro/, etc.) and apply to all projects |
--force | Overwrite existing files without prompting |
--uninstall | Remove previously installed Well-Architected files from the target directory |
--check-update | Check if a newer version is available on GitHub |
--help | Show the usage message and exit |
install.ps1 parameters reference
The following parameters are accepted byinstall.ps1 on Windows PowerShell.
| Parameter | Description |
|---|---|
-TargetDir | Project directory to install into (default: current directory) |
-Tool | Target tool(s). Accepts a comma-separated list. Valid values: kiro, kiro-cli, claude-code, cursor, codex, windsurf, github-copilot, cline, gemini-cli, antigravity, junie, amp, openclaw, devops-agent, auto, all |
-Symlink | Use symlinks instead of copies (requires elevated permissions on Windows) |
-Global | Install to home directory (%USERPROFILE%\CLAUDE.md, etc.) and apply to all projects |
-Force | Overwrite existing files without prompting |
Global installs place files in your home directory — for example
~/CLAUDE.md, ~/.kiro/, ~/.cursor/, ~/.junie/ — and apply to all projects that don’t have their own project-level configuration. Use project-level installation (the default) if you only want Well-Architected guidance for specific projects. The installer prompts before overwriting existing files unless --force / -Force is supplied.