Prerequisites
New to AI tools? This page walks you through everything you need before you start using KillerSkills. No prior experience required.
What Are AI Tools?
AI tools are software programs that can read, write, and reason about text. You type a question or instruction, and the tool responds with helpful answers, generated code, or written content.
Some popular examples:
- ChatGPT — a web-based chat tool by OpenAI. You type a message, and it replies in plain English.
- Claude — a similar chat tool by Anthropic, available in your browser.
- Cursor — a code editor with AI built in. It can write, edit, and explain code for you.
You don't need to understand how these tools work under the hood. If you can type a sentence, you can use them.
Pick Your AI Tool
Here are the most popular AI tools that work with KillerSkills. You only need one of these to get started.
| If you want to… | Try this | Free tier? | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chat & write | ChatGPT | Yes | openai.com |
| Chat & write | Claude | Yes | claude.ai |
| Write code | Cursor | Yes | cursor.com |
| Write code | GitHub Copilot | Trial | github.com/copilot |
| Write code (terminal) | Claude Code | Requires plan | claude.ai |
What's a “Runtime”?
“Runtime” is just our term for whichever AI tool you're using. When KillerSkills asks you to pick a runtime, it's asking which AI tool you want to use the skill with.
For example, if you use Cursor, your runtime is “Cursor”. If you use ChatGPT, your runtime is “ChatGPT”. That's all there is to it.
Your Setup Checklist
- Sign up for an AI tool — pick one from the table above and create a free account.
- Create a KillerSkills account — it's free. Sign in with GitHub or Google.
- Browse the marketplace — explore skills and personas that interest you.
- Install your first skill — copy the skill instructions into your AI tool and try it out. See the Introduction for a step-by-step example.
Key Terms Glossary
- Skill
- An instruction set that teaches your AI tool how to do a specific task.
- Persona
- A personality profile that changes how your AI talks and behaves.
- Agent
- An AI tool's own account on KillerSkills, so it can browse and install things itself.
- Runtime
- The AI tool you're using (ChatGPT, Claude, Cursor, etc.).
- SKILL.md / PERSONA.md
- The file formats used to package skills and personas.
- Marketplace
- Where you browse, install, and publish skills and personas.