librarian
Cache and refresh remote git repositories under /.cache/checkouts/ / / so future references can reuse a local copy. Use this skill when the user points you to a remote git repository as reference or you encountered a remote git repo through other means.
- Installs
- 159
- Last 24h
- —
- Trending rank
- —
- Security
- Not audited
Install
Works with every agent the skills CLI supports.
npx skills add https://github.com/mitsuhiko/agent-stuff --skill librarian- 01
Install
Run the command in your project. The CLI asks which agents to install for.
- 02
Describe the task
Ask your agent for something this skill covers. It loads librarian automatically when relevant.
- 03
Review the result
The agent follows the SKILL.md steps, scripts and references bundled with the skill.
SKILL.md
The instructions your agent reads when the skill is triggered.
Use this skill when the user points you to a remote git repository (GitHub/GitLab/Bitbucket URLs, git@..., or owner/repo shorthand).
The goal is to keep a reusable local checkout that is:
- stable (predictable path)
- up to date (periodic fetch + fast-forward when safe)
- efficient (partial clone with
--filter=blob:none, no repeated full clones)
Cache location
Repositories are stored at:
~/.cache/checkouts/<host>/<org>/<repo>
Example:
github.com/mitsuhiko/minijinja → ~/.cache/checkouts/github.com/mitsuhiko/minijinja
Command
bash checkout.sh <repo> --path-only
Examples:
bash checkout.sh mitsuhiko/minijinja --path-only
bash checkout.sh github.com/mitsuhiko/minijinja --path-only
bash checkout.sh https://github.com/mitsuhiko/minijinja --path-only
The script will:
- Parse the repo reference into host/org/repo.
- Clone if missing.
- Reuse existing checkout if present.
- Fetch from
originwhen stale (default interval: 300s). - Attempt a fast-forward merge if the checkout is clean and has an upstream.
Update strategy
- Default behavior is throttled refresh (every 5 minutes) to avoid unnecessary network calls.
- Force immediate refresh with:
bash checkout.sh <repo> --force-update --path-only
Recommended workflow
- Resolve repository path via
checkout.sh --path-only. - Use that path for searching, reading, and analysis.
- On later references to the same repo, call
checkout.shagain; it will find and update the cached checkout.
If edits are needed
Prefer not to edit directly in the shared cache. Create a separate worktree or copy from the cached checkout for task-specific modifications.
Notes
owner/repodefaults togithub.com.
FAQ
What does the librarian skill do?
Cache and refresh remote git repositories under /.cache/checkouts/ / / so future references can reuse a local copy. Use this skill when the user points you to a remote git repository as reference or you encountered a remote git repo through other means.
How do I install librarian?
Run npx skills add https://github.com/mitsuhiko/agent-stuff --skill librarian in your project. The skills CLI detects the agents you use and copies the skill into the right folder. For Claude Code you can also place the skill folder at ~/.claude/skills/librarian/ (personal) or .claude/skills/librarian/ (project).
Which AI agents can use librarian?
Any agent that supports the open Agent Skills format (a folder with a SKILL.md file), including Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, GitHub Copilot, Gemini CLI, Windsurf, Cline, OpenCode and more.
Is librarian safe to install?
No partner security audit is available yet. Skills can run commands and scripts, so read the SKILL.md and any bundled files before installing.
Who maintains librarian?
It is published by mitsuhiko in mitsuhiko/agent-stuff. It has 159 recorded installs.
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